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 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, 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.

During this reporting period: 

- Staff provided services to a child referred by Child Protective Services due to a sexual trauma incident from a friend’s father while away on a trip. She is experiencing extreme guilt and shame, and is also experiencing blame from her family. She is working on building a new support system while building her self-esteem. Since the incident, she has gained a fear of judgment and is working on implementing coping strategies to move past her fear. A few goals she has in therapy are to build stronger boundaries, build a stronger relationship within herself, increase self-esteem and improve her confidence. In addition to processing her trauma, she aims to work through some of her past experiences that have been resurfacing since the assault. She will continue building rapport with her therapist and will be provided with psychoeducation, information on trauma, the dynamics of abuse, art therapy techniques, CBT, DBT, and tools to develop coping strategies to utilize when triggered by the traumatic incident.

-Staff accompanied the client during her meeting with law enforcement and provided continuous emotional support before, during, and after the interview. Provided law enforcement and criminal justice advocacy by explaining the legal and court processes, assisting the client in understanding her rights and available options, and ensuring that her questions and concerns were addressed. Went over positive coping strategies such as deep breathing and grounding techniques, journaling or writing down thoughts and feelings, engaging in calming activities, and listening to music. Offered client the option to attend the Teens Creative Arts support group and also informed client transportation can be arranged if needed.  Advocate will continue to follow up with the assigned detectives and the District Attorney’s Office Victim Advocate regarding the status of the case and will provide the client with updates as appropriate. The client expressed appreciation for the advocate’s support, guidance, and assistance during this difficult time.

-A client sought advocacy support after her daughter disclosed that she had been sexually assaulted by the father of a friend. A Center avocate accompanied the client to the police department to provide support and law enforcement advocacy during a controlled phone call with the alleged perpetrator. During the call, the perpetrator made statements admitting to the assault. Following the call, law enforcement informed the client that they intended to arrest the individual and move forward with the case; however, a significant amount of time had lapsted without the client receiving any further updates regarding the investigation or anticipated arrest. This advocate has continued to provide support and education to the client regarding the criminal justice process, while also advocating on her behalf with law enforcement and helping her navigate the lack of communication she has experienced. The client and her daughter have been connected with counseling and Children and Youth Services for additional support. At this time, the family continues to navigate the emotional impact of the disclosure and assault while also trying to understand and manage a criminal justice process that has not provided the client with the communication or progress she was expecting. Advocacy remains ongoing as this family works through both the trauma and the challenges they have encountered within the system.