Full Text
CRIME VICTIM AND WITNESS Rights & Resource Guide Resources VicƟm Resources Crime VicƟm CompensaƟon (800) 762‐3716, www.crimevicƟms.lni.wa.gov Washington CoaliƟon of Crime VicƟm Advocates (360) 456‐3858, www.wccva.org Washington State Office of the AƩorney General www.atg.wa.gov VineLink (Inmate Custody Status Updates) (877) 846‐3492, www.vinelink.com U‐Visa/T‐Visa ApplicaƟon InformaƟon www.uscis.gov DomesƟc Violence VicƟm Resources Puyallup DomesƟc Violence VicƟm Advocate (253) 841‐5598 WA State DV Helpline (800) 562‐6025 Judson Family JusƟce Center (253) 798‐4166 or (800) 764‐2420 www.aplaceoĬelp.com YWCA of Pierce County (253) 272‐4181 or (253) 383‐2593 (24‐hour) JBLM Family Advocacy Program (253) 966‐SAFE Sexual Assault VicƟm Resources Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County (253) 474‐7273, www.sexualassaultcenter.com ID TheŌ VicƟm Resources www.consumer.gov/idtheŌ Rights of VicƟms, Survivors and Witnesses RCW 7.69.030 Officer Name: Date: Case Crime VicƟm Rights As a vicƟm of crime, you have a right to be: Free from inƟmidaƟon, harm or threats; told about available compensaƟon for court appearances; told about social service agencies which can help you; and, assisted by criminal jusƟce agencies. Witness Rights The Puyallup Police Department is commiƩed to providing guidance and assistance to the vicƟms and witnesses of crime. The employees of the Puyallup Police Department will show compassion and understanding for vicƟms and witnesses and will make reasonable efforts to provide the support and informaƟon idenƟfied in this brochure. Crime Victim and Witness Rights & Resource Guide 30-33 R(12-16) ---PAGE BREAK--- Sexual Assault VicƟm InformaƟon VicƟms are enƟtled to all of the rights under RCW 7.69.030. Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County (253) 474‐7273, www.sexualassaultcenter.com Hate Crime VicƟm InformaƟon Hate is a crime. What are the laws? RCW 9A.36.080: A person is guilty of malicious harassment if he/she maliciously and intenƟonally commits the following acts because of his/her percepƟon of the vicƟm’s race, color, religion, ancestry, naƟonal origin, gender, sexual orientaƟon, or mental, physical, or sensory handicap: causes physical injury to the vicƟm or another person; causes physical damage to or destrucƟon of the property of the vicƟm or another person; or threatens a specific person or group and places that person or group in reasonable fear of harm to person or property. Words alone do not consƟtute malicious harassment unless the context or circumstances surrounding the words indicate the words are a threat. What you can do about hate crimes. Physically protect yourself first. Defuse the situaƟon if possible. Do not respond to taunts. Walk away, don’t make yourself vulnerable. Call 911 immediately. Police need to know about the crimes. Note the physical descripƟons of the perpetrators in as much detail as possible. Write down everything that was said and done, the Ɵme, and locaƟon. When you report the incident to police, request a case number for your future reference. If you know the perpetrators, contact Pierce County Superior Court for informaƟon about obtaining a no‐contact or anƟ‐harassment order. If you see something, get involved. Be a witness if someone else is a vicƟm. IdenƟty TheŌ VicƟm InformaƟon In an effort to beƩer assist the ciƟzens of Puyallup who have been vicƟmized by idenƟty theŌ, the following steps are provided to help in the prevenƟon of and recovery from idenƟty theŌ. Step 1: Contact your local police department to file a report. The designated case number issued by police will be needed by other agencies to further assist you. Any and all documentaƟon you have collected will be needed for the police report. Step 2: Report the ID theŌ to your banking establishment and creditors (credit cards, department store charge cards, etc). You may need to cancel accounts and get new accounts issued. Step 3: Call one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert. Placing a fraud alert will not allow the suspect to open any new credit accounts. Once the fraud alert is in place, the credit bureau you reported with will noƟfy the other two credit bureaus. Equifax: www.lern.equifax.com (800) 685‐1111 Experian: www.experian.com (888) 397‐3742 TransUnion: www.transunion.com (800) 680‐7289 Step 4: Contact the US Federal Trade Commission to report idenƟty theŌ. FTC: www.consumer.gov/idtheŌ (877) ‐ IDTHEFT Step 5: Contact Washington Department of Licensing. DOL: www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense (360) 902‐3900 Washington State Crime VicƟms CompensaƟon Act Washington state law allows for the aid of an innocent crime vicƟm suffering bodily injury to obtain medical and work loss benefits. Sexual assault examinaƟons are also a covered expense per RCW. The Department of Labor and Industries will determine eligibility based on established criteria. Crime VicƟm CompensaƟon contact informaƟon is listed under Resources. VicƟms of domesƟc violence, sexual assault or stalking, as defined in RCW 49.76.020, shall be noƟfied of their right to reasonable leave from employment under RCW 49.76. ProtecƟon Orders As a vicƟm of domesƟc violence or other violent crimes, you can peƟƟon for an order of protecƟon at Superior Court in the County‐City Building (930 Tacoma Avenue, Tacoma WA). Financial assistance may be available depending on eligibility. VicƟms of DomesƟc Violence If you are the vicƟm of domesƟc violence, you can ask the city or county prosecuƟng aƩorney to file a criminal complaint. You also have the right to file a peƟƟon in superior, district or municipal court requesƟng an order for protecƟon from domesƟc abuse, which could include any of the following: An order restraining your abuser from further acts of abuse; an order direcƟng your abuser to leave your household; an order prevenƟng your abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment; an order awarding you or the other parent custody of, or visitaƟon with, your minor children; and an order restraining your abuser from molesƟng or interfering with minor children in your custody.