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 fo domestic violence, sexual abuse and other crimes. Since its inception in 1979, the Center has been the sole service provider to victims of sexual assault and their families in Rockland County, NY. The Center's Sexual Assault Program includes a 24-hour rape crisis hotline, accompaniment to court and other appointments, legal services, trial preparation, counseling and therapy, a 15-bed emergency residential shelter, services for families of survivors, support groups, translation, transportation, and a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner program at both of Rockland’s acute care hospitals. 

Over the last three months (May-July) the Center provided a total of 5,498 services to 206 sexual trauma victims/survivors. One of these survivors was a young girl named Marie*.  Marie was sexually assaulted when she was 11 years old by a family friend. The abuse went on for two years when he would come to visit the family or attend family parties. Marie was afraid to tell because he told her no one would believe her, and she would get in trouble for the sexual behavior. Marie finally told her parents when she could not take it anymore and was feeling like she wanted to end her life. Her parents reported the abuse to the police and he was arrested. Marie and her parents met with staff from the Center for Safety & Change for counseling and information about the court process. Marie understood that the abuse was not her fault, she identified healthy ways to cope with what happened to her, and was able to eventually focus on aspects of her life that were important to her, such as going to school, hanging out with friends, and joining school activities. Marie’s parents also received support during the investigation process and during the court proceedings. They became aware of what to look for when a child is being sexually abused and how to support their child after the disclosure. The perpetrator was convicted and will register as a sex offender. The Center was with the family throughout the entire process and provided support, through the investigation and prosecution.

*The client’s name has been changed in order to protect her identity*