Victim Services Liaison Unit

The Victim Services Liaison Unit of the Harrisonburg Police Department has been implemented to benefit victims and witnesses of crime. We aim to reduce trauma and confusion by explaining the criminal process and providing needed services.

A criminal investigation can be complex and lengthy and involve several agencies. You can request the investigation status by contacting the investigator handling the case. It is crucial to keep investigators
and your victim/witness liaison informed of any changes to your address, email, or telephone number.

**The HPD VSLU does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, gender, or handicap in service delivery.**

The Emotional Impact of Crime
Many victims and witnesses of a crime are emotionally affected by their experience. Although everyone reacts differently, many people report common reactions, such as:

• Anger
• Feelings of panic and/or anxiety
• Nightmares and sleep pattern changes
• Feelings of self-doubt, shame, or quilt;
• Reliving what happened
• Depression, difficulty concentrating, and increased concern for personal & family safety

Victim Services can assist you in finding appropriate support services.

Victim Services Offered:

• Crisis intervention
• Information about Victim's Rights and Services
• Referral for emergency services (financial aid, transportation, food, housing, etc.)
• Referrals for short and long-term counseling
• Assistance with filing crime victims' compensation claims
• Information and assistance on security options/safety planning
• Emergency Protective Order
• Interpreter Services
• Counseling and advocacy referral for self-help support groups, individual counseling, and intervention with employers, academic institutions, creditors, service providers, and landlords
• Regular updates on the status of the investigation
• Basic information on the criminal justice system

Victim Rights

As a victim or witness of a crime, you have certain rights under Virginia's Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act (§ 19.2-11.01 Code of Virginia). There are specific steps you must take to receive these rights. Your local Victim/Witness Program, Commonwealth Attorney's Office, police department, or sheriff's office are among the agencies that can help and can provide further information about your rights. These rights include:

• Timely notice of all proceedings (upon request);
• Be heard in any proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, or consideration of pardon,  commutation granting of reprieve, or other matter concerning the right of a victim;
• Be present at all proceedings, other than Grand Jury;
• Be treated with fairness/respect for your dignity and privacy
• Timely notice of release or escape of the accused;
• Have the safety of the victim and victim's family considered in setting bail, defendant's release, and conditions of release;
• Receive restitution as provided by law
• Be informed of these rights and standing to assert these rights.
• Protection/Financial Assistance /Notification/Victim Input/Courtroom Assistance

Resources for Victims of Crime 

If you have an immediate concern regarding your personal safety or the safety of someone you know, please dial 911 or call the non-emergency number 540-434-4436.  

Courts and Legal Resources 

Rockingham County Sheriff's Office - 540-564-3800

Commonwealth Attorney's Office- 540-564-3350

Magistrate- 540-564-3848

General District Court- 540-564-3130

Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court- 540-564-3370

Circuit Court- 540-564-3118

Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail- 540-564-3850

Blue Ridge Legal Services- 540-433-1830

Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance- 1-800-838-8238

Support Services

First-Step Domestic Violence Shelter- 540-434-0295

The Collins Center- 540-434-2272

Community Counseling Center- 540-433-1546

Community Services Board- 540-434-1941

Strength In Peers Harm Reduction Services- 540-217-0869

Centralized Housing Intake- 540-217-1701

Mercy House- 540-432-1812

Social Services- 540-574-5100

Mental Health Resources

CSB: Emergency Mental Health Resources- 540-434-1766

Suicide Hotline- 9-8-8 

Resources for Students 

JMU Campus Police- 540-568-6913

JMU Counseling Center- 540-568-6552

JMU Victim Advocates- 540-568-6251

EMU Campus Security- 540-432-4911

EMU Counseling Center- 540-432-4317

Victim Assistance Programs

Identity Theft Passport Program 

Virginia Victim Fund- The VVF is a state program created to help victims of violent crime without packed expenses. These can include medical bills, prescriptions, funeral expenses, and many other expenses.

Virginia Victim Assistance Network- VVAN is the only statewide nonprofit organization that provides services to victims of any crime, and it is the sole membership and network organization for systems-based victim assistance programs that help crime victims throughout the Commonwealth.

Victim & Witness Protection- The Victim-Witness Program supports and aids crime victims, families, and witnesses throughout the court process, empowering witnesses to testify while complying with the Virginia Constitutional Crime Victims' Bills of Rights and the Crime Victim and Witness Rights Act.

I-CAN! Virginia- I-CAN is a free online program that assists with preparing court forms required to file a protective order.

VINE- VINE is the nation's leading victim notification network. It allows survivors, victims of crime, and other concerned citizens to access timely and reliable information about offenders or criminal cases in U.S. jails and prisons. You can register to receive automated notifications via email, text, or phone call or check custody status information online anytime.