The Special Victims Unit (SVU) is staffed by seven attorneys who specialize in the prosecution of domestic violence, child abuse, sex offender registry cases. elder abuse and abuse against disabled adults.

Domestic Violence Division:
The Domestic Violence Division handles all violent felonies and misdemeanors involving intimate partners, family members and individuals living or formerly living in the same household. This division has three specialized prosecutors who prosecute domestic violence cases in both State and Superior Court.  These prosecutors are actively involved in training local law enforcement agencies about the dynamics of domestic violence and the complicated legal issues frequently encountered in these cases.

Child Abuse Division:
The Child Abuse Division handles physical and sexual abuse cases involving children. The division was established in 1988 and is one of the longest serving child abuse units in the state.  This division has two specialized prosecutors specially trained to prosecute cases involving child victims.

Elder / Disabled Adult Division:
The Elder/Disabled Adult Division was established in 2006 and is one of only four such specialized divisions in the state.  This Division prosecutes persons who abuse, neglect or exploit disabled adults or elderly persons (65 years of age or older).  In June 2009 the Elder Abuse Division successfully tried the first financial exploitation case involving an elderly victim.  This was the first such trial in Chatham County and resulted in a conviction.

Registered Sex Offender Division:
Although Chatham County is the 6th most populous County in the state, it has the third largest population of registered sex offenders, in part, due to the aggressive Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Divisions.  The Registered Sex Offender Division works closely with the Chatham County Sheriffs Department, the Department of Corrections Probation Division and other local law enforcement agencies to manage this large population of offenders.  The Division aggressively pursues prosecution of registered sex offenders who fail to abide by their registration duties.  From May 2004 - May 2009, according to the Department of Corrections, Chatham County led the state in the number of Registered Sex Offender convictions.

To access the Chatham County Sheriff's Department’s Sex Offender and Tracking Unit web site visit the S.O.R.T. webpage.

SVU staff can be reached at (912) 652-7308, during regular business hours.