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Comfort House (Sexual Assault Treatment and Child Advocacy Center) Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence |
How does the Victim Advocate help me?
The Victim Advocate will keep you informed of court dates, tell you when you need to go to court, assist you in seeking restitution, help you fill out a Victim Impact Statement, and accompany you to court.
What is a Victim Impact Statement?
A Victim Impact Statement is a form given to victims to fill out. This form lets the court know how the crime has affected the victim. It also gives the victim an opportunity to express what type of sentence they feel the defendant should receive.
How can I get a restraining order?
The state of Indiana no longer issues restraining orders. Indiana now has Protective Orders. A Protective Order (PO) is a civil order that can only be issued as a result of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses. Anyone who has been the victim of these crimes can petition the court for a PO. Criminal charges do not have to be filed in order for a person to obtain a PO. Paperwork for a PO can be obtained in the Clerk’s office.
A second type of order, a No Contact Order (NCO), can only be issued by the court. These orders are issued as a condition of pretrial release/bail, a condition of probation, a condition of pretrial diversion, or a condition of CHINS cases.
How much does a Protective Order cost?
Protective Orders and No Contact Orders are free.
What if I want to drop my Protective Order?
In order to have a Protective Order dismissed, the petitioner must contact the court in which the order was issued.
Since I am the victim, can I get the charges dropped?
No. After a report is made to the police, it is up to the Prosecutor to either file or dismiss charges. A victim may contact the Victim Advocate and discuss any concerns he/she may have, but only the Prosecutor can dismiss charges.
I have medical bills that resulted from this crime. Is there any assistance available for this?
Yes! The Indiana Justice Institute has made money available for qualifying victims through the Indiana Violent Crime Compensation Fund. This fund can provide compensation for any out-of-pocket medical expenses that a victim my have incurred as a direct result of a crime. The Victim Advocate has the application form available and can assist victims in filling out this paperwork.
Do I have to be present in court for all of the hearings against the defendant?
No. As a victim, you have the right to be present in court, however you are not required to be there unless you have received a subpoena. If you would like to attend a hearing, but do not want to go alone, the Victim Advocate can accompany you to the hearing.