Victim’s Safety & Rights
- Anyone can be a victim. You have a right to be safe from abuse, harassment, and threats. Help is available for you and your family-free and confidential. DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL FOR HELP. You and your children, if any, have the right to be safe from harm and threats. Take action now to prevent future harm. Call the London Police Department or protection and to make a report of the incident(s).
- Under certain circumstances, abusers may be arrested without a warrant. Get medical attention, copies of records and photos of any injuries and areas of pain. Some injuries, like bruises, need to be photographed again as they change. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, domestic violence contact the nearest Rape Crisis Center for confidential information and counseling, even if the abuse occurred years earlier. If the incident was recent, preserve evidence of the assault–do not bathe, change clothes, or brush your teeth. Go to a hospital for treatment and evidence collection. A sexual assault examination (medical-forensic) and other related tests should be conducted within 96 hours following the assault-whether or not you choose to talk with a police officer or victim advocate at that time. As long as the police are notified, the exam should be paid for by the Crime Victim Compensation Board. Even with no apparent physical injuries, this exam is important for your own health and protection (risks for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy), and the evidence collected will be available for any legal action at a later date, if needed.
- You can file a criminal complaint with the County Attorney. You may also file a petition for a Domestic Violence Protective Order through your local courthouse (no fees or attorney required). Your location should remain confidential on these records. If the abuser violates a protective order (EPO, DVO) or Conditions of Release after an arrest, report it! The abuse may be arrested or held in contempt of court. Ask about other rights you may have under the Kentucky Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights (KRS 421.500).
Domestic/Dating Violence & Sexual Assault
**IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY DIAL 911
You have a right to be safe from abuse by an intimate
partner. Free and confidential help is available for you and your family.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-(800) 799-SAFE {7233) or TTY 1-(800) 787-3224, can connect
you with LOCAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS for shelter for victims and their children, 24/7
crisis lines, support groups, court accompaniment, children’s services, and referrals to helpful
community programs. See map on reverse for local program locations and phone numbers. - Get medical attention as needed. Document and photograph any injuries and areas of pain. Some
injuries. like bruises. need to be photographed again as they change.
Sexual Assault
- National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-(800) 656-HOPE {4673) can connect you with LOCAL SEXUAL
ASSAULT CRISIS CENTERS for 24/7 crisis support. hospital and legal accompaniment.
counseling/therapy, children’s services, and community referrals, even if the abuse occurred years
earlier. See map on reverse for local program locations and phone numbers. - If the incident was recent, preserve evidence of the assault–do not bathe, change clothes, or brush
your teeth. Go to a hospital for treatment and evidence collection. A sexual assault examination and
other related tests should be conducted within 96 hours following the assault-whether or not you
choose to talk with a police officer or victim advocate at that time. The exam shall be paid for by
the Kentucky Claims Commission. Even with no apparent physical injuries, this exam is important
for your own health and protection {risks for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy}, and the
evidence collected will be available for any legal action at a later date, if needed.
Kentucky’s Domestic Violence Shelters & Sexual Assault Program
For our area, the following organizations provide resources for Domestic and Sexual Assault Victims:
-Cumberland Valley Domestic Violence Services | 800-755-5348
-Cumberland River Victims Services | 606-528-5286
***Counties covered include: Laurel, Rockcastle, Jackson, Clay, Knox, Whitley, and Harlan****
**For information on resources for other counties, visit https://www.kyjustice.org/organization-type/kentucky-legal-services-programs
Protective Orders
EPO’s & IPO’s Can be obtained 24/7 by contacting the London Police Department or by contacting the County Attorney’s Office M-F during business hours
- Emergency Protective Orders (EPO) Are temporary short-term orders that can… Direct the abuser to stop the abuse, leave the residence, have no contact or communication, and/or restrain from disposing or damaging property. Provide the petitioner with temporary custody of minor children. Provide other relief needed to prevent future domestic violence and abuse (e.g., confiscation of weapons, custody of pets, etc.).
- Interpersonal Protective Order (IPO) “Dating relationship” means a relationship between individuals who have or have had a relationship of a romantic or intimate nature. It does not include a casual acquaintanceship or ordinary fraternization in a business or social context. The following factors may be considered in addition to any other relevant factors in determining whether the relationship is or was of a romantic or intimate nature: (a) Declarations of romantic interest;
(b) The relationship was characterized by the expectation of affection;
(c) Attendance at social outings together as a couple;
(d) The frequency and type of interaction between the persons, including whether the persons have been involved together over time and on a continuous basis during the course of the relationship;
(e) The length and recency of the relationship; and
(f) Other indications of a substantial connection that would lead a reasonable person to understand that a dating relationship existed;
(2) “Dating violence and abuse” means physical injury, serious physical injury, stalking, sexual assault, or the infliction of fear of imminent physical injury, serious physical injury, sexual abuse, or assault occurring between persons who are or have been in a dating relationship;
(3) “Foreign protective order” means any judgment, decree, or order of protection which is entitled to full faith and credit pursuant to 18 U.S.C. sec. 2265 which was not issued on the basis of domestic violence and abuse;
(4) “Global positioning monitoring system” means a system that electronically determines a person’s location through a device worn by the person which does not invade his or her bodily integrity and which transmits the person’s latitude and longitude data to a monitoring entity;
(5) “Order of protection” means any interpersonal protective order, including those issued on a temporary basis, and includes a foreign protective order;
(6) “Sexual assault” refers to conduct prohibited as any degree of rape, sodomy, or sexual abuse under KRS Chapter 510 or incest under KRS 530.020;
(7) “Stalking” refers to conduct prohibited as stalking under KRS 508.140 or 508.150; and
(8) “Substantial violation” means criminal conduct which involves actual or threatened harm to the person, family, or property of an individual protected by an order of protection. Effective: January 1, 2016
- Protective Order or Restraining Order?
Protective orders can be promptly enforced by police and the courts because these court orders must be entered into computer systems such as the Law Information Network of Kentucky. Officers across the country can access this protective order information at any time in order to enforce these court orders. However, Restraining Orders and Divorce Decrees are not entered into such systems. They require the services of an attorney and a court hearing before they can be enforced.
Child Abuse
**IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY DIAL 911
If a child or adolescent has been physically or sexually abused, resources and support
services are available at your local Children’s Advocacy Center. Go to www.kacac.org to find local
programs.
If the incident occurred recently, go to a hospital for treatment and evidence collection. Even if the
abuse was not recent, a medical examination may still be appropriate. You may be referred to a
Children’s Advocacy Center for the exam and follow up support services.