Domestic Violence
Advocacy Program
Confidential help. Real support. You deserve to be heard and treated with respect. Learn about your options and connect with an advocate.
You are not alone.In Immediate Danger?
Call 911 if you believe your safety or someone else’s safety is at immediate risk.
Call 911Contact Katrina
Katrina L. Hancock
Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinator
LAP Coordinator
Office of the Sheriff, Franklin County, Virginia
Office: 540-483-3000 ext. 2407
Work Cell: 540-420-4166
Email: Katrina.Hancock@franklincountyva.gov
70 East Court Street
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
If your phone or email may be monitored, consider using a safer device to contact us.
How Our Domestic Violence Advocate Can Support You
You can ask questions, talk through your concerns, and learn about the resources available to you.
Your Safety Matters.
You know your circumstances best. Whether you are gathering information, considering your options, or ready to speak with someone, support is available.
An advocate can listen and help you explore the next steps that feel safest for you.
Find the Information You Need
Learn About Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior, threats, or coercion used to gain power or control over an intimate partner.
Abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, financial, or digital. It can include intimidation, isolation, monitoring, and threats involving children, pets, housing, or money.
Abuse does not have to involve physical injury to be serious. If something in your relationship makes you feel controlled or unsafe, an advocate can listen and discuss available options with you.
Understanding the Power and Control Wheel
The Power and Control Wheel illustrates ways an abusive partner may use intimidation, isolation, threats, economic control, and other tactics to maintain power in a relationship.
The wheel was developed by Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs in Duluth, Minnesota.
Explore the Power and Control Wheel on The Duluth Model website
Lethality Assessment Program (LAP)
When deputies respond to certain intimate-partner domestic violence incidents, they may ask a short series of questions designed to identify signs that a victim may be at increased risk of serious injury or death. This is called a lethality assessment.
The questions help deputies identify high-danger situations. When the screen indicates high danger, the deputy contacts the Franklin County Family Resource Center hotline and encourages the victim to speak with an advocate while the deputy is still on the scene.
The purpose of the LAP is to increase safety and connect victims with services as quickly as possible.
Safety Planning
A safety plan is personal and should be based on your circumstances. Some strategies may increase risk in certain situations, so consider only the steps that are safe for you. An advocate can talk through options with you.
If You Are Still Living With an Abusive Partner
- Identify safer areas of the home with an exit and fewer potential weapons.
- Plan how you could leave quickly if necessary.
- Keep important phone numbers accessible when safe.
- Identify trusted people who could help in an emergency.
- Consider a code word that tells a trusted person to call for help.
If You Are Preparing to Leave
- Consider gathering identification, medications, keys, money, important documents, and essential items for children.
- Keep copies of important documents somewhere safe, if possible.
- Plan transportation and a safe place to go.
- Avoid storing a written safety plan where an abusive partner may find it.
After You Leave
- Consider changing routines and telling trusted people what they need to know.
- Keep copies of protective orders accessible when appropriate.
- Ask about safety considerations for home, work, school, and child exchanges.
- Call 911 if you believe you are in immediate danger.
Technology and Digital Safety
- When safe, review location sharing, shared phone plans, cloud accounts, and social media privacy settings.
- Be aware of tracking devices, shared passwords, and account recovery settings.
- Use a safer device for sensitive searches if you believe yours is being monitored.
- Change passwords or settings only when it is safe. Sudden changes may alert an abusive partner.
Community Resources
Local and statewide organizations can provide advocacy, legal information, family services, and assistance with essential needs.
Immediate Safety and Advocacy
911 Emergency Services
Franklin County Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinator:
540-483-3000 ext. 2407
Franklin County Family Resource Center
Legal and Court Support
Legal Aid Society of Roanoke Valley
Franklin County Commonwealth’s Attorney
VINELink
Children and Families
Franklin County Department of Social Services
Southern Virginia Child Advocacy Center
Food, Housing, and Financial Support
Helping Hands of Franklin County
Stepping Stones
Heavenly Manna:
540-483-3923
Lake Christian Ministries
AGAPE Center
STEP, Inc.
💜 31 Days of Awareness, Action & Hope
Throughout October, Franklin County is coming together to learn, participate, share, reflect and act.
31 Days. 31 Actions. One Community. No Excuse for Abuse.
October's campaign begins soon.
Check back October 1 for the first community challenge.
View All 31 Days
Click any day below to view that day's awareness activity.
💜 A Safety Reminder
Participation should never require anyone to publicly identify themselves as a survivor or share personal details of abuse. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911.