Resources for Survivors/Victims

How to Track My Kit

Visit the NC Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Tracking & Information Management System (STIMS) to track your kit. You will need to know your kit number to track your kit in STIMS. If you do not know your kit number, contact the law enforcement agency investigating your case.

NC Crime Victim’s Bill of Rights

For more information about your rights as a victim or survivor visit the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network here.

Key Terms and Definitions for Victims/Survivors

  • Advocate: An advocate is someone who provides free support to a victim/survivor. A system-based advocate (SBA) is the liaison between the victim/survivor and the criminal justice system. An example of a SBA is an advocate from a law enforcement agency. A community-based advocate (CBA), such as from a local rape crisis center, provides victims/survivors with confidential advocacy services that they often need to process their experience effectively. Examples include connecting them with a shelter, support groups, emergency accommodations, counseling, and even medical and court advocacy and accompaniment.
  • CODIS: The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is the national DNA computer database run by the FBI, that allows for federal, state, and local forensic laboratories to exchange information and compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking serial crimes to each other and to known offenders.
  • CODIS hit: When a DNA profile from evidence in an unsolved case matches the DNA profile from a convicted offender or an arrestee or the DNA profile from another case. A “hit” can provide an investigative lead to help solve an unsolved case.
  • CODIS upload, no hit (YET): The DNA profile does not match a DNA profile in CODIS, but will stay in CODIS and be continuously compared to DNA profiles added later.
  • Cold Case: An unsolved criminal investigation which remains open pending the discovery of new evidence such as a new witness, or new DNA evidence.
  • Convicted: Having been declared guilty of a criminal offense by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge.
  • Defendant: The individual accused of a crime.
  • Defense Attorney: The lawyer for (representing) the person accused of a crime.
  • Detective: An investigator from a law enforcement agency whose occupation it is to investigate and solve crimes. They often do this by collecting information by talking to witnesses, collecting physical evidence, or searching records in databases.
  • DNA Profile: Unique like a fingerprint, but uses a person’s DNA to identify an offender or link case evidence together; the DNA profile is generated after biological evidence is collected and analyzed, such as via a SAK.
  • Evidence: Any information, including the testimony of a victim/survivor or witness, documents, physical objects, or scientific evidence like DNA, that is admissible in court to support an accusation of a crime.
  • Forensic: Relating to gathering, testing, and analyzing evidence to solve a crime.
  • Investigation: The act or process undertaken by law enforcement to carefully seek, collect, and examine evidence of a crime to discover the truth.
  • Medical Forensic Exam: A medical-forensic examination – is the process whereby a SANE gathers a detailed medical history; history of the assault; conducts a thorough examination; assesses, documents and coordinates treatment for physical findings and injuries; preservation of biological evidence; education on gender-based violence; prevention of adverse health effects, pregnancy and STI testing and prevention; coordination of care; safety-planning; assessing for destructive coping mechanisms and suicidal ideations; and coordination of follow-up care for other physical or mental health care needs.
  • NCSCL: The North Carolina State Crime Laboratory (NCSCL) receives, processes, and analyzes SAK’s.
  • Prosecutor: The lawyer who is responsible for starting legal proceedings and proving in court that the accused (defendant) has committed the crime(s) that s/he is charged with beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the lawyer the victim/survivor will work with in court.
  • Sexual Assault Kit (SAK): Sometimes referred to as a “kit” or “rape kit”, the SAK is a package of materials used to collect samples from a victim’s body by a medical professional, following a sexual assault.
  • SAKI: The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) provides funding to support the testing of SAKs that were never submitted for testing, as well as funding to create a coordinated community response that ensures just resolution to sexual assault cases through (1) a comprehensive and victim-centered approach, (2) jurisdictional capacity building to prevent high numbers of untested SAKs in the future, and (3) supporting the investigation and prosecution of cases for which SAKs were previously untested. In 2018, the North Carolina Department of Justice became a recipient of a SAKI award.
  • SANE: A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) is a registered nurse who has received specialized training in the assessment, treatment and coordination of care for people who have experienced acute sexual abuse/assault, as well as the collection and preservation of biological evidence. The goal of a SANE is to improve health outcomes for patients experiencing violence through education, prevention of adverse health consequences, connecting patients to resources, and through promoting patient empowerment throughout the exam process.
  • STIMS: North Carolina Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Tracking and Information Management System (STIMS) is a database that allows victims/survivors to securely track their sexual assault kits as they go through processing
  • Testimony: A formal written or spoken statement under oath, especially one given in a court of law.
  • Untested Kits: Sexual Assault Kits that have not been submitted to a forensic laboratory for testing and analysis using CODIS-eligible DNA methodologies.

State Organizations & Resources

NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV)

NCCADV leads the state’s movement to end domestic violence and to enhance work with survivors through collaborations, innovative trainings, prevention, technical assistance, state policy development and legal advocacy. NCCADV is the hub/technical assistance provider for all NC domestic violence crisis centers in the state.

NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA)

The North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault is an inclusive, statewide alliance working to end sexual violence through education, advocacy, and legislation. NCCASA is the hub/technical assistance provider for all 100 NC rape crisis centers.

NC Department of Justice

Public Protection Section

The Public Protection Section (PPS) works to protect the public and prevent crime in North Carolina. Through policy and public protection education, they focus on helping victims and survivors of violent crime, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and stalking.

North Carolina State Crime Laboratory

The North Carolina State Crime Laboratory operates a full-service laboratory in Raleigh; a Western Regional Crime Laboratory in Edneyville; and a Triad Regional Crime Laboratory in Greensboro. They oversee the testing of all rape kits that are part of the backlog, as well as all since the backlog ended.

NC Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit Tracking & Information Management System (STIMS)

This website enables tracking of sexual assault evidence collection kits in the State of North Carolina in compliance with NC General Statute 114-65. Victims of sexual assault can view the history and current status of their sexual assault evidence collection kit, if their kit was collected after October 1, 2018.

NC Victim Assistance Network

Through advocacy, training, and technical assistance, North Carolina Victim Assistance Network supports the rights and well-being of surviving loved ones of homicide victims and others harmed by violent crime in North Carolina.

National Resources

Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center and the Sexual Assault Support & Help Center for Americans Abroad Program

The crisis center can be reached internationally toll-free from 175 countries, serving both civilian and military populations overseas. Advocates can be reached 24/7 by first dialing your AT&T USADirect access number and at the prompt, enter the phone number: 866-USWOMEN (879-6636).

  • Phone: (866) USWOMEN (879-6636)

Department of Defense (DoD) Safe Helpline

DoD Safe Helpline is a crisis support service specially designed to provide live, one-on-one support to sexual assault survivors, their loved ones, and anyone within the DoD community looking for more information. All Safe Helpline services are confidential, anonymous, secure, and available worldwide, providing survivors with the help they need, anytime, anywhere.

Safe Helpline staff members have been trained to answer questions relating to military specific topics such as Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting and how to connect with relevant military resources, such as an installation or base’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), should those services be requested.

End Rape on Campus (EROC)

EROC works to end campus sexual violence through direct support for survivors and their communities; prevention through education; and policy reform at the campus, local, state, and federal levels.

  • EROC Website
  • Phone: (202) 281-0323 (NON EMERGENT, information only)

Human Rights Campaign (for LGBTQIA+ Survivors)

Sexual violence affects every demographic and every community – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lesbian, gay and bisexual people experience sexual violence at similar or higher rates than heterosexuals. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects (NCAVP) estimates that nearly one in ten LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) has experienced sexual assault from those partners. Studies suggest that around half of transgender people and bisexual women will experience sexual violence at some point in their lifetimes. For a list of survivor resources for those who identify as LGBTQIA+, see the Human Rights Campaign website below.

Joyful Heart Foundation

The mission of the Joyful Heart Foundation is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

  • NAMI Website
  • Phone: (800) 950-6264
  • Immediate Assistance: Text NAMI to 741741

National Domestic Violence Hotline

The hotline provides 24/7 confidential, one-on-one support to each caller, offering crisis assistance and information about next steps. Bilingual advocates are on hand, and the Language Line offers translations in 170+ different languages.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

  • Phone: (800) 273-8255

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)

RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN operates the following hotlines:

National Sexual Assault Hotline – 800.656.HOPE (4673)

This hotline will connect you to the rape crisis center nearest you, to provide emotional support, advice and crisis intervention in your community.

National Sexual Assault Online Hotline

The online hotline provides support, advice, and crisis intervention through a secure instant-messaging format. For help in Spanish, visit rainn.org/es.

RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI)

The National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) provides funding through a competitive grant program to support the jurisdictional reform of approaches to sexual assault cases resulting from evidence found in sexual assault kits (SAKs) that have never been submitted to a crime laboratory. SAKI is administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) and aims to create a coordinated community response that ensures just resolution to sexual assault cases through (1) a comprehensive and victim-centered approach, (2) jurisdictional capacity building to prevent high numbers of untested SAKs in the future, and (3) supporting the investigation and prosecution of cases for which SAKs were previously untested.

StrongHearts Native Helpline

The StrongHearts Native Helpline (1-844-762-8483) is a culturally-appropriate domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans, available every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT. StrongHearts advocates offer the following services at no cost: peer support and advocacy, information and education about domestic violence and dating violence, personalized safety planning, crisis intervention, and referrals to Native or Tribal-based domestic violence service providers.

VictimConnect Resource Center

The VictimConnect Resource Center provides a place for crime victims to access information about their rights and options, resources, and referrals. In addition to web-based resources, a traditional telephone-based helpline and online chat are available.