The Victim Services office is available to victims of
certain types of crimes for guidance through the
criminal justice process. Office hours are from 8:00
a.m. to 5:00 p.m., seven days a week at the J. Reuben
Long Detention Center. For assistance, call (843)
915-6915.
Each Victim Advocate is a certified Victim Service
Provider (VSP). The South Carolina Governor's Office
requires all Victim Advocates in the State of South
Carolina to receive 12 hours of training
annually. Training encompasses changes in legislation,
criminal domestic violence, sexual abuse, assaults,
homicides, kidnapping, human trafficking, and other
crimes and issues related to victims.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Victim Services Office at J. Reuben Long Detention
Center has the responsibility and intent to implement
and comply with the rights guaranteed to victims of
crime in accordance with the Constitution of the State
by providing services particularly as stated in the
Code of Laws of South Carolina, Sections
16-3-1525 and 16-3-1530. The office seeks to ensure
individual rights are protected and that each victim
of a crime is not re-victimized by the judicial
system. Furthermore, to treat victims with dignity,
respect, courtesy, and sensitivity; render support to
a network of services, offer accessibility to those
resources, and guide them through the judicial
process.
South Carolina Victim Information and Notification (SAVIN)
SAVIN is an automated service provided to victims of
crime. SAVIN communicates with J. Reuben Long
Detention Center's booking system in near real-time.
The service transmits updated information to a data
network that calls or sends e-mails to victims when an
offender is being released from custody. When SAVIN
calls the victim via its automated service, the
automated voice will ask for a pin number to confirm
the notification. If a victim does not have a PIN,
they must contact a Victim Advocate to receive their
PIN. A victim must have access to a phone or a
computer to receive this service. Click on
SAVIN
to navigate to the website to register to be notified
of an offender's release from J. Reuben Long Detention
Center.
Important Information for Victims to Know
It is the responsibility of the victim to notify
Victim Services of any address or telephone number
changes. This ensures notification to the victim of
any hearings or the release of a defendant in a timely
manner. Please call the office or send an e-mail to
the Victim Services Coordinator to update victim
information.
It is the responsibility of Victim Services to
schedule all bond hearings and guilty pleas at the
Detention Center. Please contact Victim Services for
the scheduled times. Please note: It is not the
responsibility of the arresting police officer to
schedule hearings. Please make certain the hearing is
scheduled prior to arrival.
According to the South Carolina statute, victims have
the right to be present at all criminal court
hearings, trials, and other proceedings concerning
cases in which they are involved. If a victim wants to
be present for any hearing or proceeding in their
case, they must inform the police officer or a victim
advocate. Please note: It is not mandatory for a
victim to attend a bond hearing. If a victim is unable
to attend a hearing for any reason, the victim
advocate will appear in court and speak on their
behalf.
The South Carolina statute, code section 16-3-1550(A),
mandates that employers must allow victims time off
from work to attend all criminal court hearings,
trials and other proceedings regarding their case. An
employer cannot retaliate against, suspend, or reduce
the wages and benefits of a victim. If an employer
does not allow a victim time off from work to attend a
criminal court hearing, please notify Victim Services
so the victim advocate can intervene on behalf of the
victim.
A victim cannot dismiss or drop charges against a
defendant at a bond hearing. If a victim wants to
dismiss or drop charges against a defendant, the
procedure for doing this is processed through the
Solicitor's Office. Please contact the office at (843)
915-5460 to inquire about the proper procedure. Please
note: Although a victim may want to dismiss or drop
charges against a defendant, it is the sole authority
of the Solicitor's Office to make that decision.
State Office of Victim Assistance (SOVA)
is a
department of the South Carolina Governor's Office.
SOVA provides compensation to eligible victims of
crime. There are certain medical and funeral benefits
that victims may be eligible to receive. Victim
Services at the Detention Center will help victims
complete the application process. Please call our
office at (843) 915-6915 for any questions concerning
the application process and/or to schedule an
appointment to receive help completing the
application. The SOVA application may be completed
online by the victim. Click on
SOVA
to navigate to their website to complete the online
application and print it. Contact Victim Services to
schedule an appointment with a Victim Advocate to
review the application and to get copies of legal
documents that SOVA requires.
The South Carolina Governor's Office has a crime
victims' ombudsman. The mission of the Office of the
Crime Victims' Ombudsman is to be an impartial third
party who attempts to ensure that all crime victims
are served justly, equitably, and fairly by South
Carolina's criminal justice organizations. If a victim
has questions or concerns about their rights, please
contact their office or click on their hyperlink under
Quick Links.