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Frequently Asked Questions About SAFEPLAN

1. How can a SAFEPLAN Advocate be reached?

  • SAFEPLAN Advocates are employees of community-based domestic violence and sexual assault programs and are primarily stationed at their local courthouse.

  • An Advocate can generally be reached during court hours or by contacting the local domestic violence or sexual assault program. View the list of local programs and courts.

  • In case of an emergency, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking should dial 911.

2. What is SAFEPLAN?

SAFEPLAN is a partnership program between courts and community-based domestic violence and sexual assault programs. SAFEPLAN works in collaboration with District Attorneys’ Offices and other allied criminal justice and social service agencies. SAFEPLAN provides specially trained and certified advocates to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking seeking protection from abuse.

SAFEPLAN Advocates are employed by local, community-based domestic violence and sexual assault programs in 41 district and probate courts across the state. The services they provide to victims are free of charge.

The SAFEPLAN Program is grateful for funding from the following sources:

  • The Massachusetts Legislature

  • The Victims of Crime Act

  • The Violence Against Women Act

  • The Edward J. Byrne Memorial Law Enforcement Grant

For further information on the SAFEPLAN Program contact the SAFEPLAN staff at the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance at 617-727-5200.

3. Why are SAFEPLAN Advocates necessary?

Domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking are pervasive problems throughout Massachusetts. Each year in Massachusetts over 25,000 victims of domestic violence receive protection from abuse orders from the courts. Obtaining a restraining order can often be an intimidating process. The goal of a SAFEPLAN Advocate is to provide court advocacy, support services and referrals throughout the restraining order process and to help make that process less intimidating and more successful.

The concept behind SAFEPLAN is supported by statistics revealing that approximately 80% of all victims coming to court seeking restraining orders have had no prior contact with a community based domestic violence program. SAFEPLAN Advocates provide a crucial link for victims to obtain counseling, shelter and other empowering services from local domestic violence programs. Additionally, victims who are helped by an advocate are more likely than unassisted victims to fully utilize the criminal justice system and the laws to prevent further abuse. SAFEPLAN Advocates can offer the kind of assistance that makes a difference in keeping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault safe.

4. What does a SAFEPLAN Advocate do?

A SAFEPLAN Court Advocate offers the following services to victims of domestic violence:

  • Conducts risk and needs assessments with victims;

  • Informs victims so that they may explore their legal rights and options in civil and criminal court proceedings;

  • Assists victims with restraining order and harassment prevention order paperwork;

  • Answers questions about restraining orders and harassment prevention orders;

  • Develops a safety plan with victims;

  • Explains the court process, restraining order law, and harassment prevention order law;

  • Offers victims information and education about domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking;

  • Gives victims resource referrals; and

  • Provides in-court advocacy.

SAFEPLAN Advocates are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice, but are able to provide a referral to an attorney if one is needed.

All SAFEPLAN services are offered free of charge.

5. What type of training does a SAFEPLAN Advocate have?

SAFEPLAN Advocates receive a minimum of 24 hours of court advocacy training. SAFEPLAN advocates also completes all training mandated by the local domestic violence program that employs them. The court advocacy training covers topics such as: the dynamics of domestic violence, the Abuse Prevention Act (M.G.L. Ch. 209A), the Harassment Prevention Order Act (G.L. c. 258E), probate issues for victims of domestic violence, cultural sensitivity, and state and community resources available to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. After completing the SAFEPLAN training, Advocates must shadow experienced advocates before becoming certified.

6. What is the difference between a SAFEPLAN Advocate and a Victim Witness Advocate?

SAFEPLAN Advocates primarily assist victims with the civil restraining order process. Victim Witness Advocates are employees of district attorneys’ offices who provide court-based services to crime victims during criminal proceedings. The Victim Witness Advocates are mandated to afford certain rights and services to crime victims as defined in the Massachusetts Bill of Rights (M.G.L. Ch. 258B, S.3). SAFEPLAN and Victim Witness Advocates work to offer comprehensive coordinated services to victims of domestic violence.

7. Where can I get more information?

For more information about services for domestic violence victims throughout Massachusetts call SAFELINK, the toll-free 24- hour statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-877-785-2020.

 
 
 
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