Mission Statement

After evaluating the most efficient way to reach crime victims, the Cherokee County Domestic Violence Task Force is teaming up with local law enforcement for this year’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, slated for April 22-28.

Working jointly with first responders, the task force will help victims gain knowledge about services that are available to them, including help with case management, support groups, transitional housing and legal advice.

“We are very optimistic that getting the information to first responders will have a huge impact because so many victims do not know what services are out there,” Cherokee Family Violence Center (CFVC) legal advocate and task force chair Niki Lemeshka said.

Lemeshka said it was imperative for law enforcement to hand out information on scene because many victims do not go forward with the legal process in fear of retaliation or losing their livelihood if they are reliant on their abuser.

“There might also be a level of love,” she said.

All next week, task force members will provide the information packets for law enforcement and the Department of Family and Children Services during roll call.

Formed in 1992, the task force is composed of judges, prosecutors, advocates, law enforcement, medical professionals, educators, as well as citizens and survivors of crime. The force’s goal is to address intimate partner violence and formulate a solution.

“The task force’s mission is to strength and sustain the coordinated community response to intimate partner violence in Cherokee County by promoting systemic change; providing ongoing and evolving education and awareness to the community at-large; enhancing victim safety; and increasing perpetrator accountability,” Lemeshka said.

This year marks the third year the task force has received federal grant funding from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) to promote crime victims’ rights.

The task force, which was one of 82 organizations selected for funding, plans to engage the community next week through numerous “Community Awareness Projects” focused on the national theme: “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim.”

“Members of our community are encouraged to help promote justice through services to crime victims by joining our activities and supporting victim assistance programs throughout the year,” Lemeshka said.

A victims’ impact panel is once again on the agenda for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. During the victim impact panel luncheon slated for April 26, victims of impaired drivers, sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking will share their powerful experiences.

“It helps us hear from someone who has experienced abuse and how the system worked for them,” Lemeshka said.

OVC Acting Director Joye Frost said it is community projects like the impact panel that helps saves lives.

“Recent studies show that too many crime victims and survivors do not avail themselves of many services in our communities that can help them through very devastating experiences,” Frost said. “National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is our opportunity to support public awareness of crime victims’ rights and the critical, often life-saving, services provided by thousands of programs across our nation to help crime victims.”

Also on the agenda next week is an art contest conducted with local elementary school-aged children.

“It’s a proactive attempt to reach victims,” Lemeshka said. “We talk to them about the importance of talking to adults about possible crimes.”

For additional information on the task force or projects planned for next week … e-mail niki@cfvc.org.  For more information on the CFVC, visit cfvc.org. English and Spanish-speaking hotlines are open 24 hours and can be reached at (770) 479-1703 (English) or (770) 720-7050 (Spanish).