VICTIM SERVICES (home)

Crime in the United States touches everybody.  The job of the criminal justice system is to protect, support, and serve our communities.  Most citizens do not learn about the criminal justice system until they become victims of crime -- the worst possible time to try and understand the complex roles and responsibilities of each of the players in the system.

Domestic violence is believed to be the most common, yet least reported, crime in the United States.  Each year, an estimated three-to-four million women each year are beaten by their husbands or partners each year, and more than 1,000 (approximately four per day) are killed.  Physical injury, emotional trauma, financial hardship, and intergenerational violence all occur as a result of violence in the home.

Like domestic violence, sexual assault is also a crime under reported by victims.  An estimated one in ten sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement.  One of every three women in the United States will be the victim of a sexual assault as some time in their lives.  Emotional trauma and physical injury often occur as a result of sexual assault.

The Cole County Prosecuting Attorney's Office recognizes these intimate crimes have a dramatic effect on victims and their family members.  As a result, we participate in a community response program, which provides stronger services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Nikki Parker is our Victims' Advocate, specializing in domestic violence and sexual assault.  She is able to assist victims in the following areas:

Resource referrals

Filing of ex parte orders and full orders of protection

Hospital advocacy

Court/law enforcement advocacy

Security issues

Travel arrangements

Security issues

Explanations of proceedings

Trial settings

Crime victims compensation

The Jefferson City Rape and Abuse Crisis Service (RACS) was established in 1980 to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Since that time, RACS has grown to serve a nine-county area in mid-Missouri by providing services to all victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  These services include:

24-hour hotline (1-800-303-0013; in Jefferson City, 573-634-4911)

Hospital advocacy

Court/law enforcement advocacy

Crisis intervention

Children's counseling program

Domestic violence counseling

Sexual assault counseling

Public education

Shelter for battered women and their children