Victim and Witness Assistance Program
P: (336) 229-3536
F: (336) 229-3113
Email: Victim/Witness Assistance
Victims of crime always need the support of their family and friends to help them deal with the trauma of victimization. Sometimes this support is not enough and additional help or information is needed. The Victim/Witness Advocate is available to assist victims and witnesses of crime and their families. Victims and witnesses can request and utilize the services of this program. Victim/Witness assistance is available to any victim or witness of crime committed within the jurisdiction of the Burlington Police Department.
The Victim/Witness Advocate acts as a liaison between the victim/witness and the Criminal Justice System, which would include law enforcement officers, the District Attorney, the Courts, and the Probation & Parole system. The Victim/Witness Advocate can escort the victim or witness through the court process and provide support. The Victim/Witness Advocate will assist in keeping the victim/witness informed about each step in the criminal justice process.
Additional services provided include:
- Emergency transportation.
- Assistance completing the Victim Impact Statement, a written report intended to inform the Court about the effects the crime had and perhaps continues to have on the victim.
- Crime prevention information, including home surveys.
- Advocacy for the rights of the victim on the local, state, and national levels.
- Accompanying crime victims and witnesses, when requested, to the Police Department, District Attorney’s Office and Court Proceedings.
The Burlington Police Department is a member of the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network (NCVAN). NCVAN works on the state level to ensure victim’s rights are established and to enact new laws that protect victims and their rights. NCAVN assists local agencies when needed. Additional resources can be accessed through the NCVAN website which include: Offender Search, Sex Offender Registry, NC Directory of Victim Services, NC SBI, Criminal Justice Links, Governor’s Crime Commission, Attorney Generals Office, Missing Persons, Missing Children, NC Resources, US Bureau of Justice.
Victims of Crime are entitled to the following basic rights:
- The right to be informed of and to be present at court proceedings of the accused.
- The right to be heard at sentencing of the accused in the manner prescribed by law and at other times deemed appropriate by the court.
- The right to receive restitution.
- The right to be given information about the crime, how the criminal justice system works, the rights of victims, and the availability of services for victims.
- The right to receive information about the conviction or final disposition and sentence of the accused.
- The right to receive notification of escape, release, parole, pardon, reprieve, or commutation of the accused’s sentence.
- The right to present views and concerns to the Governor or agency considering any action that could result in the release of the accused prior to such action becoming effective.
- The right to confer with the prosecution.
The Burlington Police Department is continually looking for volunteers to become Victim/Witness Advocates. If you would be interested in becoming an Advocate, please contact Belinda Parker at 336-229-3538 or Patricia Reyes-Farmer at 336-229-3582.
Our Current Advocates are:
- Patricia Reyes-Farmer – Coordinator
- Belinda Parker
- Ramona Glenn
- Dixie Stafford
- Laura Aldrich
- Jane Catoe
- Betty Jeffries
- Lisa Overcash
- Janice Poteat
- Marie Sellars
- Lucille Thomas
- Sheila Traywick
- Mike Williams
The Victim/Witness Assistance Program works closely with local social service and support agencies. Referrals are made on the basis of the victim’s specific needs. Some of those numbers are listed below.
Alamance County Bereaved Parents Group (Christian Counseling Center)
Bereavement Support Group
227-5476
Alamance County Community Services Agency
Emergency Food and Emergency Assistance Programs
229-7031
Alamance County Department of Social Services
570-6532
229-2908 – Crisis Line
Alamance Developmental Center
Preventive Services for Children with Developmental Disabilities
222-6480
Alamance Rescue Mission
Emergency home for homeless and needy men seeking to put their lives together, not who simply want one night’s help.
228-0782
229-4096 – Crisis Line
Alamance-Caswell Mental Health Center
513-4200
Social Security Administration – Burlington Office
226-8444
Salvation Army
Emergency Food, Emergency Assistance Programs, Free/Low Cost Fuel
227-5529
Crossroads (Sexual Assault Services)
Crisis Counseling, 24-Hour Crisis Line, Court Advocacy/Accompaniment, Information, Referral, Community Education, Support Groups.
228-0813
228-0360 – Crisis
Family Abuse Services (Domestic Violence/Child Abuse Services)
24 Hour Crisis Line, Counseling, Court Advocacy/Accompaniment, Information & Referral, Emergency Shelter, Support Groups, Community Educations, Transitional housing for women and children homeless because of domestic violence.
226-5982
226-5985 – Crisis
Guardian ad Litem
Advocate appointed by the Court to represent the interest of children who are allegedly being abused or neglected.
438-1016
NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Services provided to persons with physical, mental, or emotional impairments, which result in substantial impediment to employment.
570-6855
Red Cross
Disaster Relief Services
226-4906
222-3991 – Crisis
United Way
Countywide information and referral service.
438-2000
NC Division of Community Corrections
Provides information about offenders that are on Adult Probation and Parole.
570-6844
Women’s Resource Center
Displaced homemaker program and other programs and information.
227-6900
Additional Phone Number of Interest
More Burlington Police Department Numbers
| Emergency |
911
|
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Non-Emergency
|
229-3500
|
|
Information
|
229-3503
|
|
Administration
|
229-3540
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Crime Prevention
|
229-3550
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Criminal Investigations
|
229-3530
|
|
Community Policing
|
229-3550
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|
Property & Identification
|
229-3524
|
|
Magistrate
|
229-3508
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Crimestoppers
|
229-7100
|
|
Records/Reports
|
229-3521
|
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Animal Control
|
578-1386
|
|
|
| Burlington Fire Department |
|
Emergency
|
911 |
|
Non-Emergency
|
229-3500
|
|
|
|
NC Highway Patrol
|
570-6809
|
|
|
|
Alamance County Sheriff
|
570-6300
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|
|
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Alamance Regional Medical Center
|
538-7000
|
|
|
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Register of Deeds
|
570-6565
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|
|
|
Dispute Settlement Center
|
227-9808
|
|
|
|
Alamance County District Attorney
|
438-1015
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DA Victim’s & Witness Assistant
|
438-1015
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|
|
|
Alamance County Courthouse
|
438-1002
|
|
Criminal Records
|
438-1001
|
|
Child Support
|
438-1004
|
|
Juvenile Services
|
570-6872
|
|
Child Custody & Visitation
|
438-1021
|
|
Jury Clerk
|
438-1014
|
|
Sentencing Services Program
|
438-1020
|
|
Community Services
|
570-6836
|
|
Traffic Tickets
|
438-1001
|
|
Civil Division Filing
|
438-1013
|
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Small Claims
|
438-1007
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| Estates & Special Proceedings |
438-1001
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Criminal Superior Court Records
|
438-1010
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