Virginia Crimes

Even if you do not qualify for a protective order, the abuser may have committed a crime. If you call the police, they may arrest him/her for a crime and you may get a restraining order through the criminal court. Remember that even if you do have a protective order, you can still report him/her to the police if you believe s/he committed a crime against you.

In our Abuse Using Technology section, you can learn the types of behaviors that are considered a misuse of technology. Some of these behaviors might be recognized as a crime depending on the specific laws of your state.

What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Virginia?
If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Virginia?

What are some crimes that the abuser may have committed in Virginia?

Here is a list of some possible crimes in Virginia that the abuser may have committed. You can click on the links to read the legal definition of each crime on our State Statutes page:

• Violation of a court order regarding custody and visitation
• Abduction and kidnapping
• Maiming
• Strangulation or suffocation of another
• Assault and battery
• Assault and battery against a family or household member
• Sexual extortion
• Threats of death or bodily injury to a person or member of his family
• Stalking
• Violation of protective orders
• Unauthorized use of electronic tracking device
• Rape
• Carnal knowledge of child between thirteen and fifteen years of age
• Forcible sodomy
• Aggravated sexual battery
• Sexual battery
• Peeping or spying into dwelling or enclosure
• Peeping or spying into dwelling or occupied building by electronic device or unmanned aircraft system
• Computer invasion of privacy
• Using a computer to gather identifying information
• Harassment by computer
• Identity theft
• Use of a person’s identity with the intent to coerce, intimidate, or harass
• Abuse and neglect of children
• Unlawful creation of image of another
• Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another
• Use of profane, threatening, or indecent language over public airways or by other methods (includes telephone harassment)
• False caller identification information
• Causing telephone or pager to ring with intent to annoy
• Interception, disclosure, etc., of wire, electronic or oral communications.

If I am the victim of a crime, where can I get additional help in Virginia?

The Virginia Department of Corrections runs a Victim Services Unit, which provides information on victims’ rights and services. You can also call them at (800) 560-4292.

For information on victims’ compensation in Virginia, visit the Virginia Victims Fund website.

If you are a victim of domestic violence and have been charged with a crime, you can go to our Abuse Victims Charged with Crimes page.

Other organizations for victims of crime are listed on our National Organizations - Crime Victims page.