Office of the Cherokee County Attorney · Columbus, Kansas (620) 304-3020 ext. 6 · info@cherokeecountyattorney.com

Victim & Witness Resources

Rights, forms, and local support for victims and witnesses of crime.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For 24/7 crisis support in Cherokee County, call Safehouse Crisis Center at 800-794-9148 or text 620-670-0754.

Crime Victim Rights in Kansas

Kansas law states a Crime Victims Bill of Rights and imposes notification and information duties on prosecutors in qualifying cases. Those provisions address respectful treatment, notice of certain proceedings, participation, victim-impact information, restitution information, and other protections. The right or procedure that applies can depend on the case and the stage of the proceedings.

See the Kansas Attorney General's overview of crime-victim rights, K.S.A. 22-3436, and K.S.A. 22-3424. Victims in a case prosecuted by this office may contact us for case-specific information.

Crime Victim Compensation

The Kansas Crime Victims Compensation Board may reimburse certain crime-related expenses when its eligibility requirements are met. Benefits, deadlines, required documents, and application instructions can change. Use the Kansas Attorney General's current Crime Victims Compensation page rather than an older saved application.

Victim Impact Statement

If you are a victim in a case prosecuted by this office, download the current packet below or contact us for assistance and return instructions. A victim-impact statement may contain private financial, medical, safety, or identifying information, so do not send a completed statement through ordinary email unless a staff member has given you an approved delivery method.

  • Victim Impact Statement and Application for Restitution — updated July 12, 2026 Download PDF

Protection Orders

Protection orders are civil court matters and are not issued by the County Attorney's Office. Eligibility and available relief depend on the facts and the governing law. The Kansas Judicial Council provides current forms and instructions for Protection from Abuse and Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault, or Human Trafficking. Safehouse Crisis Center or the Cherokee County District Court Clerk may also help identify filing resources.

Kansas Safe at Home

Safe at Home is the address-confidentiality program administered by the Kansas Attorney General's Office for eligible participants. It provides a substitute address and mail-forwarding service; it is not witness protection and cannot guarantee that a participant's location will remain unknown. Review the Attorney General's current eligibility and enrollment information.

VINE — Custody-Status Notifications

Kansas VINE provides custody-status information and notifications for offenders in participating county jails. Register at VINElink or call 1-866-574-7463. Information can be delayed or incomplete; do not rely on VINE as your only safety measure.

Local Resources

Safehouse Crisis Center

Safehouse Crisis Center provides crisis support and survivor services in Southeast Kansas.

24/7 Crisis Line: 800-794-9148
Text: 620-670-0754

CHC/SEK Support for Survivors

Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas provides support and care coordination for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Support line: 620-240-5090

SafeLine Kansas

SafeLine Kansas provides statewide domestic-violence and sexual-assault support. 24/7 hotline: 1-888-363-2287.

Last reviewed July 11, 2026. External programs control their own eligibility rules, hours, and services.