Community Services
Strengthening Safety and Support Across Rhode Island
At the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, our Community Services connect survivors, families, and communities with the resources they need to find safety, stability, and hope. These programs are designed to respond to immediate crises while building long-term pathways to healing—whether that means advocating for a survivor at a police station, helping a family navigate the justice system, or providing confidential 24/7 emotional support through our helpline.
Our dedicated advocates work side-by-side with law enforcement, state agencies, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure no one faces these challenges alone. From specialized victim advocacy to sexual assault support, family crisis intervention, and ongoing safety planning, our Community Services are rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a commitment to empowering survivors.
RI Victims of Crime Helpline
1-800-494-8100
Crisis & Emergency Contacts
BVAC RESOURCES IN RI
RI Helpline: 1-800-494-8100
Providence, RI 02905 (401) 785-2320
NATIONAL RESOURCES
National hotline for domestic violence: 800-799-7233
National hotline for sex trafficking: 888-373-7888
National hotline for sexual assault: 1-800-656-4673
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Dial 988 for free,
24/7 emotional support.
Day One Children’s Advocacy Center
(child victims of sexual abuse) 401-421-4100
Our Services at a Glance:
Trusted Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Support in Rhode Island
Law Enforcement Advocacy Program
The Law Enforcement Advocacy Program serves as a vital liaison between victims of domestic violence and local police departments in the cities and towns of Barrington, Bristol, Burrillville, Central Falls, Cumberland, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Warren, and Woonsocket. Operated by the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center (BVAC), this program ensures that victims receive timely, trauma-informed support while promoting collaboration and education among law enforcement and community partners.
Our Core Services:
- Assist Police Officers: Advocates work alongside police officers to provide accurate and supportive information in cases involving domestic violence, ensuring the needs and rights of victims are fully considered throughout the investigative process.
- Victim Support: Advocates respond to crime scenes, police departments, and hospitals to meet with victims, offering immediate crisis intervention, safety planning, and coordinated follow-up care.
- Referral Services: The program helps victims access restraining orders and links them to essential services such as legal advocacy, counseling, emergency shelter, and other community-based resources.
- Training and Education: Advocates support the ongoing education of law enforcement personnel and community stakeholders by assisting in trainings that focus on domestic violence dynamics, victim rights, and trauma-informed care.
- Community Representation: Program staff represent BVAC at various community events, roundtable discussions, and police in-service trainings, strengthening community awareness and collaboration.
- Accompaniment Services: Advocates provide emotional support by accompanying victims to hospitals, court proceedings, and other critical appointments.
- Professional Development: Advocates participate in relevant conferences and trainings to remain up-to-date on best practices and evolving trends in victim advocacy and law enforcement collaboration.
Through this multi-faceted approach, the Law Enforcement Advocacy Program enhances the response to domestic violence across participating municipalities and reinforces the safety, dignity, and empowerment of survivors.
Victim Advocacy and RI-VINE Liaison – RI Department of Corrections
The Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center in collaboration with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections (RIDOC), through its Office of Victim Services (OVS), is committed to providing trauma-informed, victim-centered support to individuals impacted by crime. At the heart of this initiative is the Victim Advocate, who serves as the Department’s primary liaison to the Rhode Island Victim Information and Notification Everyday (RI-VINE) system and the Victim Portal. This program is designed to ensure that victims and their families have timely access to accurate information, compassionate support, and critical safety resources.
The Victim Advocate is available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to respond to inquiries from victims, their families, victim-serving organizations, and criminal justice professionals. Acting as a vital bridge between the justice system and victims, the advocate supports individuals in navigating the RI-VINE and Victim Portal systems, helping them stay informed and engaged throughout the correctional process.
The Office of Victim Services provides advocacy, outreach, safety planning, and referrals to victims impacted by offenders under RIDOC custody, as well as those under probation or parole supervision. The Victim Advocate works in close collaboration with law enforcement, pre-trial services, and corrections personnel to assess risk, identify needs, and prioritize victim safety, particularly during offender reentry into the community.
In addition, the advocate plays an educational role by providing training and technical assistance to DOC staff and professionals throughout the state on issues related to domestic violence, sexual victimization, and victim advocacy.
The victim advocate is available to:
- Develop individualized safety plans tailored to the victim’s needs and the behavior of their offender
- Provide referrals to victim service providers based on specific needs
- Offer ongoing case management and support as needed
- Educate and empower victims through the use of RI-VINE, the Victim Portal, RI Judiciary, and DOC databases
- Conduct risk assessments using safety tools and collaborate with pre-trial services to triage high-risk cases
- Respond to victim inquiries and provide accurate information during workday hours
- Coordinate and maintain the RI-VINE notification system and Victim Portal
- Lead ongoing training sessions on the RI-VINE system for DOC staff and community professionals
DCYF Safe Families Collaboration
A Partnership between the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families
The DCYF Safe Families Collaboration is a joint initiative between the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center (BVAC) and the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), designed to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed support to families experiencing crisis, particularly where domestic violence is a contributing factor.
Through this collaboration, BVAC advocates work closely with DCYF to identify underlying issues related to domestic violence and offer families timely intervention and access to appropriate resources. The program’s goal is to support families in crisis in a manner that promotes safety, stability, and self-sufficiency—helping to prevent unnecessary involvement with DCYF’s Family Services Units whenever possible.
Key components of the program include:
- Conducting thorough assessments to identify the root causes of family instability and domestic violence dynamics.
- Assisting in the identification of supportive services and resources that may reduce risk and support family preservation.
- Providing crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy, and emotional support to help individuals identify immediate needs, review available options, and set achievable goals.
- Serving as a liaison between parents and DCYF to enhance communication, trust, and understanding throughout the case process.
- Supporting positive and timely case resolution by connecting families to community-based resources and promoting protective factors.
This innovative partnership strengthens the safety net for vulnerable families and empowers caregivers to access the tools and support needed to foster safe, nurturing environments for their children.
Victims of Crime Helpline – 24/7 Support and Resources
The Victims of Crime Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7 resource dedicated to supporting individuals and families impacted by violent crime in Rhode Island. Whether you’re a victim, a family member seeking support, or a professional in need of specialized resources, the Helpline offers compassionate assistance, active listening, and timely referrals to appropriate services.
Staffed by trained professionals, the Helpline provides immediate emotional support and connects callers with vital resources—including crisis intervention, counseling, legal advocacy, and community-based programs. It also serves as a central point of contact for hospitals across the state to request in-person advocates for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
This collaborative initiative is a partnership of the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, Day One, and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, ensuring comprehensive, trauma-informed care for those affected by violence. No matter when you call, help is always available.
Call 1-800-494-8100
Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) Advocate
The Sexual Assault Services Program (SASP) Advocate plays a critical role in supporting survivors of sexual assault through a trauma-informed, survivor-centered approach. This program is designed to provide a comprehensive continuum of services that address the immediate and long-term needs of victims, ensuring compassionate and informed care throughout every stage of the healing and justice process.
The SASP Advocate offers crisis intervention, emotional support, and direct advocacy for individuals impacted by sexual violence. Services include 24-hour hotline support, accompaniment to hospitals for medical care and forensic exams, and advocacy with law enforcement and through the criminal justice system. The Advocate also assists survivors in navigating complex systems and helps bridge service gaps through case management and referrals to additional community resources.
Through individual and group support, coordination of care, and a commitment to empowerment, the SASP Advocate ensures that each survivor has access to the tools, information, and support necessary to move forward. This program prioritizes safety, dignity, and justice for survivors, while actively working to build connections to housing, legal, and social services tailored to each individual’s needs.
By fostering collaborative relationships with medical providers, law enforcement, courts, and other community agencies, the SASP Advocate helps ensure a seamless response to sexual assault and upholds the mission of supporting survivors with respect, confidentiality, and unwavering advocacy.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior used to gain power and control over a partner or family member. It can be physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, or financial. At BVAC, we educate survivors and communities on how to recognize the signs of abuse and how to take action safely.
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is abuse, call our 24-hour hotline. We’re here to listen without judgment. How We Help Survivors:
- Survivor-centered and trauma-informed
- Culturally sensitive and multilingual services
- Free and confidential for all
- Safety planning with parents and guardians
RI Victims of Crime Helpline
1-800-494-8100
Support for Children/Teens
Our goal is to break the cycle of abuse by supporting young survivors with compassion and care for children & teens.