Victim Empowerment & Education Program (VEEP)

VEEP is a therapeutic program for children and youth survivors of violence and their caregivers. We accept referrals for survivors of child sexual abuse, sexual assault, traumatic grief, bullying, domestic violence, and teen dating violence. We provide trauma therapy to underserved communities through home visits and telehealth services. The VEEP team is committed to increasing accessibility for therapeutic services in rural areas.

VEEP offers no-cost therapy to individuals, families and groups, using Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR), Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Narrative Therapy, Psychodrama and other expressive arts. These are evidence-based or promising evidence-based practices. Clients are typically referred by Child Advocacy Centers, Rape Crisis Center of Robeson County (The Starting Point), Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, Robeson House, Southeastern Family Violence, DSS and Public Schools of Robeson County. VEEP also accepts self-referrals. Since January 2020, VEEP has served more than 180 survivors of violence and their families.

The VEEP team provides training to organizations on the dynamics of complex trauma, a variety of evidence-based practices, how to use expressive arts in therapy, working with rural Latine and Lumbee communities, group work and rural social work practice.

Meet the VEEP Team

Ashley Prows-Beard, MSW, LCSWA, is our designated Licensed Clinical Social Work Associate who provides the therapeutic services to the victims referred for treatment. She has shared a story of one of her clients that she is very happy about

“I began working with a client who had endured multiple traumas throughout the course of her lifetime. Since working with her, I have witnessed the development and practice of skills in identifying and regulating intense emotions. She consistently utilizes the coping skills she has learned through our therapeutic program to manage difficult feelings and triggers associated with her experiences. Through VEEP, she has obtained safe housing and was able to excel in her studies as she continues to work towards her Bachelors’ degree from UNC Pembroke. She continues to work diligently towards self-awareness and self-care despite not having that behavior modeled for her as a child. She often expresses a desire to advocate for others who have survived traumatic upbringings, domestic violence, and rape. Today, this young woman embodies the meaning of resilience in the face of suffering.”

Interested in Learning More about VEEP Services?

Some of the services VEEP provides include

Family and Friends Circle of Support

This group is for family members and friends who care about someone that has been sexually assaulted. Be a part of this Circle of Support where your feelings are understood and your presence in the person’s life becomes part of their recovery.

Download the brochure below for more information

Adolescent Males Circle of Support

This group is for adolescent males who have experienced violence of any form. Be a part of this Circle of Support where you are heard and understood. Come join this Circle of Support to end feelings of self-blame, shame and secrecy.

Download the brochure below for more information

Find out more about what Veep is all about