A: You do need to be in court to be questioned by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney. Please be assured that you will be accompanied at all times by a Victim Witness Advocate. The Advocate will assist you throughout the court process up to and including sentencing, and then follow up with counseling and other support services by way of referrals. The defendant is prohibited from having any direct contact with you. The courtroom also has law enforcement officer(s) who provide(s) security.
A: If this is an emergency situation and you are in imminent harm, dial 911. If you are not in imminent harm, you are encouraged to contact the police agency where the acts occured. If you have moved out of county and it is not feasible for you to make the initial report to an Orange County police agency, you are encouraged to go to your local police department and ask them to take a courtesy report and notify their counterpart Orange County agency with jurisdiction. Many first responders in the case of child victims are a school counselor or police resource officer. The school districts encourage child victims and witnesses to report to school authorities.
A: If you believe someone is in imminent danger, you are always instructed to dial 911. If you do not believe anyone is in imminent danger, then you should report your suspicions to the police agency where the acts occured. There are certain categories of persons who must report their suspicions if they suspect that a person is a victim of sexual assault. They are people in professions or occupations that have contact with children or whose primary focus is children. The law requires that they report suspected child abuse or neglect. Mandated reporters include educators, health care providers, mental health professionals and clergy.
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