Project Report
| Nov 6, 2024
65 Child Sexual Assault Victims Receive Art/Sandplay/Play Therapy Services at the Center
The Center for Safety & Change, Inc. (“the Center”) is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to provide critical services and support to women and all victims and survivors of gender-based violence and other crimes while working toward justice by creating social change. The Center is the sole provider of services to domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and all other crime victims in Rockland County, NY—there are no other resources for victims in the county. The Center is the sole domestic violence residential and non-residential services certified by NYS Office of Children and Family Services in Rockland County, NY (“Rockland”) and is Rockland’s only NYS Office on Victim Services designated Victim Assistance Program. In addition, all of the Center’s staff are certified and trained by the NYS Department of Health, all staff and volunteers are certified rape crisis counselors, and the Center serves as Rockland’s only Rape Crisis Program and operates Rockland’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner services. Finally, the Center is the largest non-profit provider of immigration legal services in the county, and the largest provider of family law services specifically for victims in the county.
The Center offers a comprehensive continuum of programs and services that are available in multiple languages to all victims, free of charge, regardless of age, citizenship, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, national origin, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status. These services include, but are not limited to:
• Information and Referrals: information about the criminal justice process, information about victims’ rights, referrals to other victim service programs, and referrals to other services, supports, and resources;
• Advocacy and Accompaniment: victim advocacy/accompaniment to emergency medical care, victim advocacy/accompaniment forensic exams, law enforcement interview advocacy/accompaniment, individual advocacy, performance of medical forensic exam or interview, or medical evidence collection, immigration assistance, intervention with employer, creditor, landlord, or academic institution, childcare, transportation assistance, and translation/interpretation services;
• Emotional Support and Safety Services: crisis intervention, hotline/crisis line counseling, on-scene crisis response, individual counseling, support groups, therapy, and emergency financial assistance;
• Shelter and Housing Services: emergency shelter, transitional housing service, and relocation assistance; and
• Criminal and Civil Justice System Assistance: notification of criminal justice events, civil legal assistance in obtaining protection or restraining order, civil legal assistance with family law issues, immigration attorney assistance, prosecution interview advocacy/accompaniment, criminal advocacy/accompaniment, and other legal advice and/or counsel.
This reporting period, the Center provided services to 163 sexual trauma victims. Of the victims served, the Center provided art, play, and sandplay therapies to 65 child victims of sexual trauma.
- Staff provided therapy stherapy services for a 7-year-old boy who came to the Center due to secondary trauma from a sexual trauma incident that occurred with his older sister. The client began short term therapy in February and has been working with the creative arts therapist on processing the incident. The client engages in focused art directives and play therapy to release feelings and emotions associated with the ST. The client practices emotional regulation, self-expression and grounding techniques to properly channel his anger. The therapist and client are working towards termination in September but will continue to reiterate the importance of incorporating coping skills in his day-to-day life.
- Staff provided therapy services for a 16-year-old girlwho came to the Center due to sexual assault from an acquaintance. She has been working with a creative arts therapist and has been focusing on expressing her trauma, managing flashbacks, and developing coping skills. The client has been able to share her story and process that it was not her fault. The client is working on gaining her autonomy back and strengthening her self-esteem. The client will continue to work on her goals, supported by the therapist. This includes engaging in art therapy directives, development of new coping strategies, psychoeducation and self-expression.