|
The Law Enforcement Advocate’s services
are free and are available to people of every age, gender, race,
national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, relationship
or familial status, physical or mental ability.
Services Available to Victims of
Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault
Phone Support
In-person Accompaniment & Support
Information & Referral Network
Professional Training
-
For
teachers/students, police, court personnel, medical staff, social
services personnel and others involved in dealing with the issue of
domestic and sexual violence.
The following information is meant to be
a brief overview about Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. For
additional information, refer to the resources available at the
top of
the page.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic Violence is a pattern of violent
or dominant behaviors used by a partner to gain control of a
relationship, and it goes far beyond physical injury. It is against the
law for your spouse, intimate partner, ex-partner, or a family member
to:
Domestic violence is something
uncomfortable to talk about, and it is a hard pattern to escape, but it
also something that can be stopped. Domestic Violence is in our
neighborhood. It is in our community. It can happen to anyone, but it
does not have to happen to you.
When a law enforcement officer responds
to a domestic violence situation and has probable cause to believe that
a crime has been committed, the officer shall arrest and take into
custody the alleged perpetrator of the crime.
The alleged perpetrator will be brought
before a bail commissioner or another officer of the court. A No-Contact
Order (NCO) will be issued. The NCO means that the defendant may not
contact you in person, by telephone, or by mail.
On the next business day, the defendant
will be arraigned before a judge. The judge will schedule a second
hearing (pretrial conference), usually within a few weeks, at which the
defendant may change his/her plea to guilty, not guilty, or no contest (nolo
contendre).
A temporary restraining order (TRO) is
also available to victims of domestic violence at the Family or District
Court (located at the Garrahy Complex in Providence) whether or not
there has been an arrest. A person may apply for a TRO if he/she has
been a victim of physical violence or is in fear for their physical
safety. If a TRO is approved, the perpetrator is served with the TRO and
is not allowed to have any contact with the victim. A violation is an
arrestable offence. Some people choose to have both a NCO and a TRO
because a TRO can offer added protection by giving temporary custody of
children to the victim; by ordering the perpetrator to pay temporary
child support; and/or by ordering the perpetrator to vacate the home, if
shared with the victim.
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Sexual assault is any kind of sexual
contact without consent. (This includes forcing someone to watch
pornography or sexual acts.) Consent is “yes” without force or power.
Force or power includes emotional coercion, (bribes, pressuring, lying,
tricks) implicit coercion, (social position, size/strength, age) verbal
threats, physical force without a weapon or physical force with a
weapon. Exceptions to consent include age (the age of consent in Rhode
Island is 16.) and being mentally incapacitated due to drugs or alcohol.
In addition, a person who is incapable of understanding the nature of a
sexual act due to a mental impairment cannot give consent.
Sexual violence happens to all people. 1
in 3 women and 1 in 6 men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Most
perpetrators are known and trusted. 85% of perpetrators are
acquaintances such as a parent, relative or friend and that can make the
sexual abuse even more confusing. There is no “right” response to sexual
violence. Sexual assault is a life-threatening situation and whatever
you did to survive was the right thing to do. Remember, submitting to
sexual violence is not the same thing as “consenting.” Sexual violence
is never the victim’s fault and no one deserves to be sexually
assaulted.
If you
have been sexually assaulted, consider the following:
- Medical Help
Every victim of
sexual assault should receive immediate medical attention. Being
seen by medical personnel does not mean you have to report the
crime. There is a specific sexual assault examination that addresses
your medical needs, as well as the collection of evidence that may
be useful should you decide to report the crime and press charges.
Also, you should consider being tested for pregnancy, sexually
transmitted diseases and AIDS. Medical evidence can be collected up
to 72 hours after an assault. There is no cost to the victim who has
no insurance for the exam. The exam can be done at any hospital
emergency room.
- The Police
Sexual assault is a
crime. It is your decision whether or not to file a police report.
If you decide to report the assault, the report should be filed with
the police department in the city/town where the assault occurred,
or with the State Police.
A trained sexual assault crisis advocate
can accompany you to the hospital and/or police station if you wish. The
advocate is there to offer you support and answer your questions.
Services are available regardless of whether or not you decide to report
the assault to the police. An advocate is available through the 24-hour
Victims of Crime Helpline at 1.800.494.8100.
ABOUT ELLEN BUCCI:
Prior to accepting the Northern Rhode Island Law Enforcement Advocate
position, Ellen attended Rhode Island College and interned for a year
and a half at the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center. There she primarily
provided support to victims of domestic violence and interned directly
for the elder advocate. In doing so, she developed a unique
understanding of a less known area of abuse, elder abuse.
Ellen graduated from Rhode Island College in 2006 with a double
Bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies and Psychology. She also obtained
a minor in Sociology. Ellen possesses excellent communication skills
and has the ability to increase a victim’s comfort level with the
criminal justice process while providing crisis intervention services
for the victim. Ellen is very eager and looks forward to assisting
victims of domestic violence and sexual assault as the Northern Rhode
Island Law Enforcement Advocate. |
