Fearless Meetings
A “Fearless Meeting” is a support group for those dealing with life on the registry, as well as their friends, family, and others who want to provide support. You can read more about these meetings on NARSOL’s webpage.
Safer Virginia holds a Fearless meeting on the second Monday of every month via Zoom. For the specific URL, please subscribe to our newsletter.
Attorneys
**DISCLAIMER**
Safer Virginia does not warrant that these attorneys will result in success for your issue. It does not even warrant that these attorneys are necessarily quality counselors. It has compiled these attorneys through recommendations and word-of-mouth. Safer Virginia does not receive any kickback or any other benefit from any attorney it provides herein.
Attorney Recommendations
Safer Virginia’s mission focuses on collateral consequences. The attorneys in the Attorney Repository below focus on those areas, e.g., petitioning for removal from the registry, restoration of rights, pardons, etc. If you have a specific need, please reach out to us and we can attempt to guide you to the right person.
Safer Virginia’s mission does not focus on ongoing criminal matters, e.g., investigations, prosecutions, or post-trial appeals. Therefore, we do not maintain a list of criminal defense attorneys. However, should you need assistance locating an attorney, please contact us and we will do what we can to point you in the right direction.
Attorney Repository
Please see this Google Doc where we are compiling attorneys. If you are unable or unsure how to access a Google Doc, please email us at info@safervirginia.org for assistance.
Counselor/Therapists
Counselor & Therapist Repository
Please see this Google Doc where we are compiling available counselors and therapists. If you are unable or unsure how to access a Google Doc, please email us at info@safervirginia.org for assistance.
Housing
Finding housing is one of the hardest challenges for folks on the registry. For Safer Virginia, it is one of the most elusive resources to cultivate. By its nature, it is difficult to develop specific housing options–as soon as one is found, it (usually) no longer becomes an option for others.
Still, our goal is to develop a repository of concrete resources as well as tips & tricks for finding housing for folks in need.
Housing Tips and Tricks
- Where to avoid
- Know your rules: Before you start looking, make sure you are certain of all of your residency restrictions–both statutory and any that may apply to you due to a court order or probation. Before signing off on any living arraignment, make sure you confirm that you can live there.
- Scams!: If it’s too good to be true, it often is. Make sure to get any agreement in writing and to review it before signing.
- Where to look
- Use the registry itself as a resource: Search the registry for ZIP Codes where you are looking for housing. These often provide an idea of areas–or even specific locations, like apartment complexes–where RSOs can live. Sometimes this tactic can identify an apartment complex that might be welcoming to those with convictions.
- Personal, not impersonal: Individuals are much more likely to empathize with those with a tarnished past. They understand that people are more than the sum of their worst mistakes and the importance of second chances. Businesses–be they apartment complexes or or property management companies–often err on the side of caution for liability’s sake and hesitate or outright refuse to rent to those with a sex offense conviction. To capitalize on this, use Craigslist and other person-to-person methods to find a sympathetic landlord.
- Two heads are better than one: Talk with allies. In particular, probationers with registration requirements almost always are required to attend some sort of group session. While time-consuming, expensive, and frequently demeaning, these opportunities for interaction can be fruitful. If the person looking for housing is in a group session with others in a similar circumstance, ask around for help. They may be able to provide insight on places where registrants are welcome.
- What to say
- Make a good impression: Dress decently and present yourself well.
- Your status: Don’t bring up your registration status until you know that you like the place. When you do, make sure to phrase it as an “I’ve changed” moment.
Housing Repository
Please see this Google Doc where we are compiling available housing options. If you are unable or unsure how to access a Google Doc, please email us at info@safervirginia.org for assistance.
Legislation
Link Who’s my Legislator
Unsure of who your elected officials are? Use this link to search your Virginia and federal Delegates and Senators.
