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The
Columbia Division has an aggressive Victim Assistance Program designed
to provide emotional, informational, and practical support to victims
identified in criminal investigations under its jurisdiction. There
are two Victim Specialists (VS) assigned to the Columbia Division
that provide on-scene crisis intervention as needed, as well as
follow up by phone and in person, to ensure that victims are aware
of their rights and receive appropriate services. VS Belinda Ramsey
serves the Low Country and shares the Midlands area needs with VS
Pamela Johnson who serves the Upstate. Together they work to insure
that crime victims identified in Federal cases are treated with
dignity and compassion. Special Agents are trained in identifying
victims and provide the data to the Specialists so that information
may be entered into the Victim Notification System (VNS). VNS allows
written notice to victims of case status and arrest, as well as
the ability to access the automated system 24 hours a day for case
status. The Victim Specialists act as a liaison between the victim
and Special Agent, freeing the Special Agent of time-consuming services
that victims in their cases may require during the investigation.
Affective Victim Services is best accomplished through collaborative efforts. The Victim Specialists in the Columbia Division participate on multi disciplinary teams, task forces, coalitions, and other groups which address the coordination of victim services. Columbia enjoys working partnerships with a number of victim service providers across the Division. VS Belinda Ramsey is President of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Victim Advocate Association (SCLEVA). Members of this organization are law enforcement victim advocates (LEVA) assigned to police agencies across South Carolina. They provide services to crime victims on the local level and are valued resources to the Columbia Victim Specialists. Victim Specialists Belinda Ramsey and Pamela Johnson network with the LEVAs on a routine basis to provide on-scene crisis intervention and follow up to victims of crime in their jurisdictions. The South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN) is a strong voice for all victims of crime and the people who serve them. VS Johnson serves in an ex-officio position on the SCVAN Board, allowing the Columbia Victim Specialists to further their networking with service providers around the State. The partnership developed with the State Office of Victim Assistance (SOVA) enables personal contact with claims representatives to address issues surrounding entitlement of victims of federal crime. Regular contact with the Victim Witness Coordinators at the United States Attorney's Office enables a smooth transition for victims from investigation to prosecution. FBI Columbia continues to enhance its Victim Assistance Program in accordance with the "Attorney General Guidelines for Victim and Witness Assistance" to aid victims in their recovery and facilitate their capacity to participate and cooperate in the criminal justice process. For
more information, please contact our Columbia Office at 803-551-4200
or VS Belinda Ramsey in the Charleston Resident Agency at 843-722-0135
or VS Pamela Johnson in the Spartanburg Resident Agency at 864-948-1497. |
