Center for Domestic Violence, Sex Assault Victims Nears Completion

July 18, 2011
By Nancy McCleary

A Family Justice Center to serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault is close to being a reality.

Fayetteville Police Chief Tom Bergamine would like to have the center open by Sept. 1, "so that's what we're shooting for," said police Detective Kellie Berg.

The center will be in the city-owned historic Beldon-Horne House at 519 Ramsey St.

The community can lend support July 30, when volunteers will hold a fundraiser and clean the building, Berg said. The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hot dogs and drinks will be served.

Berg has been working for more than a year to create a center where victims of domestic and sexual crimes can get support and help.

The idea, Berg said, is to have a one-stop location for services and provide case management for the crimes.

Each victim will have an advocate who will assist in filling out forms, help them find a place to stay if necessary, get any needed medical care and stay with them through the process.

"Right now," Berg said, "victims have to go through it by themselves. Lots of times, they back out of (cooperating with investigators) because of this."

Several organizations and law enforcement agencies have agreed to take part, Berg said.

They include the city of Fayetteville, the Fayetteville, Spring Lake and Hope Mills police departments, Fort Bragg Army Criminal Investigative Division, Army Community Services, the county Department of Social Services and the courts.

Others include the Rape Crisis Volunteers of Cumberland County, the District Attorney's Office, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office and The Care Center.