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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 Gregory 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.
Effective 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 Gregory 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 Gregory 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 Gregory in the Spartanburg Resident Agency
at 864-948-1497. |