About

Read below to learn more about SCVAN and our Legal Services Program.
You can find our Online Intake Form here.
¿Es usted una víctima que necesita asistencia legal? Haga clic aquí.
 

The South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN) was created to form a network of service providers to better protect and serve victims of crime. Our main objectives are:

  • to ensure ALL crime victims receive access to and assistance from the criminal justice system
  • to improve the quality of services provided to crime victims by victim advocates
  • to ensure the criminal justice system adequately serves crime victims

To meet these objectives, we advocate for crime victims inside and outside of the courtroom, enhance public awareness, maintain a communication network, provide technical support and training, educate on legislative initiatives, and coordinate policy development.

For three decades, our organization has been the “go-to” voice for South Carolina’s victims of crime and those who serve them. We have five departments: Legal, Crime Victim Information and Service System, Financial Relief for Victims, Faith Based Victim Services, and Forensic Nurse Examiner Coordinator.

Click here to learn more about SCVAN and our other programs.

SCVAN Legal wants ALL victims to  receive assistance. This can be in the form of:
  • Information about the criminal justice process and crime victims’ rights
  • Consultations with our staff attorneys
  • Referrals for legal and non-legal resources including attorneys and counselors
  • Direct representation in South Carolina’s criminal, civil, and magistrate courts

Click here to begin the intake process.

 

In October 2020, SCVAN was awarded a grant through the Office for Victims of Crime to create a new legal appellate clinic focused specifically on crime victims' rights. There is minimal case law in South Carolina to support victims’ statutory and constitutional rights. New law created through appellate work is necessary to strengthen existing rights and support their enforcement in the lower courts. Therefore, we have partnered with the National Crime Victim Law Institute and created an Appellate Law Clinic to increase victim access to no cost legal services and provide training and technical assistance to meet this need.

 

Interested in volunteering with the clinic? Fill out our Volunteer Interest Survey. 

 

Have a case you want to refer to the clinic? Fill out our Referral Form. Please know that we cannot accept any cases until the victim has completed an intake either online or over the phone. 

 

In October 2020, SCVAN was awarded a grant through the Office of Violence on Women. With a focus on South Carolina’s rural communities and devoting 50% or more of LAV grant funded activities to victims of sexual assault, SCVAN Legal has created the Victim Transition Assistance Program (VTAP). The goal of the program is to refer victim clients to community partners who will provide in-kind services to empower victim clients to take steps to become self-sufficient survivors through personal and professional success.

Below are some opportunities for survivors to become more financially self-sufficient*: 

 
Kraft Heinz
...is hiring for positions in its Newberry County facility.  Positions are full-time, 40-50 hours per week, $13-$15 per hour.  Employee benefits include a discount food store, transportation assistance, job preparation, and an employee assistance program that includes a number of counseling sessions per year, personalized guidance for daily life responsibilities, online resources for emotional wellbeing and work/life balance, and free consultations for some legal matters and for financial services and support.  Kraft Heinz is looking to add even more employee benefits. 
 
Cintas
...is hiring for approximately 20 positions in its Greenville County facility.  Cintas has folder and inspection positions available, with the opportunity for advancement.  Hiring is for either 2nd shift (2 p.m. - 10 p.m.) or 3rd shift (10 p.m. - 6 a.m.).  No minimum qualifications are required.  A background check is required.  Pay is $12 per hour.  Hiring is open to non-English speaking applicants.  Cintas offers non-English interpreter services, as well as American Sign Language interpreter services.
To apply, visit careers.cintas.com, and enter “29607” as the zip code on the search screen.
 

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Program

...provides funding to prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless and to rapidly rehouse homeless individuals and families. 

For homeless prevention efforts, ESG offers: 
Housing relocation and stabilization services; and
Rental assistance to prevent the individual or family from moving into an emergency shelter and can include financial assistance with paying rent, back rent (rental arrears), rental application fees, security deposits, advance payment of last month's rent, utility deposits and payments, moving costs, housing search and placement, housing stability case management, mediation, legal services, and credit repair.

For Rapid Re-Housing, ESG offers:
Housing relocation and stabilization services; and
Rental assistance to help individuals or families living in an emergency shelter or another temporary place to move as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieve stability in that housing.

To apply, contact the agency listed for your county:

LOWCOUNTRY CONTINUUM OF CARE (COC)
8084 Rivers Avenue, Suite 200
North Charleston, SC  29406
843.737.8357
https://lowcountrycoc.org/hp-1
COUNTIES SERVED:  Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Hampton, Jasper

UNITED HOUSING CONNECTIONS (UHC)
135 Edinburg Court, Suite #201
Greenville, SC  29607
864.241.0462
UpstateCoC@uhcsc.org
https://www.unitedhousingconnections.org
COUNTIES SERVED:  Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union

MIDLANDS AREA CONSORTIUM FOR THE HOMELESS (MACH)
1818 Blanding Street
Columbia, SC  29201
803.733.5400
midlandshomeless@gmail.com
https://www.midlandshomeless.com
COUNTIES SERVED:  Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Chester, Fairfield, Newberry, Lancaster, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, York

EASTERN CAROLINA HOUSING ORGANIZATION (ECHO)
407 Broadway Street
Myrtle Beach, SC  29577
843.213.1798
frontdesk@echousing.org
https://echousing.org
COUNTIES SERVED:  Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, Sumter, Williamsburg

 

 

Richland Library Social Workers
Richland County, SC 

Providing application assistance, information, and referrals on:

  • FAFSA
  • Food (including vouchers and providers)
  • Housing/Shelter Referrals
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
  • Legal Assistance Referrals
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare Prescription Assistance
  • SNAP (Food Stamps)
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Vision/Dental Needs
  • Voter Registration
  • Kinship Support

Free of charge services are provided to all Richland Library customers and those in the surrounding community, and a library card is NOT required.  To request an appointment, visit richlandlibrary.com/services/meet-social-worker, or call 803.231.6356.

 


Spartanburg Community College’s Free Tuition Initiative

WHO is eligible for SCC’s free tuition?

  • Free tuition at SCC is available to anyone with a desire to begin or continue their education, including…
  • Anyone who lives or works in S.C.
  • Adults with some or no college
  • Recent high school graduates
  • Dual enrolled high school students
  • Career changers
  • Anyone who needs a do-over – start college again
  • All college-eligible students who enroll at SCC for a minimum of six credit hours (typically two courses) are eligible for SCC’s free tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year (begins fall 2021 term).
  • To qualify for SCC’s free tuition, students must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and have exhausted all other grants, aid, scholarships, etc. Assistance may include, but is not limited to, grants (Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grant, S.C. Needs-Based Grant); and scholarships, SC Lottery Tuition Assistance Program (LTAP), etc.

WHO are college-eligible students?

  • Anyone who has received a high school diploma or GED (Graduate Equivalency Degree)
  • Anyone who enrolls at SCC and takes a minimum of six credit hours (typically two courses)
  • Full-time and Part-time students
  • Online and in-person
  • South Carolina residents
  • Nonresidents with full-time employment in South Carolina
  • DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
  • International students
  • Dual enrolled high school students

WHAT does the free tuition initiative cover?

  • The free tuition initiative covers tuition only for SCC academic (credit) program offerings as long as all eligibility requirements have been met (see above).
  • The free tuition initiative does not cover books, supplies, fees, living expenses, etc. Students are responsible for any program-specific fees including, but not limited to, distance learning/hybrid distance learning fees, lab fees, and any other non-academic assessed fees.

WHAT about non-credit courses?

  • The free tuition initiative does not include Corporate and Community Education (CCE) non-credit classes, but funding is frequently available. Give them a call at 864-592-4900.

WHEN does the free tuition initiative begin?

  • SCC’s free tuition is available throughout the 2021-2022 academic year—fall 2021, spring 2022, summer 2022 semesters—to all college-eligible students.

Visit www.sccgoesfree.com for the most up-to-date information.

*Updated July 2021

Reaching Rural Project

SCVAN received one of three subawards from the National Crime Victim Law Institute and the U.S. Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime to increase legal access to rural crime victims using technology.

We focus on the underserved areas of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties.

Reaching Rural serves these communities in two ways:

(1) Direct Support to victims through Victims' Rights Centers 

(2) Online support through a new legal website and attorney portal

Victims' Rights Centers (VRCs)

We partnered with local organizations in six counties to establish Victims’ Rights Centers - private, secure office spaces where victims have access to a computer, a secure internet connection, scanner, and printer. Videoconferencing connects victims and attorneys for consultations and meetings prior to representation in court.
 

User Friendly Videoconferencing for Victims & Attorneys

Technology is used with a Smartphone or personal device.  No app or special software is required for victims, which is critical for their safety.  Attorneys receive account credentials to initiate the call.  If victim cannot travel to a VRC due to a transportation, health, or safety reason, they can still quickly connect with an attorney.  A simple link launched from Firefox or Chrome starts an encrypted video call between attorney and victim.
Although we have two physical office locations, our team assists victims throughout the state! 
MAIN NUMBER: (803) 750-1200
(note: please press * before dialing the extension)
Sarah Ford, Legal Director/Attorney
sarah@scvan.org
Ext. *6550
UPSTATE OFFICE
P.O. Box 170364, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29301
Lauren Barnwell
Senior Staff Attorney
lauren@scvan.org
Ext. *6453
 
Tamika Cannon
Senior Staff Attorney
tamika@scvan.org
Ext. *6455
 
Meghan Gilmer
Senior Staff Attorney
meghan@scvan.org
Ext. *0275
 
Cindy Valerio
Bilingual Paralegal/ Victim Advocate
Ext. *6456
MAIN OFFICE
P.O. Box 212863, Columbia, South Carolina 29221
Terri Bailey
Senior Staff Attorney
terri@scvan.org
Ext. *0473
 
Rebekah Hiatt
Staff Attorney
rebekah@scvan.org
Ext. *1312
 
Nicole McCune
Paralegal/ Victim Advocate
nmccune@scvan.org
Ext. *0742
 
Cassie Green
Victim Access Coordinator
cassie@scvan.org
Ext. *4000
 
Brenda Miller
Legal Access Coordinator
brenda@scvan.org
Ext. *0912
 
Benjamin Black
Data Entry Clerk
benjamin@scvan.org

 

La Red de Asistencia para las Víctimas de Carolina del Sur (SCVAN) se creó para formar una red de proveedores de servicios que protejan y sirvan mejor a las víctimas de delitos.
Nuestros objetivos principales son:

  • Garantizar que TODAS las víctimas de delitos tengan acceso y reciban asistencia del sistema judicial penal.
  • Mejorar la calidad de los servicios prestados a las víctimas de delitos por parte de los defensores de las víctimas.
  • Garantizar que el sistema judicial penal atienda adecuadamente a las víctimas de delitos.

Al cumplir con estos objetivos, abogamos por las víctimas de delitos dentro y fuera de los tribunales, mejoramos la conciencia pública, mantenemos una red de comunicación, brindamos apoyo técnico y capacitación, proporcionamos educación sobre las iniciativas de ley y coordinamos el desarrollo de políticas.

Durante tres décadas, nuestra organización ha sido la voz de referencia para las víctimas de delitos de Carolina del Sur y para quienes las atienden. Contamos con cinco departamentos: Legal, Sistema de Información y Servicio para Víctimas de Delitos, Ayuda Financiera para Víctimas, Servicios para Víctimas Basados en la Fe y Enfermero Forense.

 

Nuestro objetivo es que TODAS las víctimas reciban asistencia. Esto puede ser de distintas formas:

  • Información sobre el proceso judicial penal y los derechos de las víctimas de delitos.
  • Consultas a nuestro equipo de abogados.
  • Referencias para recursos legales y no legales, incluidos abogados y asesores.
  • Representación directa en los tribunales penales, civiles y de primera instancia de Carolina del Sur.

 

Proyecto de Alcanzamiento Rural

SCVAN recibió una de las tres subvenciones del Instituto Nacional de Derecho de Víctimas de Crimen y de la Oficina de Víctimas de Crimen del Departamento de Justicia de los EE. UU. para aumentar el acceso legal a las víctimas de crimen en lugares rurales utilizando tecnología.

Nos enfocamos en las áreas desatendidas de los condados de Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton y Jasper.

Alcanzamiento Rural le sirve a estas comunidades de dos maneras:

(1) Apoyo directo a las víctimas a través de los Centros de Derechos de las Víctimas

(2) Apoyo en línea a través de un nuevo sitio web legal y portal de abogados

Centros de derechos de las víctimas (VRC)
Videoconferencia fácil de usar para víctimas y abogados
Nuevo sitio web legal
Portal de apoyo a abogados

-----
Centros de derechos de las víctimas (VRC por sus siglas in ingles)

Nos asociamos con organizaciones locales en seis condados para establecer Centros de Derechos de las Víctimas: espacios de oficinas privados y seguros donde las víctimas tienen acceso a una computadora, una conexión segura a Internet, escáner e impresora. La videoconferencia conecta a víctimas y abogados para consultas y juntas antes de la representación en la corte.

----
Videoconferencia fácil de usar para Víctimas y Abogados

La tecnología se utiliza con un teléfono inteligente o dispositivo personal. No se requiere ninguna aplicación o software especial para las víctimas, lo cual es crítico para su seguridad. Los abogados reciben credenciales de cuenta para iniciar la llamada. Si la víctima no puede viajar a un VRC debido a razones de transporte, salud o seguridad, aún puede conectarse rápidamente con un abogado. Un enlace simple es lanzado desde Firefox o Chrome iniciando una videollamada encriptada entre el abogado y la víctima.

Las víctimas han brindado comentarios inspiradores sobre cómo esta tecnología los empodera y los hace sentir conectados y apoyados después de la victimización.

-------
Nuevo sitio web legal

Manténgase al día con noticias, eventos e información a través de nuestro nuevo sitio web. Los recursos organizados por condado incluyen cortes, Departamentos de Policía, Servicios para Víctimas, albergues y más. Una gran cantidad de información está disponible para las víctimas, los proveedores de servicios y el público. Los socios comunitarios y los proveedores de servicios pueden someter eventos para promocionar en nuestro calendario.