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44 North Carolina

Individuals found to have committed an intentional program violation are disqualified from Work First for 12 months for the first offense, 24 months for the second offense, and permanently for the third offense. The offender is not included when determining the benefit amount for the family, but the offender continues to be subject to time limits and work requirements. The overpayment is recovered by repayment or payment reduction.

OUT-OF-WEDLOCK BIRTHS

Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives (TPPI), housed in the Division of Public Health, provide funding for local health departments, social services departments/agencies, school systems, and other community-based agencies to work with adolescents to prevent pregnancy among priority populations. These agencies use “best practice models” in group settings. Strategies may include abstinence and life-skills education, youth development, parent workshops, counseling and referral, community awareness efforts, and male involvement. Topics include decision-making and communication skills, information about specific areas of concern such as sexual coercion and statutory rape laws, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) prevention.

STATUTORY RAPE

The North Carolina Department of Justice and the Office of the Attorney General primarily administer the programs addressing the problem of statutory rape for law enforcement officers, the education system, and relevant counseling organizations. The North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) is an inclusive, statewide alliance working to end sexual violence through education, advocacy, and legislation. NCCASA provides statewide training to the state’s 70+ rape crisis centers, law enforcement officials, and colleges and universities. Rape Crisis Centers across the state provide rape counseling services and resources to survivors of sexual violence on a day-to-day basis. NCCASA Provides information, referrals, and resources to individuals, rape crisis programs and other organizations, supports rape crisis programs and other individuals in their efforts to address sexual violence in their communities, and advocates for local rape crisis programs, creating networking opportunities for those involved in the rape crisis movement. On a statewide level, NCCASA works with legislators to strengthen North Carolina sexual assault statutes, advocate on behalf of survivors, coordinating Sexual Assault Response Teams across the state, and hosts the NC Campus Consortium to educate and support students and staff on NC campuses and their prevention efforts. Public schools in North Carolina are required to have child sexual abuse training per Session Law 2019-245 Senate Bill 199. Local educational agencies control how they administer the training and with which resources. These trainings typically include statutory rape as being a form of child sexual abuse.

The Department recognizes the importance of education as a tool for the prevention of sexual violence, including statutory rape. Primary prevention focuses on developing strategies that target behaviors prior to victimization. The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiatives, housed in the Division of Public Health offers training to funded parenting programs regarding fatherhood involvement and legal issues, including child support.