Resources and Information for Victims of Domestic Violence

The Vancouver Police Department is actively involved in a coordinated community response against Domestic Violence which includes investigation of domestic violence crimes.

For victims who are concerned about the pending release of an offender we invite you to visit the VINELink website. VINELink is the online version of VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday), the National Victim Notification Network. This service allows crime victims to obtain timely and reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders 24 hours a day. Victims and other concerned citizens can also register to be notified by phone, email or TTY device when an offender’s custody status changes. Users can also register through their participating state or county toll-free number.

National Domestic Violence Statistics

  • 25% of women, and 17% of men, will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetime.
  • 5 people lose their lives to domestic violence each day
  • Intimate partner violence alone affects more than 12 million people every year.
  • Women ages 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 generally experience the highest rates of intimate partner violence.
  • Over 1 in 3 women (35.6%) and 1 in 4 men (28.5%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Additional information and statistics are available at: https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-statistics/

The Danger Assessment

The Danger Assessment helps to determine the level of danger a person has of being killed by an intimate partner. The Danger Assessment is available in a variety of languages.

Click the link to learn more about the Danger Assessment

Victim’s Rights

IF YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, you can ask the city or county prosecuting attorney to file a  criminal complaint. You also have the right to file a petition in superior, district, or municipal court requesting an order for protection from domestic abuse which could include any of the following:

(a) an order restraining your abuser from further acts of abuse;

(b) an order directing your abuser to leave your household;

(c) an order preventing your abuser from entering your residence, school, business, or place of employment;

(d) an order awarding you or the other parent custody of or visitation with your minor child or children; and

(e) an order restraining your abuser from molesting or interfering with minor children in your custody; and

(f) an order requiring your abuser to turn in any firearms and concealed pistol license in the abuser’s possession or control to law enforcement and prohibiting the abuser from possessing or accessing firearms or a concealed pistol license for the duration of the civil order.

The forms you need to obtain a protection order are available in any municipal, district, or superior court or by visiting Washington State Courts.

You can get the forms required to file an Order for Protection at:
Superior Court Clerk’s Office, First Floor, Courthouse, 1200 Franklin Street Vancouver, WA 98668

For Assistance and filing information call:
Victim Witness Assistance: YWCA 360-696-0167

For misdemeanor cases contact the Vancouver City Attorney’s Office at (360) 487-8500

For felony cases contact the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office at (564) 397-5350

Resources

ywcaclarkcounty.org
3609 Main Street
Vancouver, WA 98663

General: 360-696-0167
Toll Free: 1-800-695-0167
360-695-0501 Hotline
Sexual Assault 24-Hour Hotline: 800-695-0167

The YWCA domestic violence shelter provides emergency shelter to a woman or a man with or without children fleeing physical, emotional, and verbal abuse.

National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or
TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Washington State Crime Victim Compensation

Visit the Washington State Crime Victims Compensation page to see if you qualify for compensation and to access the application.

Safety alert: Computer use can be monitored and is impossible to completely clear. If you are afraid your internet and/or computer usage might be monitored, please use a safer computer, call your local hotline at the YWCA Safe Choice 360-695-0501.