There is always someone from
the Sexual Assault Service Center available to provide assistance to a
person in crisis, or to answer questions and provide referrals. Hotline:
815.730.8984.
24 Hours per day
Member of the Illinois
Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES CENTER
Empowering
Survivors of Sexual Assault
MEDICAL ADVOCACY
Trained advocates are available 24 hours a day,
everyday to provide crisis intervention services in a medical setting.
Advocates provide survivors with the information, comfort, and emotional
support they need to make informed choices and regain a sense of control
over their lives.
LEGAL ADVOCACY
Advocates are experienced at calming victims, their
families and friends. Advocates will accompany the victim and their
significant others through any or all parts of the criminal justice
system. An advocate is always available to provide assistance 24 hours a
day in any setting where the survivor needs support.
INDIVIDUAL
COUNSELING
Experienced counselors, specializing in issues of
sexual violence are available to offer survivors and their significant
others a chance to talk about and understand their feelings regarding
their attack, enabling them to move forward in their lives with hope for
the future instead of fear from the past.
GROUP COUNSELING
Support groups are available to allow individuals to
talk about the experience with others who have gone through a similar
event. This allows the survivor to see that she or he is not alone.
PREVENTION
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
SASC staff are available to conduct workshops for
schools, businesses, social service agencies and community organizations
on issues of gender-based violence. Presentations are age-appropriate
and can be tailored to fit the needs of any group.
Sexual assault often goes
unreported. Many victims never tell anyone about the incident. This is not
because they are unaffected by it, rather it is because they are so deeply
affected. Nearly all victims believe that the violence perpetrated against them
was their fault. They have feelings of shame, guilt, anger and isolation. Often
they feel too embarrassed to talk about the attack, even to the people closest
to them.
The Sexual Assault Service Center is
available to help survivors of sexual violence and their significant
others in Will and Grundy Counties.