Support rape victims ages 4 to 71 years old

The Center for Safety & Change, Inc. (CSC) is a nonprofit agency serving survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes in Rockland County, NY.  Since its inception in 1979, CSC, formerly known as Rockland Family Shelter, has been the sole service provider to victims of sexual assault and their families. CSC’s Sexual Assault Program includes a 24-hour rape crisis hotline, counseling and therapy, a 15-bed emergency residential shelter, services for families of survivors, support groups, and a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program at both of Rockland’s acute care hospitals.  According to the Center for Disease and Control’s Facts at a Glance page, most recently updated in 2012, sexual assault is a reality that affects approximately 1 in 5 women and does not discriminate; it is a pervasive crime that crosses all socioeconomic and cultural boundaries.  CSC, having originated and grown in a highly diverse county, works to ensure that all of our programs and policies reflect the varied needs of all clients, including clients from immigrant and other historically underserved communities.

 In the last reporting quarter (December 1, 2015-February 29, 2016) CSC’s Sexual Trauma Program assisted a total of 151 victims, of which 58 were new clients.  During this reporting period, (March 1, 2016-May 31, 2016) CSC’s Sexual Trauma Program provided 2,105 direct services to 177 victims, of which 59 were new clients.  

During this quarter, a Forensic Nurse and a Rape Crisis Counselor from CSC responded to a patient at the hospital who had been raped by her ex-boyfriend. She had multiple injuries. She had so many concerns, including her safety, medical treatment, exposure to sexually transmitted infections, and reporting to law enforcement. By the time she left the hospital, all her medical needs had been met, she had been treated with medication to prevent STI’s, had evidence collected and given to the police, and had been reassured by the advocate that the support that she received at the hospital would continue through our agency for as long as she needed it. This is a typical example of how our nurses and advocates always work as a team for the survivor. 

 Also, this quarter consisted of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which took place in April.  The Center for Safety & Change participated in “Denim Day”, where all employees wore denim to support victims of sexual assault (see attached photos). In addition, CSC conducted several outreach activities, including tabling at St. Thomas Aquinas College to educate students about sexual assault (see attached photo).  St. Thomas Aquninas then launched a campaign on campus where students would wear black t-shirts during the month of April.  Wearing black onThursdays indicates you are tired of putting up with violence, and demand communities where we can all walk safely without fear; fear of being beaten up, fear of being verbally abused, fear of being bullied, and fear of discrimination. It shows that you want to be free. It is a campaign that recognizes violence takes many forms.

Links:

• Search for us on Google!

• Sexual Assault Awareness Month Campaign (PDF)
  

Eve and her three children came to the Center’s emergency shelter after Eve found out that her husband had been molesting their daughter. The abuse had been going on for some time and when Eve’s daughter broke down and confided in her school counselor, Eve took immediate action. She took the children and fled their home. The guidance counselor referred the family to the Center for Safety & Change, where they were given shelter.

Eve was distraught, she thought that her children would be “damaged” for life by their experience. She was ridden with guilt for not noticing anything and thus protecting her daughter from what had been happening. When Eve and her children first arrived at the shelter, Eve had nothing – no work, no income, no experience with finances… To her, it seemed the world had collapsed and her life was irreparable.

By working with the Center’s advocates, Eve came to understand and embrace that the abuse her daughter had experienced was not her fault. She saw that her children were not broken, and that there was a possibility for them all to heal.

Little by little, and with the help of her advocates, Eve began picking up the pieces and she began to remember her own passions. Eve had always been passionate about cooking. When the Center’s advocates found out they helped her obtain a scholarship at a culinary school and so Eve took the steps to build a new life for her and her children.

The Center’s advocates helped Eve restore her faith and helped her realize her dream to open a restaurant. Eve owns her restaurant till this day, and with that she is able to support herself and her children and even send them to college.