Author: Kim Banko and Ashley Thornton
Since 1981, National Crime Victims' Rights Week is celebrated every year in April. The week is dedicated to educating the community about victimization; the effect victimization has on individuals, families, friends, and the community, and to promote laws, policies, and programs to help victims of crime.
NCDAC’s Victim Supports Services Department
Here in NC, the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, which defined certain rights and protections for victims (or next of kin, if the victim is deceased), became law in 1999. One year prior, the NCDAC Victim Support Services Department (VSS) was established and has been offering post-conviction advocacy and services ever since.
The NCDAC VSS aims to compassionately serve crime victims by providing notification, information, and direct services to those affected by crime. VSS staff members provide advise crime victims on NCDAC policies and procedures, educate victims on the post-sentencing process, act as advocates for victims navigating the criminal justice system, answering questions on offenders’ status, and assisting in resolving issues.
NC SAVAN
VSS coordinates the NC SAVAN notification system and NCDAC’s OPUS system, which provide victims and members of the public options to stay informed of offender status changes. In 2023, 20,497 offenders entered NC prisons and 47,587 were placed on community supervision. In that same year, 99,745 registrants were a part of the North Carolina Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification (NCSAVAN) system, and 1,040,735 victim notifications were sent.
VSS staff also assist victims with no-contact orders and with obtaining a county block when they do not feel safe with an offender housed in the county where they live or work and will accompany victims to parole meetings for support and guidance.
Victim Offender Dialogue
“We work to help all stakeholders understand crime victims’ issues more deeply,” says Kim Banko, NCDAC VSS director. “This year, we are excited to roll out our new Victim Offender Dialogue program – a restorative justice program that is both victim-centered and offender-sensitive. It provides an opportunity for both parties to engage in open and facilitated communication to address the harm caused, understand the impact of the offense, and find ways to promote healing and resolution.”
During a Victim Offender Dialogue, participants share their experiences, express emotions, ask questions, and discuss the consequences of the crime. The process is typically guided by a trained facilitator who ensures a safe and respectful environment for all involved.
“The purpose of Victim Offender Dialogue is not to replace or undermine the criminal justice system but to complement it by providing an alternative approach that focuses on repairing the harm caused to victims and promoting accountability for offenders,” explains Banko. “It allows victims to have a voice, be heard, and seek answers to their questions, while offenders gain insight into the impact of their actions and take responsibility for their behavior.”
Also, this year, VSS is piloting Victim Impact classes for offenders – a program that uses a U.S. Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime curriculum. Victim Impact classes also involve both victims and victim service providers and use the “power of the personal story” to reinforce the curriculum content.
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Learn more about NCDAC Victim Support Services department at dac.nc.gov/victim-services. VSS can be reached at 866-719-0108 or SVC_DAC_victimservices@dac.nc.gov.