Support rape victims ages 4 to 71 years old

The Center for Safety & Change, Inc. (“the Center”) is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to develop strategies to end gender-based violence and provide shelter and supportive services that empower survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse and other crimes. Since its inception in 1979, the Center has been the sole provider of domestic violence residential and non-residential services certified by the NYS Office of Child and Family Services and the only New York State Office of Victim Services designated Victim Assistance Program in Rockland County. In addition, all of the Center’s sexual trauma staff are certified and trained by the New York State Department of Health, all direct service staff and volunteers are certified rape crisis counselors, and, within the last decade, the Center became the sole provider of services to victims of human trafficking.

The Center offers a comprehensive continuum of programs and services that are availablein 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.

Over the last three months, the Center provided a total of 6,995 services to 186 victims in the Sexual Trauma Program. This quarter:
• A teen who had been sexually abused when she was younger had been experiencing heightened anxiety after she had disclosed the abuse. The teen received services and learned grounding and breathing techniques to develop awareness about triggers to manage the anxiety she was experiencing.
• A young girl was referred to the Center after a family member had sexually abused her. She was reluctant to talk about what happened and often processed her feelings by using art in sessions. Staff provided a safe space and met the child where she was in her healing process. Eventually the child felt safe to process the trauma and discussed feeling relieved after sharing her story. The child continues to use art and also was able to incorporate art as one of her coping strategies to use at home.

Quotes:
• “I had no idea I had so many options after being raped. I appreciate all your support. You’ve been awesome throughout this whole process.”
• “I don’t know how I would have gotten through these past few months without you. Thank you so much for your support!” • “I just feel better when I talk to you. This is my safe place.”
• “Thank you for caring and providing services to my family.”