Cumberland County Sheriff's Office

Victim Assistance Programs

The Victim & Witness Protection Act

The Federal Victim and Witness Protection Act and the North Carolina Fair Treatment for Victims and Witnesses Act directs that certain services be made available to victims and witnesses of serious crimes, as well as to the families of murder victims and to seriously injured children.

Impact of Victimization

Your response to the event will depend on the way you typically handle a stressful situation and what support, if any, is available to you. 

The common reaction are: (1) Cognitive, (2) Emotional and (3) Physical.

The common emotions are: (1) Anger, (2) Disbelief, (3) Disorientation, (4) Fear, (5) Guilt, (6) Hyper-alertness, (7) Isolation, (8) Paranoia, and (9) Shock.

One of the first things to pay attention to is your need to feel safe.  Take precautions to make yourself feel safe,  enabling you to restore some sense of being in control.

Your Rights

As a citizen of Cumberland County you are entitled to the following:

• To be advised if an arrest is made.

• To be kept informed of the status of your case.

• To be advised about the status of the defendant.

• To be advised about all aspects of your participation in a trial.

• To have any recovered stolen property returned to you as soon as possible.

• To be advised about the results of a trail or any other disposition of the case.

Additional Links

Victims Rights - The Crime Victims' Rights Act.

Who Can Help - Contact Phone Numbers

Sheriff's Office Victim & Witness Advocate

Kathleen Watts - (910) 677-5454

kwatts@ccsonc.org

Hours of Operation:  M - F 8:00am till 5:00pm

    After hour emergencies should contact the Watch Commander at (910) 677-5432