Support rape victims ages 4 to 71 years old

by Center for Safety & Change
Support rape victims ages 4 to 71 years old

Project Report | Sep 2, 2020
The Center provides a total of 9,835 services to 168 sexual trauma victims

By Melissa Place | Grants Manager

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 is 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 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.

Over the last three months, the Center provided 9,835 services to 168 victims in the sexual trauma program. 

 

This reporting period: 

  • Staff worked with a teenage client who was sexually assaulted by her biological father two years ago. She had depressive episodes periodically, some lasting for a week or more. The client has rarely missed her weekly therapy sessions. The client has stated that her depressive episodes are occurring less and less and her sleep cycle has become more consistent. She informed staff that therapy has helped her talk about what is bothering her and process what happened since she feels as though no one at home has the time to talk to her. During one her sessions, the client told staff, ‘I can finally see a time in my future when I won’t need therapy. I am doing so much better.’ 
  • The Center's Sexual Trauma Advocate worked with a young female who was brutally raped by a stranger after leaving her job. The client first encountered the agency when going in to do a SAFE Exam with her older sister. She was initially terrified, but reported later that she felt comforted by a Rape Crisis Counselor. The Sexual Trauma Advocate met the client after a couple of days when being asked to be prepared for grand jury. Client was experiencing bad flash backs and had stated thatif it were not for the advocate, she would have just broke down. Sexual Trauma Advocate was present with the client during the criminal justice process, making her feel comfortable, translating, and supporting her. Client felt validated and supported during the preparation of grand jury and while she was explaining the details of the assault. 

     

  • Staff worked with a client who was sexually assaulted by a priest various times. When the client first came to the Center, she was anxious and was exhibiting signs of PTSD; her speech was very rapid, almost unable to understand what she was saying. Sessions have been focused on discussing and learning ways to utilize breathing techniques and grounding techniques to help manage anxiety due to trauma from the sexual assault. Client is learning how to slow down her rapid speech and how to work  through her trauma and PTSD.  
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Organization Information

Center for Safety & Change

Location: New City, NY - USA
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Twitter: @Center4SC
Project Leader:
Melissa Place
Grant Manager
New City , NY United States
$6,912 raised of $20,000 goal
 
155 donations
$13,088 to go
Donate Now
$10
USD
will pay for materials used to train middle and high school students, as well as college students about violence prevention. They need flip charts, pens and note cards for active participation.
$25
USD
can provide advocates to respond to 2 calls to the Center's 24-hour hotline helping a victim take the first steps to safety and justice if they so choose.
$50
USD
provides 1 comfort kit for a rape victim. Victims' clothes are often destroyed or kept for evidence. A kit includes sweatpants, a top, undergarments, slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste and toiletries.
$100
USD
provides 2 comfort kits for rape victims. Victims' clothes are often destroyed or required as evidence. Kits include sweatpants, a top, undergarments, slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste and toiletries.
$150
USD
will pay for a special victims/sexual assault advocate to help a victim through hotline calls, counseling, advocacy, and hospital and court accompaniment.
$250
USD
will pay for 1 on-campus sexual assault prevention training session for students, resident advisers or faculty at one of the 5 local colleges or at any one of Rockland County's 8 high schools
$500
USD
will pay for half of the recruitment and training of Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE), who are specially trained nurses to examine rape victims and collect evidence at the 2 local hospitals.
$2,500
USD
will pay for one of the Center's trained trauma therapists to provide trauma counseling for up to 6 months for a child who is a victim of sexual assault.
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