Victims' Rights & Resources

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As required by the Crime Victims' Rights Act, the Cary Police Department sends information regarding victims of domestic violence and other crimes to the Wake County District Attorney's Office. The Rights Act also provides victims of certain crimes with compensation and additional services. If you are a victim of domestic violence, one of our Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives will follow up with you regarding your case.

Also provided below is a list of available local, state, and federal resources if you have become a victim of Fraud or other scams.

Domestic Violence

The Wake Network of Care is a comprehensive, up to date Service Directory of organizations that provide services and support throughout Wake County. Their site also has Specialized Service Portals focused on Housing, Food Access, Transportation, and Child and Family Services in Wake County.

Interact - (919) 828-7740. Services for the support and safety of victims of domestic violence. This service also provides a 24-hour crisis line and an emergency shelter for battered women and their children.

Kiran - (919) 831-4203 and Crisis Line 1-877-NC-KIRAN (1-877-625-4726). Kiran, which means ‘ray of light’ in Hindi, is a not-for-profit organization that serves and empowers South Asian victims of domestic violence across North Carolina by helping them rebuild their lives and ending their cycle of violence. Our mission is to serve victims of domestic abuse by providing information, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, referrals, skills development, and other culturally-sensitive support services needed to meet the unique challenges they face.

Triangle Family Services - (919) 821-0790. Offering individual, group, marriage, family, child and adolescent family counseling, along with DOSE, or Domestic Offenders Sentenced to Education. This is a 26-week program offered by Triangle Family Services. The program is designed to help men learn alternatives to deal with emotions without the use of violence.

CosTran - (919) 836-9021. Works with adults over the age of 18 who are involved in the legal system due to any type of alcohol or drug related charges, such as driving while impaired, underage possession of alcohol or drugs, and assault related charges, including domestic and family violence.

Start Your Recovery - Provides a local listing of drug and alcohol rehab centers, counseling and support, and services for past domestic violence. Resources are from nonprofit, academic and government institutions.

SAVAN - (877) 627-2826. Victims can call this number to find if a suspect is still in jail or can request to be notified when the suspect is released.

National Domestic Violence Hotline – (800) 799-SAFE. Hotline advocates available for victims and anyone calling on their behalf to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, information and referrals.

Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs)

A Safety Plan

If you are a victim of domestic violence, develop a "safety plan" that can help you avoid being hurt. Some things to consider gathering in a safe, hidden place or making arrangements ahead of time include;

Fifty dollars ($50) in cash, or more if available
A small bag with extra clothes for you and your children, if applicable
Extra keys for your residence and car
Important papers such as social security cards, birth certificates, checkbooks, insurance cards etc.
Important phone numbers, including ones like Interact (919-828-7740) and the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE)
Any special medications for you and your children, if applicable
A secret place you can go

Steps to getting a Domestic Violence Protection Order

STEP 1
Go to the Civil Clerk of Court on the 5^th floor of the Wake County Courthouse and ask for a form called COMPLAINT AND MOTION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDER. These can also be obtained from Interact or the Cary Police Department. Fill out the form carefully. You will be the plaintiff (the person making the complaint), and the person you have/had a personal relationship with will be the defendant (the person accused of abuse). Write their full name and home and work addresses in the box called “Name and Address of Defendant.” Give a phone number if possible. After you fill out the form, sign it in front of a notary public or court clerk.

STEP 2
Fill out the top part of the CIVIL SUMMONS. Write your name and a safe mailing address and phone number where you can be reached (if you are staying at a shelter or other secret place, do not write the actual street address). Write the defendant’s name, home and work addresses, and phone number, if possible. Write directions on the summons if the defendant’s address is hard to find.

STEP 3
File the Complaint with the Clerk of Court. Fill out the Complaint and Motion and file with the Clerk of Court.

STEP 4
Ask the clerk for the date and time of your hearing. If you asked for an ex parte order in your Complaint and Motion let the clerk know this. You will need to meet with a judge between 2 and 5 pm, Monday through Friday in Courtroom 5A. Whether or not you asked for an ex parte order, you will have a hearing for a Domestic Violence Protective Order. This hearing should be held within a week to ten days.

STEP 5
Before the hearing for a Domestic Violence Protective Order, a copy of the court papers must be served (delivered) to the defendant by the Wake County Sheriff’s Department. If you received an ex parte order, it will be served with the other papers.

The ex parte order is good for 10 days. After the 10 days are up, the victim must come back to court. The victim can request the order to be extended for one year.

For more information on DVPO's, you can refer to the following Web sites:

Important Phone Numbers

Wake County District Attorney - (919) 792-5000

Wake Magistrate’s Office - (919) 792-4900. The Magistrate's Office provides information criminal charges and other processes. Magistrate's are located within the Wake County Detention Center - (919) 773-7930.

Wake County Sheriff’s Communication Center - (919) 856-6911. You may call the WCSO Communications Center to find out if a protection order has been served.

Wake County Sheriff’s Victim Services Unit - (919) 856-5623 or (919) 856-6816. The WCSO Victim Services Unit is responsible for serving DVPOs in Wake County.

Substance Abuse Services

Healing Transitions - (919) 838-9800. Healing Transitions provides services for all people struggling with addiction, and offers both a men’s campus and a women’s campus tailored to serve their unique needs.

Fraud & Scam Resources

FRAUD AWARENESS & PREVENTION

Fraud can happen to anyone. Scammers rely on urgency, fear, trust, and technology to deceive victims. Knowing the warning signs can help protect you and your family.

How to Protect Yourself

• Do not share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers or emails
• Slow down, take your time, scammers pressure you to act immediately
• Verify requests independently by contacting the organization
• Do not click unknown links or download unexpected attachment
• Never send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency to someone you have not met in person
• Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication

If You Encounter a Scam

Stop communication immediately.
Do not send money or provide additional information.
Preserve evidence (screenshots, emails, phone numbers).
Contact your financial institution if money was involved.
Report the incident to the Cary Police Department and appropriate agencies listed below.
Monitor your credit-related information regularly using any of the following:

TransUnion: https://www.transunion.com/

Experian: https://www.experian.com/

Equifax: https://www.equifax.com/

First Steps After Discovering Fraud