SC Victim Assistance Network

About Us

SCVAN Brochure    SCVAN Brochure (En Espanol)

MISSION: To be the voice for all victims of crime and those who serve them.

The South Carolina Victim Assistance Network (SCVAN), a 501(c)(3) organization, was created in 1985 in response to a mandate in the S.C. Crime Victims Bill of Rights for a network of service providers to be formed to better protect and serve victims of crime. For more than 40 years, SCVAN has been the go-to agency and the statewide voice of crime victims and vital resource for the providers who serve them.

SCVAN strives to meet three primary goals:
 • To ensure that all crime victims receive access to and assistance from the criminal justice system.
 • To improve the quality of services provided to crime victims by victim advocates, and
 • To ensure that the criminal justice system adequately serves crime victims.

Help Victims of Crime Reclaim Their Lives

Every day, victims of crime are forced to navigate a new reality that most of us only see on TV, and hope never to experience. 

After the horror and trauma that violent crime brings, after the witness statements, crime scene clean up, and freedom from trafficking. After replacement of broken doors, windows, glasses and hearing aids, the stains remain - both literally and figuratively. Victims carry unseen wounds — shame, guilt, isolation, and loneliness. They feel violated and often fear retaliation from seeking help. Many struggle with depression and confusion, unsure of how to live one more day or know who they can trust. These struggles extend to close friends and family, some of whom are left with profound loss and many who feel overwhelmed and unprepared, not knowing how to help or where to turn.

For these people, the biggest danger comes when the support they desperately need for recovery isn’t accessible due to lack of funding. 

That’s where you come in—and where you can truly make a life-changing difference.

Your financial support helps expand outreach and awareness, and provide critical services that help victims rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. From immediate forensic medical care and safe relocation to legal guidance, emotional support and the educational and psychological tools to help victims heal, cope and breathe again - every dollar you give helps someone move from crisis to recovery.

This is not just about charity—it’s about standing with people in their darkest moments and helping them find light again.

Today, we’re asking you to take action:

Make a gift.
Stand with survivors.
Be part of their path forward.

No one should have to face the aftermath of crime trauma alone.

Testimonials

"SCVAN staff members are skilled at guiding victims down the right path so they feel empowered to move forward and maneuver through the criminal justice system."

• Shannon Geary, Chief Operations Officer

"Very few people know that crime victims have rights. So, it's my job to educate our community partners, law enforcement, victim service providers, and the public about victims' rights and enforcement."

• Lindsay Jacobs, Staff Attorney

"How are you today?... Often victims, as well as the caregiver or advocates, can say "I am fine" and hide that in their tone, behind a fake smile. But when we are able to interact with people in person, we can read their body language and expression better. This conference is vital to victims, who desire healing and guidance as well as those who serve and care for them. I think that human interaction is necessary for many reasons. Especially to truly gauge how well they are doing, or not doing and when needed, give them a hug and ask, "how can I help you?"

• F.T. Victim Service Provider

"Physically attending VRW is more than attending a series of workshops, it is a holistic experience I look forward to every year. Not only do you build relationships with other advocates, but it enables you to make connections with people in related fields and gather new resources that will serve you throughout your career. I am grateful we had virtual possibilities during the pandemic, but in no way does it compare to the experience of attending VRW in person."

• F.B., Victim Service Provider