1. Victim and Witness Rights
- Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services – Victims Services
Provides support to crime victims, including compensation, court advocacy, and protection order information. - Virginia Attorney General – Victims Services
Offers victim rights information, crime reporting resources, and referrals to local service providers.
2. Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid Programs
- Virginia Legal Aid
A statewide portal offering legal information, forms, and free representation for issues like harassment, abuse, and stalking. - Virginia Poverty Law Center
Provides advocacy and free civil legal services to low-income Virginians, including survivors of cyber abuse or domestic violence.
3. Relevant Laws
- Stalking: Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-60.3
What it means: Repeated conduct that places someone in reasonable fear of death, injury, or emotional distress. Includes surveillance and online contact. - Harassment: Covered under telecommunications and threats statutes (e.g., Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-152.7:1)
What it means: Includes sending obscene, threatening, or repeated messages via electronic means with intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass. - Bullying: No adult criminal statute. Covered under Va. Code Ann. § 22.1-279.6 (Education Code)
What it means: Requires public schools to adopt anti-bullying and cyberbullying policies. Students are protected by mandatory reporting, disciplinary, and intervention measures. - Defamation: Civil tort, not criminal. Based on Virginia case law and precedent.
What it means: Individuals may sue for libel or slander if false statements result in reputational or financial harm. Defamation is not a criminal offense in Virginia.
4. Reporting and Hotlines
- Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or facing a safety emergency.
- Report non-emergency concerns to local police or the magistrate’s office to begin the protection order process.
- Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance (VSDVAA)
Statewide network connecting survivors to local shelters, legal aid, crisis response, and emotional support. - Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-838-8238
24/7 confidential support and referral for victims of abuse, stalking, or harassment in Virginia.
5. Support Organizations
- VSDVAA – Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
Coordinates legal aid, trauma-informed advocacy, and emergency shelter services through local programs. - Tahirih Justice Center – Greater DC
Provides legal representation and advocacy for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence in Northern Virginia.
6. Civil Remedies and Protection Orders
Virginia courts offer Protective Orders for family abuse, stalking, or sexual violence. These may restrict contact, communication, and physical presence. Protective Orders can be obtained in General District, Juvenile and Domestic Relations, or Circuit Court, depending on the case. Legal aid services and victim advocates are available to help with filings and hearings.
Important Note on Jurisdiction: If the individual you are seeking a restraining order against lives in a different state, your local court may not have jurisdiction to enforce that order. In most cases, you must file for protection in the state where that individual resides or where the conduct occurred. This applies even in situations involving online harassment, defamation, or stalking. Contact legal aid services in both your state and the other person’s state for guidance.
7. Youth and School Resources
- Virginia Department of Education – Bullying Prevention
Offers school policy guidance, reporting tools, and prevention resources for students and educators.
8. Court Forms and Filing Help
- Virginia Courts – Protective Order Forms
Download forms and review filing instructions for family abuse, stalking, and harassment protective orders.
9. Online Safety and Privacy Tools
- NNEDV Tech Safety Toolkit
Tools and strategies to help survivors of cyber abuse protect their privacy, devices, and online accounts.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
