Mecklenburg County's Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Center

Mecklenburg County Community Support Services operates a Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Center (SVSE) specifically for families experiencing intimate partner violence.  

The purpose of the SVSE Center is to prevent violence and abuse during child custody exchanges and supervised visits. The SVSE Center is available at no cost for residents of Mecklenburg County.  

"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," said Elyse Hamilton-Childres, Mecklenburg County Community Support Services division director. "We are here to help families during a vulnerable time."

Off-duty police officers are present to enhance security at the Center. The Center opened in 2014 with the support of local law enforcement partners. The SVSE Center is designed with attention to detail for separation of space in the exchange of children and to ensure safe interaction between family members.  

Mecklenburg County residents may self-refer to the SVSE Center by calling 980-314-8680 to begin the intake process.