Domestic Violence Programs and Services (DVPS)

Hope Card Program
A Hope Card is a laminated card, similar in size and shape to a credit card, that contains all the essential information about a civil protective order in a durable, easy-to-read format.  It does NOT replace the existing protective order. Hope Cards are available only to holders of a final civil protective order issued in participating Virginia localities.  As of July 1, 2022, all district and circuit courts in the Commonwealth of Virginia participate in the Hope Card Program.

• Notice to Our Law Enforcement and Community Partners
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)
• Application/Request Form
• Application/Request Form (Spanish)

I-CAN! Virginia Program (Assistance with Protective Orders)
I-CAN! Virginia is a free online program that provides assistance with the preparation of court forms required to file for a protective order. I-CAN! Virginia is also available in Spanish. I-CAN! Virginia brochures, posters, and business cards are available by calling the Department of Judicial Services at (804) 786-6455.

Resources and Reference Materials

• Address Confidentiality Program
  A confidential mail-forwarding service, managed by the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, for victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual violence, and human trafficking who have recently relocated.
• Domestic and Sexual Violence Crisis Centers by Locality
  A directory, maintained by the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia, of all Virginia domestic and sexual violence crisis centers by locality.
• Federal and State Firearms Law: Domestic Violence Offender Gun Ban
• Protective Orders in Virginia - A Guide for Victims
  A brochure, produced by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, that provides summary information regarding family abuse and non-family abuse protective orders.
• Virginia Certified Batterer Intervention Programs
  A directory of certified batterer intervention programs is available for download from the Virginia Batterer Intervention Program Certification Board.
• Virginia’s Judicial System Court Self Help - Protective Orders
  Provides an overview of protective orders in Virginia and links to resources.  
• Virginia Victim Notification Program (VINE) The Virginia VINE system is a service through which victims of crime can use the telephone or Internet to search for information regarding the custody status of their offender and to register to receive telephone and e-mail notification when the offender’s custody status changes.
• What You Need to Know About Protective Orders
  An information sheet that explains the different types of protective orders and answers frequently asked questions regarding how to prepare for a hearing and what to expect.