CCR Column: Sexual Assault Center in Need of Volunteers

by Kelly Thyse, Sexual Assault Center of Family Services

The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services provides services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for victims of sexual assault or abuse, and their families and friends. Services are confidential and free of charge. The Sexual Assault Center provides sensitive services to all victims regardless of their age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or disability. Services are available throughout Brown, Door, Oconto and Marinette counties.

Victims and their families can come to the center to confidentially discuss the options they have available to them. Some of those services are providing accompaniment to the hospital for immediate medical care and follow up in the way of a SANE (sexual assault nurse exam). Other options may include reporting to law enforcement and finding follow-up therapy services for the victim. The center also provides prevention education for youth from the ages of 4 to 17 as well as parents and professionals.

Some of the services provided are:

Crisis Intervention and Supportive Counseling: Both are available by telephone and in person. Referrals are made to therapists as needed.

Follow-up Assistance: An advocate will continue to provide information and emotional support as long as the assistance is requested.

Medical Advocacy: An advocate will be available at the hospital to listen, offer support and accompany victims as they move through the medical process. The advocate will provide information for victims to make informed choices.

Legal Advocacy: An advocate will support the victim at the police station if a police report is filed. The Sexual Assault Center’s legal advocate will provide support and assist throughout the court process.

Services to Vulnerable Populations: A diverse staff is available at the Sexual Assault Center of Family Services to provide services to Hispanic and Southeast Asian victims, as well as victims of sex trafficking.

These services are available to victims and their families 24 hours a day.

The sexual assault center is currently looking for volunteers to respond to victims of sexual assault. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. No experience necessary, there will be training. Access to transportation needed. Volunteers assist in maintaining the 24-hour coverage of the Sexual Assault Center hotline, provide information and referrals to callers, respond to requests for advocates while on call, provide legal, medical and emotional support to victims and their friends/families. Volunteers staff the 24-hour hotline at least two times per month according to their own availability and agree to remain a volunteer for a minimum of one year.

For more information about volunteering, call Chelsey at 920.436.8899.

This article is brought to you in part by the Door County Coordinated Community Response (CCR) to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Teams and the Door County Elder and Adult-at-Risk Interdisciplinary Team.