Victim Advocacy Unit

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Being victimized in a criminal act can be a very traumatic experience.  The Colorado Springs Police Department Victim Advocacy Unit (VAU) is available to provide services and support to those who have been victimized by crimes that are covered by Colorado's Victim Rights Act (VRA).  The unit is staffed by full-time advocates and highly trained volunteer advocates.

Victim Advocates provide:

  • Immediate crisis intervention and safety planning (24-hours a day, 7-days a week on-call victim assistance)
  • Information on the Colorado's Victim Rights Act (VRA)
  • Assistance in completing applications for the Crime Victim Compensation Fund
  • Referrals to community agencies and resources
  • Support during the investigative process and education on the criminal justice system
  • Arrangement of interpretation services for victims with limited English proficiency
  • Information and assistance on obtaining protection orders

We can be contacted at 719-444-7777 or by email at Victim.AdvocacyUnit@coloradosprings.gov

If you would like to give feedback on the services that you received by the Colorado Springs Police Department and/or the Victim Advocacy Unit, please take this online survey.

 

U Visa Certification Information

Through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA) of 2000, Congress created the U Visa (U non-immigrant classification) to provide legal status to victims of specified crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal act.   The U Visa provides eligible crime victims with nonimmigrant status the ability to temporarily remain in the United States while assisting law enforcement.

Who is eligible for a U Visa?

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may find an applicant eligible for a U Visa if the applicant:

  • Is the direct or indirect victim of qualifying criminal activity;
  • Has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity;
  • Has been helpful, is helpful, or is likely to be helpful to a Federal, State, or local prosecutor, to a Federal or State judge, to USCIS, or to other Federal, State, or local authorities investigating or prosecuting criminal activity; and
  • The criminal activity violated the laws of the United States or occurred in the U.S. or the territories and possessions of the United States.

Additional information can be found through the USCIS by clicking here.

The Colorado Springs Police Department recognizes the importance of U Visas to crime victims and is committed to reviewing and responding to certification requests in a timely manner. If you are an individual with nonimmigrant status and a victim of a qualifying criminal activity that is investigated by the Colorado Springs Police Department, you or your representative can email the I-918 Supplement B form to CSPD-U-Visa.smb@coloradosprings.gov or mail the form to the CSPD Victim Advocacy Unit, 705 S. Nevada Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

 

Helpful Resources:

 

Victim Advocacy Unit Volunteer Program

If you are interested in applying to become a volunteer victim advocate with the CSPD Victim Advocacy Unit, please contact the CSPD Victim Advocacy Unit Volunteer Specialist at 719-444-7527 for more information on the program or visit springscaps.org.