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Victims' Services Office
St. Stephen Police Department

Daniel Kredensor

Reverend Lawrence Moutrie

137 Hood Street, St. Stephen, SC 29479

​IF THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 911

Mission
The mission of the St. Stephen Victims’ Services Office is to ensure the rights of victims are protected while providing advocacy and support by extending compassionate and knowledgeable service to all victims of crime in the Town of St. Stephen, SC.

How We Assist You
When a crime is committed in the Town of St. Stephen, one of the primary concerns of the St. Stephen's Police Department is the victim. In an effort to ensure the rights of the victim, the Police Department has established a Victims’ Services Office. Crime victims often suffer emotional trauma, fear, confusion, and financial loss. It is our goal to make contact with the victim and maintain a relationship as long as we are needed.

Advocacy services include:

  • Act as a liaison between victim, police officers, investigators, and community-based agencies

  • Advocate on behalf of victim in court in the absence of the victim

  • Arrange for professional counseling and support groups

  • Conduct on the scene crisis intervention

  • Educate law enforcement and victims of new law pertaining to specific victimization such as domestic violence

  • Help prepare victims for court and provide court advocacy and accompaniment

  • Identify and inform victims of their rights under the law

  • Intervene on behalf of victims with creditors, employers, etc...upon request

  • Provide applications and information to victims concerning South Carolina Crime Victims’ Compensation; explain purpose, procedures, and policies, and assist in completion of forms

  • Provide emotional and moral support

  • Provide immediate crisis response with getting domestic violence victim into shelters

  • Provide information and referral

  • Provide information on rights, services and procedures if a victim or witness is harassed or threatened

  • Provide information regarding current status of case

  • Provide transportation to and from court

Our victim advocates have specialized training that prepare them to assist victims. All of our victim advocates receive ongoing training surrounding crime victims and their needs.

Victims’ Bill of Rights

To preserve and protect victims’ rights to justice and due process regardless of race, sex, age, religion, or economic status, victims of crime have the right to:

  • Be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity

  • Be free from intimidation or harm throughout the criminal and juvenile justice process

  • Be treated with fairness, respect, and dignity

  • Be reasonably informed about criminal proceedings

  • Be informed if the accused is arrested, released, or escapes

  • Confer with the prosecution before the case is heard in court

  • Be present at criminal proceedings where the accused has the right to be present

  • Be heard at proceedings affecting bond, bail, release, pleas, or sentencing

  • Have reasonable access to documents relating to the crime before trial

  • Receive restitution from the adult or juvenile offenders

  • A reasonable, prompt, and final conclusion of the case

The penalty for violating the Victims’ Bill of Rights is a Writ of Mandamus, issued by the Supreme Court or Circuit Court to require compliance.

What is a Victim Advocate

Victim advocates are trained to support victims of crime. They offer emotional support, victims’ rights information, help in finding needed resources and assistance in filling out crime victim related forms. Our advocates frequently accompany victims and their family members through the criminal justice proceedings. Advocates work with other organizations, such as criminal justice or social service agencies, to get help or information for the victims we serve.

How Our Advocates Work with Victims

Our advocates offer victims information about the different options available to them and support victims’ decision making. Our advocates are committed to maintaining the highest possible levels of confidentiality in their communication with victims. All services are in-person depending on the type of help requested and advocate availability.

If You Are a Victim

It may be difficult for you to reach out for help, but by contacting our office for victim services you will find that our victim advocates can offer you information, support, and access to helpful services that you may not know about. Many victims are relieved to know our agency strives to make sure victims are helped and receive the tools they need to recover from the impact of their crime.

Victim Resources

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