Victim Services

About the Office of Victim Services

Crime is a national issue and becoming a victim/survivor of a crime can happen to anyone. Students, active in all facets of community life, are no exception. Faced with a host of critical issues, decisions and problems that can arise if one becomes a victim/survivor, life as usual - attending classes, going to work, studying, socializing - becomes anything BUT usual.

The specially designed Office of Victim Services (OVS) is available for our students no matter where a crime occurs on or off campus, or whether the student elects to file an official police report or not. So, if the victim/survivor doesn’t file a police report and/or the crime happened in Charleston, Greenville, out of state, etc., we’ve got their back.

What We Do

  • Address the immediate and long-term questions and issues (What are my options? What happens if I…? What can I…?)
  • Handle the non-counseling fallout from the crime (ex., missed classes or work, room change, course disruptions, safety planning and concerns)
  • Attend to ongoing distractions or interruptions (involvement in any judicial processes or appearances)
  • Work to resolve matters or concerns that arise related to the crime and its impact on the college experience.

How We Can Help

If crime is part of your college experience, we have you covered. No one is immune from experiencing crime. We provide assistance for victims/survivors, secondary victims and witnesses.
  • Types of Crimes in Which We Assist Victims and Survivors

    We assist victims and survivors with crimes against persons, felony crimes, violent crimes, and crimes with the potential to escalate to violence. All of which include, but are not limited to:

    • Robbery
    • Burglary
    • Physical violence
    • Aggravated assault
    • Ongoing harassment
    • Stalking
    • Intimidation
    • Rape
    • Fondling of intimate body parts
    • DUI with injury
    • Dating Violence
    • Domestic violence

  • What OVS Does NOT Handle

    The types of circumstances OVS does NOT handle includes, but is not limited to:

    • those who have allegedly committed a crime.
    • life-threatening situations including crime in progress, fire, suicide, attempted or threat of suicide, illness, or injury, etc.
      • In such instances, contact 911.
    • general roommate/suitemate disputes.
    • psychological/emotional problems (non-violent relationship issues, eating disorders, etc.).
    • drug or alcohol problems.