By HEATHER WALTERS
Two local women have chosen law enforcement careers where they are serving crime victims in the Colleton County community: Katelyn Barwick, 23, of Walterboro, and Sgt. Doretha Gathers-Grant, 56, of Ruffin.
Grant is a newly certified Victim Service Provider. Barwick has been with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office for nearly two years.
They act as a victim advocate for the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office, helping community crime victims through the legal process. Victim Advocates are a mandated part of our criminal justice system in South Carolina: these advocates are assigned to crime victims, offering them counseling and helping to guide them through their offender’s court cases. The victim advocates also provide crisis intervention, case management, and give status updates to victims about their cases.
“We work with victims and/or their families and accompany them through criminal justice proceedings,” said Barwick. “We also assist victims with filling out crime victim-related forms and filing applications for Restraining Orders and Orders of Protection.
“We inform victims of their court dates and any hearings involving their case and provide transportation to and from any services. We also do referrals for counseling services and programs that can further assist the victims,” she said. “We are here to advocate for the victim and be their voice.”
Gathers-Grant is originally from North Charleston, but she moved to the Ruffin community in 1988.
Before being promoted to Victim’s Services role, Gathers-Grant was the sergeant over Court Security for the Colleton County Courthouse. In this role, she said she ensured that the courts were safe during criminal court proceedings.
“I made sure all three courts were safe and secure while protecting the public, visitors, judges, and employees and assisted with the planning and scheduling of various courts,” she said, speaking about her former role in law enforcement. “In addition to these duties, I ensured Deputy Bailiff’s completed all assignments and maintained a positive working environment for fellow staff members and visitors.”
Gathers-Grant said she is excited to be a Victim’s Advocate with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office because she can now help crime victims to regain their dignity. “As a Victim’s Advocate, I provide victims with resources that apply to their needs, including emotional support and empowerment, which aids in giving them their strength and dignity back,” she said.
Barwick and Gathers-Grant are the only two Victim Advocates that serve crime victims through the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office. There are additional advocates provided to crime victims in different agencies, such as the Walterboro Police Department and the Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. However, in 2020, there were 760 reported crimes against people that were investigated by the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office. In most of these cases, a Victim’s Advocate would be provided to help the crime victim.
