In an effort to safeguard families from potential violence during one of the most fraught moments, Mecklenburg County has stepped in with a valuable resource—the Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Center (SVSE). This center was established with the explicit purpose of providing a secure environment for child custody exchanges and supervised visits for families experiencing intimate partner violence.
The service, crucial in its support, is offered without cost for residents of Mecklenburg County. Elyse Hamilton-Childres, the division director of the Mecklenburg County Community Support Services, emphasized the need for specialized facilities: "We do not recommend that families at risk of violence during custody exchanges utilize police departments as an exchange location because police departments are not architecturally or operationally designed for that purpose," she told MeckNC News.
Since opening its doors in 2014 with the backing of local law enforcement partners, the SVSE Center has been intentional about its design, focusing on the separation of spaces and the safe interaction between family members. Security is a paramount concern, and off-duty police officers are present at the center to ensure an additional layer of safety for those using its services.
For those who wish to access the center's services, Mecklenburg County has streamlined the process. Residents may simply self-refer by calling 980-314-8680 to begin the intake process.
