OUTREACH AND ADVOCATE EXCHANGE - SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE - South Carolina ...
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OUTREACH AND ADVOCATE EXCHANGE
SOUTH CAROLINA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE
South Carolina Crime Victim Services Division
First Quarter
July - September 2021
The Path Forward
By Former Director Burke Fitzpatrick
Since the formation of the through decades with the De- 1980 working for the Divi-
Crime Victim Services Division partment of Public Safety, and sion of Court Administration
in July 2017, the same leader- now as the (former) Deputy in the Supreme Court. I then DID YOU KNOW?
ship has been in place – a di- Director of Crime Victim Assis- went on to serve in the Gov-
tance Grants, she is well- ernor’s Office when I over- October:
rector and four deputy direc-
tors. All that is changing. prepared to lead the division. saw (no surprise here) crimi- Breast Cancer
Having worked with BJ for 35 nal justice grants including Awareness Month
As you read this, I will have years, I can tell you that she the VOCA and VAWA pro-
retired and a new director will has a servant’s heart, filled grams. In 1993 we were Domestic Violence
have taken the helm. Compen- with grace and compassion for transferred to the new De- Awareness Month
sation Deputy Director Scott victims of crime. She also partment of Public Safety
shares my view that the Crime and in 2016 I retired, only to National Bullying Prevention
Beard has also left the agency
Victim Services Division exists be called back to DPS eight Awareness Month
so he can move his family to
Charleston (lucky man!). The to serve the victim provider months later. Then on July
November:
Deputy Director for victim advo- community, not the other way 1st 2017 I started my last
Diabetes Awareness Month
cate certification and training, around. The division is in good and best job, Director of the
Kim Hamm, has departed to hands. new Crime Victim Services December:
accept an executive position Division in the Office of the National Drunk & Drugged
with the National Children’s Working with the remaining Attorney General. Now it’s Driving Month
Alliance based in Washington deputy director, Ombudsman time to retire and goof off.
DC. And, the Deputy Director Veronica Kunz, BJ will be put- Universal Human Rights
position for the Department of ting together a new team and Always remember that you
WHAT’S INSIDE:
Crime Victim Assistance Grants she has the unqualified back- are in a noble profession Pg. 2
DCVAG Article by Joe Corey
is now open. ing of Attorney General Wilson. that alleviates the suffering
All core functions will continue of those who have been vic- CVST Article by Joe Corey Pg. 2
I hope this doesn’t sound through this transition. Not all tims of crime. It has been
alarming because all of this is change is good, but this transi- an honor to serve with you. DCVC Article by Veronica Pg. 3
good news. First, Attorney Gen- tion will be great! Godspeed. Swain Kunz
eral Alan Wilson has named BJ
I would like to close by thank- DCVC Article by Ethel Pg. 4
Nelson as the next director of Burke O. Fitzpatrick Douglas Ford
the division! BJ has devoted ing everyone in the division
her entire career in service to and the victim provider com-
munity for the privilege of work- DCVO Article by Veronica
victims of crime and the provid- Swain Kunz - continued
Pg. 5
er community. Since her start ing with you. I started with the
in the Office of the Governor, State of South Carolina in DCVC Article by Ethel Pg. 6
Douglas Ford
Publisher/Editor’s Contact Pg. 7
Information
Page 2 First Quarter July - September 2021
VOCA, VAWA and SVAP Grants Awarded
by Program Coordinator Joe Corey
Department of Crime Victim Assistance Grants (DCVAG)
https://
On August 27, the Department Currently, staff is focused on or- Within the agency, Deputy Di-
www.daysoftheyear.com/ ganizing and conducting a series
of Crime Victim Assistance rector BJ Nelson has been pro-
days/domestic-violence- Grants (DCVAG) mailed out of press conferences throughout
awareness-month/ moted to Director of the Crime
award letters to 96 different the state. These press confer-
Victims Services Division taking
victim service agencies, which ences are a great way to publicize
Domestic Violence over for Burke Fitzpatrick, who
collectively will administer 140 the work that subrecipient agen-
Awareness Month cies do throughout the year as retired at the end of August. BJ
projects throughout the coming
year. These awards are the re- well as to highlight the story of had been the Deputy Director of
Domestic Violence
Awareness Month is sult of a months-long review individual survivors. The first DCVAG since its inception in
designed to unify women process by DCVAG staff culmi- press conference of the year will July of 2017 and has worked
and men all across the nating with a meeting of the be held on September 21 in Spar- with victims grants for over 30
world who have been Public Safety Coordinating tanburg and future press confer- years. She will continue to work
victims of domestic Council, which met and ap- ences are planned for West Co- managing the day to day opera-
violence. It is important to proved the awards on August lumbia, North Charleston, and tions of DCVAG until a replace-
recognize that domestic 9th. Florence. ment can be named.
violence impacts millions
of people, and it’s not only
women who are victims;
many men suffer domestic
violence as well.
It is a problem across
every status, culture, Comings and Goings
religion, and race. There
are many different forms
of domestic violence as
by Program Coordinator Joe Corey
well, which is why raising
awareness is so critical.
Department of Crime Victim Services Training,
If you think that someone
Provider Certification, and Statistical Analysis (CVST)
you know is being abused,
it is important to speak up. This quarter, the Department of Currently, he is assisting the Notably, before joining newly
A lot of people worry that it Crime Victim Services Training, Department of Crime Victim created Crime Vitim Services
is none of their business, Provider Certification, and Sta- Assistance Grants with its Vio- Division, Kim served as the Di-
yet you could save a tistical Analysis (CVST) wel- lence Against Women Act Imple- rector of the South Carolina
person’s life by speaking comes Zach Glendening as our mentation Plan. Network of Children’s Advocacy
up. It’s better to speak up, new Statistician. Zach grew up Centers. Interviews are cur-
even if you’re wrong, in southern Ohio and began Elsewhere within the Depart- rently being conducted with
rather than saying nothing working with the Attorney Gen- ment, Deputy Director Kim applicants and the division
at all. eral’s Office in July 2021. He is Hamm has left the agency to hopes to have a new Deputy
finishing his doctorate in Com-
Simply talk to the person take a job with the National Director hired within the coming
munity Psychology at Vander-
in private and let them Children’s Alliance. Kim had weeks. The Division welcomes
bilt University, where he studies
know that you are poverty, homelessness, and been with the Department since Zach and gives our best wishes
concerned. Mention the disability issues. Zach’s general its creation in 2017 and has to Kim as she takes the next
signs and why it has work includes conducting back- worked in victims services step in her career!
worried you. Tell them that ground research, collecting and throughout the state for many
you will honor their privacy analyzing data, and presenting years.
if they open up to you, and findings to the Department.
tell them that you can help
them in any way possible.
Often, people in domestic
relationships need
someone to help them out
of the situation, and so
one conversation can
make all of the difference.
Page 3 First Quarter July - September 2021
Victims’ Rights Emergency Room: The Crime Victim Ombudsman
by Deputy Director Veronica Swain Kunz
Crime Victim Ombudsman
Everyone working in our field – In this article, we will provide a lem was or how to fix it. By the
https:// Crime Victim Services – under- few factual scenarios pulled time they found the Ombuds-
www.stompoutbullying. stands the kinds of days we directly from our files. Read man, they had attended three
org/national-bullying- have had lately here at the Om- each one and think about what parole hearings and now, the
prevention-awareness- budsman’s office. Days when you would do to solve each prob- driver was up for release. What
month people have urgent needs that lem. We will provide our re- went wrong?
simply can’t wait. sponses at the bottom of this
National Bullying article. Maybe you have a situa- Caller 4: An Advocate called on
Awareness Month We have had days where we … tion that appears to be hopeless behalf of a survivor of DV.
that the Ombudsman could “Someone” had scratched in-
...called EMS to help save a help!
Every October, schools sults and profanities in the
caller’s life;
and organi zat ions paint of the victim’s car. The
across the country join ...coordinated the capture of a Caller 1: An offender was or- survivor had a number of school
STOMP Out Bullying™ in stalker/arsonist with a victim, dered to pay restitution within age children and was under-
observing National Bul- city and county law enforcement 90 days of his release from jail, standably embarrassed and
lying Prevention Month. offices and the local Probation but the judge neglected to check upset. The Advocate was seek-
The goal: encourage Agent because the offender the correct box on the Sentenc- ing any sort of program that
schools, communities avoided arrest by crossing juris- ing Sheet to allow Probation, could help this victim. Who
and organizations to dictional boundaries; Parole and Pardon (PPP) to col- could help this survivor?
work together to stop lect the money for the victim.
...called family members to find Instead, the Solicitor told the
bullying and cyberbully- To all you Advocates reading
support for people with psycho- offender to pay the victim direct-
ing and put an end to this article, please remember
logical difficulties; ly, and gave him victim’s ad- that we are here to help you
hatred and racism by
increasing awareness ...reported suicidal threats to dress. The victim was horrified think through issues and solve
of the prevalence and first responders; and afraid of the offender. problems. We love what we do,
impact of all forms of PPP’s hands were tied – they and we love to support what you
...spoken to a responding police could not collect the money
bullying on all children do! Take care of yourself and
officer who was in the middle of even though the offender want-
of all ages. remember: it takes the gifts and
arresting a victim with whom we ed to give it to them! What
——————————————— talents many people, from dif-
had been closely working; would you do? ferent agencies, to fully support
Bullying Can Be: ...reported numerous threats by survivors on their path toward
Direct: such as hitting,, callers who told us they were Caller 2: An Advocate called and healing. Reach out! Collabo-
teasing or threatening. going to kill the police; was upset because a Judge did rate! Give us a call at 803-734-
not give bond restrictions on 0357, or email CVO@scag.gov.
...told a mental health counselor DV1st offender who attacked his
Indirect: such as ex- that her long-term client was
cluding, spreading ru- wife with gun/axe in front of
forging numerous police reports toddlers. Is this legal?
mors, internet harass- and court Orders when, in actu-
ment or manipulation. ality, no incidents had ever Caller 3: A police officer was
been reported. seriously injured while on duty
Services DCVC when he was hit by a drunk driv-
May Consider: Of course, these are all tough
calls to make but they are com- er. One of the driver’s passen-
Counseling: Therapist gers was killed and another was
must be a licensed mon-sense approaches to emer-
gencies. Even more difficult are severely injured. After a four
therapist. year wait, in 2018, the offender
cases where we have to “think
outside of the box” to help vic- was sentenced to 15 years.
Medical Bills: If the vic- tims when errors are made, However, within 6 months, the (continued on page 5)
tim acquired medical resources can’t be found, or victims were notified to attend a
expenses due to the when criminal justice profes- parole hearing! The victims
victimization, then med- sionals are unaware of the legal knew this was incorrect but they
ical bills may be consid- rights of crime victims. could not find out what the prob-
ered if directly related
to victimization.
Call DCVC: 803.734.1900
Page 4 First Quarter July - September 2021
End of Fiscal Year 20-21 Agency Stats
By Assistant Deputy Director Ethel Douglas Ford
https://crestline.com/ Department of Crime Victim Compensation (DCVC)
c/7-national-diabetes-
awareness-month- During FY20-21, DCVC paid out Restitution and Subrogation: DCVC Training and Publication
ideas over $4.6 million in claims. Items Distributed:
Restitution Collected:
National Diabetes Please see listed below the end $61,351.49
of the year DCVC statistical data: Training Events Conduct-
Awareness Month ed: 23
Subrogation Collected:
Diabetes Awareness DCVC Claims Received: $77,893.77 Participants Trained: 859
Month, along with
World Diabetes Day, Crime Victim Compensation Unclaimed Restitution Total publication Items
are large-scale events Collected: $242,057.05 Distributed: 476
Claims Received: 2,608
designed to bring
awareness to the im- Displays: 1
Adult Sexual Assault Claims Total Collected: $381,302.31
portant issue of diabe- Received: 937
tes. According to As a result of tracking cases and DCVC Auditing Section:
the American Diabetes Anonymous Sexual Assault working with attorneys, solici-
Association (ADA), Claims Received: 78 tor’s offices and advocates Victim Assistance Fines, Fees
30.3 million Ameri- across the state, the agency was and Assessment Fund:
cans (or 9.4 percent of Child Sexual Assault Claims Re- able to prohibit payment on vari-
the population) had ceived 1,868 ous claims in which reimburse- Total Audits Conducted: 9
Type 1 or Type 2 dia- ment was provided to victims by
betes in 2015. It's Child Physical Assault Claims Total Audit Complaints: 0
Received 390 other means. As a result, we
estimated that 1.25 Total Audit Inquiries: 34
were able to not pay on a num-
million Americans cur-
rently have Type 1 Total Claims Received: 5,881 ber of claims; thereby, saving Total Budgets Monitored/
diabetes. the agency $410,549.58 Desk Audits Performed:
330
Given the seriousness Total Number of Payments: HIV/nPEP Prophylaxis (Non-
of diabetes and Total Audit Funds Recoupment:
Occupational Post–Exposure
its growing prevalence, The total number of payments $88,580.47
Prophylaxis - nPEP):
it's easy to see why made on DVC claims were 4,595 Total Budget Funds Recoup-
National Diabetes
Adult population total num- ment: $0
Awareness Month and
ber of claims received: 24 Total Audit and Budget Re-
World Diabetes Day Victim Support and Advocacy -
are vital for raising Intake Service: Adult population total coupment Amount:
awareness. amount paid: $20,119.64 $88,580.47
Total Incoming Calls:3,040
In America, Diabetes Status Calls: 2,117 Adolescent/Pediatric total Eleven Year Cumulative
Awareness Month Referrals: 356 number of claims received: Auditing Stats FY10-21
dates all the way back General Info.462 9
to the early 1980s Application Requests: 31 Total Audits Conducted:
when it was designat- Adolescent/Pediatric popu- 104
Other/Misc. Calls: 30 lation total amount paid:
ed by President
Ronald Reagan for the $55,807.17 Total Audit Complaints: 10
Total Walk-in Crime Victims
first time. Both Nation- Assisted: 7 Total number of Adult and Ado- Total Audit Inquiries: 915
al Diabetes Awareness lescent/Pediatric of claims re-
Month and World Dia- Total Incoming Mail: 4,194 Total Budgets Monitored/
ceived: 33
betes Day are repre- Desk Audits Performed:
sented by a number of Total Outgoing Mail: 7,064 Total amount paid on Adult and 3,785
colors and symbols. Adolescent/Pediatric
Total Mail: 11,258 Total Audit Funds Recoupment:
The official symbol of claims: $75,926.81
$1,243,620.50
World Diabetes Day is
a blue circle, as de- Claim Negotiation: Total Budget Funds Recoup-
Eligibility Services:
signed by the Interna- ment: $841,549.03
Claim negotiation is not guaran-
tional Diabetes Feder- The staff in this section pro- Total Audit and Budget Funds
ation. teed and is based on a case by
cessed 2,127 DCVC crime victim Recoupment Amount:
case basis. All claim negotia-
compensation claims. $2,085,169.53
tions were suspended.
Page 5 First Quarter July - September 2021
Victims’ Rights Emergency Room: The Crime Victim Ombudsman
Deputy Director Veronica Swain Kunz
Crime Victim Ombudsman
https://
nationaldaycalen- (continued from page 3)
dar.com/national-
drunk-drugged-driving Responses:
-prevention-month-
december/ 1. CVO called the judge, We reviewed the rights 4. CVO called a few auto
explained the situation, of victims and discussed body shops, explained
National Drunk and and the judge immedi- this omission, and his the situation to the own-
Drugged Driving ately amended the Sen- reasoning behind it, in ers and found a compa-
Month tencing Sheet to allow the hope that the over- ny willing to repaint her
National Drunk & PPP to collect the resti- sight provided by us and car for free.
Drugged Driving Pre- tution. the Chief Judge would
vention Month, or instill a deeper under-
National 3D Preven- 2. CVO obtained a tran- standing and regard in
script of the hearing and this Judge for the safety
tion Month in Decem-
confirmed that the of survivors of domestic
ber serves as a re-
Judge did not comply violence.
minder to never drive with a portion of law that
impaired. If you’re states “… the Court 3. The three days the of-
home or traveling MUST [emphasis added] fender had actually
during the holidays, impose bond conditions served in jail before be-
you may be planning which are sufficient to ing transferred to a hos-
to go to a few parties, protect a victim from pital. CVO contacted the
get-togethers, or even harassment or intimida- detention center. Within
just to have a few tion by the defendant ...” a few days, they correct-
drinks with the family. CVO contacted the Chief ed the error and for-
If you have been Judge and requested a warded the corrected
drinking or are under meeting with both judg- paperwork to the De-
the influence of es. partment of Corrections,
drugs, do not operate and alerted the relieved
victims.
a vehicle. Remember,
you are committing
the crime of impaired
driving whenever your
ability to operate a
vehicle is impaired by
the effects of illegal
drugs, prescription
medication, over-the-
counter medication,
or a blood-alcohol
concentration of 0.08
grams per deciliter or
higher. If you are tak-
ing part in activities
like this month, or
EVER, do not make
the mistake of getting
behind the wheel. It
could cost you or
someone else their
life.Page 6 First Quarter July - September 2021
Upcoming DCVC Training and New DCVC Website
By Assistant Deputy Director Ethel Douglas Ford
Department of Crime Victim Compensation (DCVC)
https://
nationaltoday.com/ DCVC Statewide Auditing Julie Valentine Center If you are interested in
universal-human-rights Training Victim Assistance November 3, 2021 coordinating a DCVC Training
-month/ Fines, Fees and Assess- for your agency, please
ment Fund - virtual DCVC Basic Core Training contact the DCVC Outreach
Universal Human Coordinator, April Staten at
September 16, 2021 for SCCADVASA
Rights Awareness astaten@scag.gov
For additional information November 16, 2021
Month
call, 803-734-1900 For additional information,
We have seen our call 803-256-2900 or visit
share of cruelty and SC Network of http://www.sccadvasa.org
hate. We can do bet- Children’s Advocacy Cen-
ter. That’s why the
ter SC Commission on Prosecu-
world is observing Uni-
versal Human Rights October 20, 2021 tion Coordination
Month during Decem- December 2, 2021
ber. This month is a For additional information,
reminder that the Unit- call 803-343-0765
ed Nations General
Assembly codified the
basic human rights of
every person. It’s also
a time to reflect on the
way we treat others,
DCVC New Website
and to do what we can
in the fight for equali-
ty.
WHY UNIVERSAL HU-
MAN RIGHTS MONTH
IS IMPORTANT
1. It allows us to
reflect
Human Rights Month
is a powerful holiday, The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office has launched a new website! The new website is vibrant, informa-
as it allows us to look tional and easy to navigate! This email is to inform you of the new look and the newly implemented changes
back on the ways that have encompassed the rebranding, creating a unified visual appearance for the AG’s Office.
we’ve treated our fel-
low human beings. As many of you may know, www.sova.sc.gov has previously been utilized to access DCVC’s website. As a result
of new changes within the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, all departments and divisions within the
2. It reminds us
AG’s office will now be listed on the same website. Therefore, www.sova.sc.gov has been discontinued. How-
of our ideals
ever, should you click on the old website, it will direct you to the newly created DCVC web page on the AG’s
These include individu-
website. You may also go directly to the AG’s new website at https://www.scag.gov. Once on this site, please
al freedoms which we
visit DCVC’s new home by selecting “Crime Victim Services” at the top of the page and then scroll down and
must fight to protect.
click on “Department of Crime Victim Compensation”. This will provide access to DCVC’s application, docu-
3. It empowers us ments, forms, and helpful Crime Victim Service information for South Carolina victims, their families, providers
The principles in the and advocates. You will also find a tab for the Victim Assistance Fines, Fees and Assessment Fund and DCVC
Declaration of Inde- Auditing Team. You may choose to use the DCVC new short cut domain that will take you directly to the DCVC
pendence are still rele- web page by going to http://dcvc.scag.gov (replacement for the old website (www.sova.sc.gov) .
vant today. This fact
should empower each We do apologize for any inconvenience as we transition to and familiarize ourselves with this new web
of us to stand up for address. Please take some time to walk through the DCVC page on the new website and acquaint yourself with
ourselves, our own the new set up.
rights, and for the
rights of others.Page 7 First Quarter July - September 2021
Fall Is In The Air!
Welcome Fall Friends!
______________________
Contact Information
for Publisher/Editor:
Ethel Douglas Ford, CPM
Assistant Deputy Director
1205 Pendleton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803.734.1704
Fax: 803.734.1708
eford@scag.gov
http://dcvc.scag.govYou can also read
