St. Clair County Victim Service Officer Carrie Leland becomes first in Alabama to be Nationally Credentialed

St. Clair County District Attorney’s Victim Service Officer Carrie Leland recently earned the credential as a nationally recognized professional victims advocate, making her the only victim service officer employed by the state to receive the prestigious credential. 

“I am extremely proud of Carrie and the care and expertise she provides in assisting victims of crime in our county,” said St. Clair County District Attorney Richard J. Minor. “Carrie has a servant heart, and it shows in how she deals with people when they are at the lowest point of their lives. It’s all about serving others, seeing a need among victims and finding a way to meet that need.” 

Leland completed the National Advocate Credentialing Program and was awarded the Advanced Advocate Credential by the National Organization for Victim Assistance. The advanced credential is awarded to those who have a minimum of 15,600 hours of professional experience working with victims, 80 hours of advanced level training, and have met client observation and professional recommendation requirements. According to NOVA, no other state-employed victim service officer has earned a professional credential in victim advocacy.

Leland, a Judson College grad, has nearly 20 years professional experience working with crime victims and joined the St. Clair District Attorney’s Office as victim service officer in 2013. In that role, she works with victims of crimes, ranging from property thefts to families of those murdered, as they navigate the justice system. In 2016, she was awarded Birmingham metro area’s civic award, the Vulcan Award, for Servant Leadership for her work with victims.

Many of the people Leland assists are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. While in college, she recognized the need to help women in trouble and their children, especially in her hometown of Pell City.

“The women needed some place to go to escape their violent situation,” Leland said. “They didn’t want to have to leave to go to another county. They would not go to Birmingham and leave their family here in St. Clair County. 

So, Leland spoke with the mayor and city attorney about starting a shelter in Pell City.

“I wanted to develop a safe haven for people as they decide what to do next,” she said. “It was a humble attempt with a minimum budget to provide temporary shelter.”

She remembers that the first woman she reached out to was a Pell City gas station attendant who had been a victim of domestic abuse. “She was shocked that I noticed she was troubled,” Leland said. “She was in her 40s with a husband and lots of children. I asked her why she doesn’t go to a shelter (out of county). She said, ‘Why do I have to leave? My job, kids’ schools and family are all in this area. The only good things in my life are here.’”

That led to Leland founding the St. Clair Domestic Violence Program, a shelter and outreach program. The shelter opened in Pell City in 1999.

Leland said it’s important not to forget that children are also affected by domestic violence. “We have some very broken children who have parents who are broken,” she said. “They are victims, too. Hurt is universal. Compassion is always the bridge.” 

While all DAs have victim service officers, they are not nationally credentialed. Leland said the NOVA credential helps bring more professionalism, expertise and continuing education to VSOs. Her credential means she can also teach other VSOs so they can be credentialed.

In addition to her work in the St. Clair County District Attorney’s office, Leland is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the Department of Government at UAB.