Utah Resources

Victim Services

Statewide Domestic Violence Shelter Victim Services

CONFIDENTIAL Services: Domestic violence service providers in Utah are a safe place for victims and their children, and offer support and services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence. These providers offer a range of services to meet the needs and empower individuals to work toward safety & stability. These services may include:

• Emergency shelter
• 24-hour crisis line
• Case management
• Transitional housing
• Counseling & support groups
• Transportation
• Children’s services
• Food
• Personal care items
• Advocacy and referral programs for both domestic and sexual violence

In Utah, domestic violence shelter and community advocates must keep all communications they have with clients confidential and cannot disclose any information without written consent. The only exceptions to this would be mandatory reporting of child abuse or a court mandate.

System Victim Advocates: 

System-based victim advocates are employed by criminal justice agencies, including police departments and prosecutor’s offices. Their primary role is to guide victims through the criminal justice system and ensure that their rights are protected. Some things these advocates may be able to assist with include:

• Providing information about the legal system
• Safety planning
• Act as a liaison between yourself and the agency they represent (police/sheriff’s department or prosecutors office)
• Provide help and referrals for basic needs

In Utah, system-based victim advocates generally have a “semi-absolute” privilege to maintain confidentiality with survivors. This means that while they generally must keep information shared with them private, there are exceptions where they may be required to disclose it, such as other professionals who are involved in the case within the system, like a prosecutor, if the information would clear someone of blame or relate to witness credibility.