Enforcement

D.O.V.E. Program

Enforcement, Prosecution, Advocacy

Family Violence is a Crime!

Family violence includes causing physical harm or threatening physical harm, use of force to coerce you to do or not to do something, verbal abuse, and sexual abuse of any family member or intimate partner.

YOU HAVE A RIGHT NOT TO BE ABUSED.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE SAFE.

If you are assaulted:

• Go to a safe place.

• Call 911 immediately.

• Don’t move or disturb anything in the area where the assault occurred. The police may want to take photos of the scene for evidence.

• Go to a hospital emergency department for medical care.

• Don’t blame yourself. The person who committed the assault is responsible.

• Apply for an Ex Parte Order of Protection.

• You may want to seek professional counseling, information, and legal assistance from the D.O.V.E. unit to help you deal with the consequences of the assault.

Boone County has a Domestic Violence Enforcement Unit (D.O.V.E. Unit) who's mission is to decrease the level of domestic violence, by investigating domestic violence cases, promoting deterrence of violence, assisting victims, and interrupting the cycle of violence. The D.O.V.E. Unit, which is housed at the Columbia Police Department, is a specialized unit comprised of three investigators, two advocates, and two Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys.

If you have been the victim of assault, there is help available!

Remember:

• You are NOT the cause of someone else’s abusive behavior

• You do NOT deserve to be abused

• You DO have the right to expect and demand help and respect

• You DO have the right to think, feel, and make choices and changes!

Internet Safety Warning – Find out how to keep others from knowing that you have visited this Web site:

www.ndvh.org/

www.abanet.org/domviol/

The D.O.V.E. Unit Response

The D.O.V.E. Unit Detectives

The D.O.V.E. Unit has detectives from the Columbia Police Department and the Boone County Sheriff's Department who have been specially trained in investigating domestic violence. The detectives receive all reports of a domestic nature within several days of when the incident occurred. One of the detectives will contact you either in person, by telephone, or by letter to interview you. This interview is an important part of the investigation. The detective will ask you questions about the assault or incident that occurred, previous incidents of abuse, injuries from the assault, and if you have had contact with the abuser since the incident occurred. You must be truthful in your statements even if you are embarrassed, ashamed, or fearful. If you are not certain, say you are not sure. If you have visible injuries, the detective will ask you to take photographs to document the injuries for court.

After the initial interview, you may later remember more information about the incident or have questions regarding the investigation. Call the detective. The detective should also be kept up to date on your injuries, such as bruises, as they begin to appear. Be sure you have the detective's name and telephone number so you may reach him or her easily.

If arrested, the suspect will be held in jail during the prosecution unless he posts bail, the charges are dropped, or the judge releases him on his own recognizance. If the suspect is released, he may be instructed not to see or talk to you. If he does contact you, call the police immediately. Any such contact can be used as a basis for returning the suspect to jail.

If you have questions regarding a domestic situation you are in, you may call any of the detectives with the D.O.V.E. Unit and speak with them without making a formal police report. They can give you options that are available to you in your particular situation.

Contact the Detectives

The D.O.V.E. Advocate

There is a victim advocate from The Shelter with the D.O.V.E. Unit. It is her job to help you get the resources you need to be safe and healthy. You many want to find emergency shelter, obtain an order of protection, gain full custody of your children, or move away from your abuser. The advocate can help you with any or all of these things. Should you wish to stay in your relationship, the advocate can help you with safety planning. The D.O.V.E. advocate will help you no matter what you choose. The advocate works closely with investigators and prosecutors so you can get the maximum benefit from the system.

Contact the D.O.V.E. Advocates

Contact the Victim Specialists

The D.O.V.E. Prosecutors

When abuse happens and a police report is made, the report is sent to the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Within the Boone County Prosecutor's Office, there are two prosecutors who work on adult abuse/assault cases. They look at the evidence and determine if a crime was committed, and it so, if charges will be filed. If the charges are filed, it is the State of Missouri that is prosecuting the defendant. This means that you, the victim, are not filing charges and are not in control of pursuing or dropping charges. The prosecuting attorney will prosecute the criminal case against the assaulted you.

You should contact the Prosecuting Attorney's Office about your case soon after the police make a report. When you contact the prosecuting attorney, you can get information about:

• * the trial date.
• the plea agreement offered to the defendant.
• whether or not you need to testify.
• evidence that may be presented in court.
• witnesses who have been subpoenaed to appear at trial.

The prosecuting attorney will need the following from you:

• Any changes in your phone number or address
• Witness' names, phone numbers and addresses
• Information about evidence you may have
• A medical release to gather hospital documents about any injuries you received from the assault

If you have any questions, the Victim Response Team in the Prosecutor's Office can help with your needs.

Contact the D.O.V.E. Prosecutors

The Victim Advocate in the Prosecutor's Office

Within the Prosecutor's Office, there is an advocate who can assist crime victims and witnesses through the criminal system. The advocate can provide:

• Emotional support for the victim and/or witnesses.
• Information about victim's rights under the Victim Rights Law.
• Updates on case status.
• Information on police and court procedures.
• Referring victims and family members to the appropriate local social service agency or counseling service to meet their needs.
• Escort to court proceedings.
• Secure witness waiting room.
• Assistance in filing for compensation under the Missouri Victim Compensation Act.

Contact the PA's Victim Advocate

The Shelter

For Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
P.O. Box 1367
Columbia, MO 65203-1367

boonecountysafeshelter.com

If you feel you are being abused physically, mentally, verbally, or sexually, call the Shelter at 875-1370 (or toll free 1-800-548-2480 in Missouri) for information on what you can do to stop the abuse and to get away from the abuser.

You will be able to get information free of charge on housing, financial aid, medical aid, and counseling services.

You do not have to give your name to the person you talk to, and all information you give over the phone at this number is confidential.

The Shelter offers free confidential services to:

• Victims of Domestic Violence
• Adult victims of abuse/assault and sexual assault
• Adult survivors of incest
• Child victims of physical and sexual abuse

Services offered include:

• Temporary safe place to stay for women and children who are in immediate danger.
• 24-hour hotline (1-800-548-2480) for victims to call for information and emotional support.
• Support group with weekly meeting and free childcare during the meetings.
• Court advocates who help women complete a petition for an order of protection and accompany them through court proceedings.
• Professional counseling.
• Advocates who accompany women through a sexual assault exam and subsequent court proceedings.

Area served: Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Montgomery, Randolph, and Saline Counties

The Shelter Hotline (24 hours)
In Columbia: 573-875-1370
Toll free: 1-800-548-2480
Office: 573-875-1369
Fax: 573-817-1280

Order of Protection

What is an Order of Protection?

An order of protection can help to protect yourself or your children from someone who is abusing or harassing you. It can help set limits by requiring the abuser to stay away from you or your home. A protection order can send a strong message to the abuser letting the abuser know that abusive behavior is not acceptable and it is illegal.

An ex parte order may:

• Order the accused abuser not to abuse, threaten to abuse, molest, stalk, or disturb your peace.
• Order the accused abuser not to enter the premises of your home.
• Make a temporary order of custody of minor children.
• Order specific personal property and effects to be turned over to you.

Filing an order of protection:

• You do not need an attorney.
• You do need an accurate residence or employer address for the person who assaulted you.
• You do need to bring a picture of your abuser if possible.
• You do need a description of the abuser's car.
• You are not required to pay an advanced filing fee in order to file. The court will decide at the end of the full order hearing.
• You have to attend the hearing for the full order of protection or the order will be dropped and you could be fined.

IF YOUR ABUSER VIOLATES AN ORDER OF PROTECTION, YOU SHOULD CALL THE POLICE (911).

You can file an order of protection 24 hours a day against the person who is abusing you. The Boone County Circuit Clerk's office (located at Courthouse) provides orders of protection during business hours: Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm. The Shelter offers emergency orders of protection when the Clerk's office is closed. An advocate from The Shelter is available to assist you in filling out an order of protection. Call 875-1369 for information.

Boone County Policy for Domestic Violence

In Boone County, our law enforcement agencies have adopted the following policy.

Law enforcement agencies of the City of Columbia, County of Boone, police departments of all incorporated cities within Boone County, the University of Missouri Police Department, and the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office will respond to acts of domestic violence as a crime regardless of the relationship of the parties.

Victims of domestic violence will be treated with respect and dignity and will be given all available assistance by law enforcement personnel responding to an incident of domestic violence.

Law enforcement officers should arrest batterers in all situations where an arrest is legally permissible and probable cause exists to believe that a crime has occurred.

Training will be provided regularly to enhance law enforcement response to domestic violence.

Victim Rights

As a Crime Victim in the State of Missouri you have the right to

• be present at all criminal justice proceedings
• support and accurate information
• be free from intimidation
• be assisted by your criminal justice agencies
• expect a minimum of time and inconvenience to you as a victim or witness
• be told about available compensation for court appearances
• be told about all available help from Social Services or volunteer agencies

You have the right to be notified of

• Plea agreements
• Change in court schedules, date, time, and place of sentencing
• Release of offender from prison or institution
• Victims' Rights

You have the right to participate in prosecution, including the right to

• inform court of impact of crime at pre-trial and sentencing
• request a speedy trial
• have input in pre-trial diversion program
• bring supportive person to pre-trial hearing
• give written objections to sentence

You have the right to protection from harm.

• Tampering with a witness is against Missouri law.
• Witnesses do not have to state their addresses in court.
• Victims have the right to separate, secure waiting area during court.
• Employers may not discipline or dismiss victims or witnesses who are called to testify in court.

You may have the right to financial assistance.

• Victims may be eligible for financial assistance from the state if they have suffered economic loss.

• Victims may request restitution monies to be paid by the offender as a part of his/her penalty.

The laws granting rights to crime victims are in the Missouri Constitution, Article 1, Section 32, and in the Missouri Revised Statutes, Chapter 595.

Crime victims who want more information regarding their rights may contact the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's Office or the Missouri Attorney General's Office.

D.O.V.E. Unit Resources

Local Resources

Police, Sheriff, or Ambulance dispatch (Columbia & Boone County):

Real-Time 911 Fire & Rescue Dispatch

Local Law Enforcement Agencies

Emergency Housing

Health Services

Legal Aid

Other Services

Please visit the Columbia Police Department's DOVE Unit Web site also.

Links to Other Online Resources

There is a great deal of valuable information already available on the Internet. Rather than duplicating the efforts of others, we have provided links to many of these organizations as a public service. The inclusion of a web site however, should not be construed as an endorsement of any agency. The Boone County Sheriff's Department takes no responsibility for, and exercises no control over, the organizations, views, accuracy, copyright or trademark compliance or legality of the material contained on these Web sites.

Publications

Attorney General's Office: Protecting crime victims - Includes information on crime victims' rights, how to order a free copy of the booklet "Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence," and a list of several state and national agencies and organizations.

Domestic Violence and the Law: A Practical Guide for Survivors - Explores survival and legal options for domestic violence victims. You may order a copy of this 48-page booklet or read it online from The Missouri Bar Web site.

Domestic Violence: Safety Plan Guidelines – Safety Strategies provided by the National Center for Victims of Crime

State & National Organizations

American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence

Family Violence Prevention Fund

Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse – Electronic clearinghouse for related information

Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV)

Missouri Victim Assistance Network (MoVA)

National Center for Victims of Crime – Information/referral line: 1-800-FYI-CALL

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

National Domestic Violence Hotline – (800) 799-SAFE

Office of Victim Services – Missouri Department of Corrections

Violence Against Women Office – U.S. Department of Justice

Please report any broken links to: webmaster@boonecountymo.org

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Please contact us with any questions you might have. We can help, and we want to!

D.O.V.E. Unit Contact Information