Victims Advocacy
The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Victims Advocacy works to assist individual victims, as well as the families and communities who have been affected by crime. This requires a varied approach that is tailored to each victim and their unique set of circumstances.
Once a person becomes the victim of a crime, they often need specialized assistance in coping not only with the pain and suffering caused by the incident, but also with navigating the legal process and obtaining the resources available to them.
Victims Advocates seek to ensure that crime victims have the chance to regain control and power over their own lives by being a nonjudgmental, compassionate source of information.
Victims will be guided to resources that can provide emotional, financial, legal and physical assistance as needed on a case-by-case basis.
Victims Advocacy Coordinators
Master Sergeant John Ferguson
Victims Advocacy Supervisor
843-255-3410
A typical day for a Victims Advocate ...
... may include reviewing incident reports, making referrals for mental health assistance, advising victims of case status, attending bond hearings, working with investigators and helping with the applications process for State assistance and restitution.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone directly suffering threatened physical, psychological or financial harm as a result of a criminal act is eligible for our Victim Advocacy service.
This may include the spouse, parent, child or a representative of a victim who is deceased; a minor; or someone who is physically or cognitively disabled.
Victim Advocates are not available for anyone who is under investigation, charged with a crime, or convicted of a crime.
As a victim, you have the following rights:
- To be treated with dignity and compassion.
- To be protected from intimidation and harm.
- To be informed about the criminal justice process.
- To be considered for restitution and compensation.
- To be protected in your property and employment.
- To be given due process in court proceedings.
- To be informed of an offender’s arrest, release, escape or transfer.
- To attend bond hearings and make recommendations.
- To be informed of case status and progress.
In an emergency, call 9-1-1.
To file a report or talk to a Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office deputy, call our non-emergency line at 843-524-2777.
A copy of an incident report can be obtained free of charge by any victim — who is named in the report — from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Records Section by calling 843-255-3200 or through your assigned Victims Advocate at the Sheriff’s Office.
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