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Victim's Services
Assistance to Latino Victims of Crime or Fraud
Our Bilingual Victim's Assistance Program began in 1997 with funding from the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission. This program has been successful due to the trust we have developed with the Latino population and our strong collaborative relationship with criminal justice system personnel. Several factors limit Latinos' access to law enforcement and emergency services, including fear of authority, documentation status, and lack of awareness that victims do not have to pay for an attorney.
Due to limited access to banking services, Latinos often carry large sums of money or hide it in their homes, making them a target for robberies. Our Victims Program's staff is on-call 24/7 for all of Chatham's law enforcement agencies to assist Latino victims of crime. We ensure that Spanish-speaking victims have access to the criminal justice system and other vital health and human services by:
Disseminating information about laws and victim's rights via newsletters, presentations, and radio
Helping victims understand and access the criminal justice system
Interpreting for Latino victims as they access the criminal justice system and other services
Informing victims of their rights, options, and available resources
Providing crisis counseling, emotional support, and follow-up
Advocating for victims in court and interpreting when needed
Offering transportation for victims to court, shelters, doctor's appointments, and police departments
Referring robbery victims to our Financial Counselor for assistance in opening a bank account
Referring domestic violence victims to Family Violence Rape Crisis/Coalition for Family Peace
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