VICTIMS RIGHTS

Victims Rights
  • The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for your dignity and privacy
  • The right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender The right to be notified of court proceedings
  • The right to present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, unless the court determines that your testimony would be materially affected if you as the victim heard other testimony at trial
  • The right to confer with the attorney for the government in the case; The right to available restitution The right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender

LAW ENFORCEMENT

Emergencies Dial 911

Non-Emergencies:
Fort Campbell

  • Fort Campbell Military Police - 123 Forrest Rd.
    (270) 798-7111/7113
  • Fort Campbell Military Police Investigations- 2745 Kentucky Ave.
    (270)956-4206/798-9401
Kentucky
  • Hopkinsville Police Department
    (270) 890-1500
    Website
  • Oak Grove Police Department
    (270) 439-4602
  • Christian County Sheriff’s Office
    (270) 887-4143
Tennessee
  • Clarksville Police Department
    (931) 648-0656
    Website
  • Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Tennessee
    (931) 648-0611
    Website

SAFETY PLANNING

A violent relationship puts you and your children at risk for injury and even death. Developing a safety plan tailored to meet the needs of your family will enable you get out of a potentially dangerous situation. If your children are old enough, mature enough or even responsible enough to assist you during a violent or potentially violent episode of domestic abuse, you may consider including them in your plan to keep everyone safe. A good safety plan considers which steps to take if you choose to stay in the relationship or if you choose to leave.

Here are some tips during the explosive phase:

  • Move to a room with easy access to an exit. Don't go to the kitchen, bathroom or near possible weapons.
  • Know the quickest route out of your home. Practice escaping that way.
  • Know the quickest route out of your workplace. Practice escaping that way. Domestic Violence does not just occur in your home.
  • Pack a bag and have it ready. Keep it hidden but make it easy to grab quickly.
  • Tell your neighbors about your abuse and ask them to call the police when they hear a disturbance.
  • Have a code word to use with your kids, family and friends. They will know to call the police and get you help.
  • Know where you are going to go, if you ever have to leave.
  • Use your instincts.
  • You have the right to protect yourself and your children.

Develop Safety Plan: Download below
Safety Plan (English)
Safety Plan (Spanish)- Plan de seguridad (español)

PROTECTION ORDERS

Military Protection Orders
Unit Commanders may issue a Military Protective Order (MPO) to ensure the safety of service members, family members, and other individuals from the threat of domestic violence. Military Protection Orders (MPO) is a written lawful order issued by a commander that orders a Soldier to avoid contact with his or her spouse or children. The commander should provide a written copy of the order within 24 hours of its issuance to the protected person and the Fort Campbell Military Police. An individual should report violations of the MPO to law enforcement.

Civilian Protection Orders
A Civilian Order of Protection is an order signed by a Judge that directs an individual to stop abusing, stalking, harassing and/or committing acts of sexual violence against an individual. An individual may file a CPO against current or former spouse, someone that an individual shares a child in common, an individual with whom you have shared a residence with, someone related to you by blood or marriage or someone with whom you have dated or had intimate relations with.

Where to Obtain Civilian Orders of Protection:

Kentucky:
Hopkinsville, Christian County
100 Justice Way, Hopkinsville, KY
(270) 889-6539
Available 8am – 4:30pm

Sanctuary
(270) 866-8174
Website

Tennessee:
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee
120 Franklin St. Clarksville, TN 37040
(931) 552-6656

Montgomery County Court
2 Millennium Way (North 2nd Street), Clarksville, TN

Dover, Stewart County
Stewart County Courthouse
225 Donelson Parkway, Dover, TN 37058
(932) 232-8474

LOCAL & STATE RESOURCES

For Local Resources please review the Victims Advocacy Program Resource Guide

State Resources:

NATIONAL RESOURCES

FAMILY ADVOCACY VICTIM ADVOCATE PROGRAM

The Family Advocacy Victim Advocate Program supports both the Family Advocacy Program in the response to domestic abuse in addition to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program. Victim Advocates are trained professionals who provide emergency and follow up support services to adult victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. Advocacy services are available to Service members, spouses or ex-spouses of Service members, an individual with whom the Service member has a child in common and boyfriends/girlfriends of service members who live together. Victim advocate services are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Advocacy services include crisis response, information on reporting options, medical treatment options, law enforcement’s response, emergency services, safety planning, obtaining military and civilian protective orders, accompaniment to medical forensic exams, medical appointments, as well as accompaniment to court for orders of protection hearings, and trails. Advocates work closely with their civilian counter-parts and provide a “warm-hand-off” to victims that do not qualify for on-going advocacy services within the military community.

To learn more about the response to sexual assault and the role of the victim advocate please go to the Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program website.

REPORTING OPTIONS

The Army is fully committed to ensuring victims of domestic abuse are protected; treated with dignity and respect; and provided support, advocacy and care. The Army strongly supports effective command awareness and prevention programs, and holding offenders accountable. While Army policy prefers personnel report all suspected cases of domestic abuse promptly to activate victim services and accountability actions, the requirement for all domestic abuse incidents to be reported can represent a barrier for victims who might require medical attention and victim services without command or a law enforcement response. Therefore the Army has implemented a Restricted Reporting Option for individual to confidentially disclose allegations of abuse and receive needed medical treatment and services.

RESTRICTED REPORTING

Allows someone who meets FAP criteria and who is experiencing violence in their relationship to confidentially disclose the abuse to a Victim Advocate, a Victim Advocate Supervisor, or a Healthcare Provider. When an individual chooses a restricted report, law enforcement is not involved and there is no investigation of the abuse. In addition, the Soldier’s Command is not notified of the abuse and is unable to offer assistance and protection.

The restricted reporting option allows an individual to receive medical treatment, advocacy services, clinical and pastoral counseling. This option allows one to receive needed services, control the release of their personal information, and time to consider their options.

Under this reporting option, the offender is not held accountable and the abuse may continue. If an assessment reveals a high risk for future injury a restricted report may not be granted. If Command or Fort Campbell Police learn about the abuse the report may become unrestricted.

*In Kentucky, all healthcare providers are required to report incidents of domestic abuse to law enforcement officials. This includes all medical/dental facilities on the Kentucky side of Fort Campbell.

UNRESTRICTED REPORTING

Victims of domestic abuse who want to pursue an official investigation of an incident should report the abuse to law enforcement, or the alleged offender’s Commander. The unrestricted reporting option provides a victim with the widest array of services available including but not limited to command involvement, law enforcement involvement, medical treatment, advocacy services, and counseling services.

Not all incidents of domestic abuse are the same and each person who experiences domestic abuse handles their situation differently. For more information, please contact a victim advocate at (270) 412-5500 or the Department of Social Work at (270) 798-8601.

COMMAND RESPONSE

Domestic abuse is a command driven program and Commanders play an integral part in ensuring the safety, health and well- of our Army Families. Commanders who learn of an incident of domestic abuse are required to notify law enforcement. At Fort Campbell, Commanders are Additionally, Command Policy 7 is available for Commanders to refer to when alleged incidents of abuse occur.
Tools to assist commanders respond to incidents of domestic abuse include:
Command Policy 7
Military Protective Orders
Emergency Relocation
Transitional Compensation
Agencies incumbent of assisting commanders effect a coordinated community response on Fort Campbell include:
Fort Campbell Military Police
Office of the Staff Judge Advocate/Judge Advocate General
Department of Social Work
Family Advocacy Victim Advocate Program
Inspector General’s Office

HEALTHCARE RESPONSE

Healthcare Professionals on Fort Campbell are a part of the Department of the Army’s Domestic Abuse Restricted Reporting Option. When a Healthcare provider believes that an individual is in a violent or abusive relationship, their response is to contact the Department of Social Work who will provide services and coordinate follow up care.

Please contact the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital’s Department of Social Work at (270) 798-8601 for more information.