Domestic Violence

The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit of the Criminal Division is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of misdemeanor and felony crimes of domestic violence and sexual assault in the Territory in violation of Title 16, Chapter 2 of the Virgin Islands Code, providing remedies for Domestic Violence. The Unit also investigates and prosecutes any other sexual assault crimes committed by adult perpetrators against adult victims in violation of Title 14 Chapter 85 of the Virgin Islands Code, governing the crime(s) of rape and related offenses.

Goals of Prosecution

The goals of prosecution in a domestic violence and/ or sexual assault case are

1. To protect the victim from additional acts of violence committed by the perpetrator;
2. To deter the perpetrator from committing continued acts of violence against others in the community;
3. To punish the perpetrator for his/her criminal act(s) of domestic violence; and
4. To create a general deterrence to domestic violence and abuse in our community.

Investigation and Prosecution

The Assistant Attorney General (AAG) assigned to the Unit provides legal advice and consultation to law enforcement in the investigative stages of misdemeanor and felony domestic violence and/or sexual assault matters, evaluates evidence, makes charging determinations and prepares formal charges, if any, based upon the evidence presented by law enforcement. The AAG, with the assistance of the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) detectives assigned to the Domestic Violence Unit, also conducts follow-up investigation(s) and handles all matters assigned to the Unit for trial or final disposition.

Domestic Violence Policy

The Special Policy Advisor is charged with three major tasks:

1. To review, and when necessary, to alter, rewrite or write Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault policies, protocols and procedures in the Virgin Islands; to standardize a territorial approach to handling such matters in a manner which is more sensitive to the victim, maximizes victim safety, and encourages batterers to accept responsibility for their behavior;

2. To educate the public by use of print and broadcast media as to the causes, dynamics and consequences of domestic violence and sexual assault; and

3. To promote and participate in the professional training of police, prosecutors, advocates and others regarding the issues cited above.

Long term goals of this unit include the standardization of domestic violence and sexual assault policies, protocols and procedures, and the improvement of the overall quality of the services that are offered to the victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Other long-term goals include increasing public awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault and educating the community in ways that would foster attitudes that are more sensitive toward women and children, and that would also alter the longstanding attitudes and behaviors that produce an environment conducive to domestic violence and sexual assault.