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 collaborative relationship with community agencies.  Several factors limit Latinos’ access to law enforcement and emergency services, including fear of the unknown, fear of documentation checks and lack of awareness that victims do not have to pay for an attorney.

Our Victims Program’s staff are 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
• Assisting victims with report writing
• Offering transportation for victims to court, shelters, hospitals and police departments
• Court escort
• Referring domestic violence victims to Family Violence Rape Crisis/Coalition for Family Peace