Rape and Sexual
Assault Awareness
Sexual violence is a serious problem that can have lasting, harmful effects on victims and their family, friends, and communities. The goal of sexual violence prevention is to stop it from happening in the first place. The solutions are just as complex as the problem. We use our platform to advocate and create awareness around sexual Violence.
Trauma Therapy
Services
Traumatic events, including sexual abuse that continues to have a significant effect upon an individuals life. Usually, the patients we see find that something has become ‘stuck’ around the trauma and they find it hard to move forward. They may experience flashbacks, nightmares, feel significantly depressed or numb, or struggle with anxiety. We offer an extended consultation over four to six sessions to understand the nature and impact of the trauma, using a psychoanalytic approach. We also explore the most suitable approach to treatment for all patients.
Counselling
Whether it’s a few days after the abuse or years after—whether the assault happened locally or outside of the country—we’re here to help. We offer free, confidential counseling services to survivors of sexual violence and anyone else who’s been impacted.
Our goal is to help clients heal from issues stemming from the trauma of sexual violence, cope with the immediate crisis and regain a sense of control and trust.
As an independent rape crisis center and not-for-profit organization, we partner with local hospitals and organizations to deliver our services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Medical
Highly trained medical advocates are on call 24 hours a day to provide in person crisis support to survivors of sexual assault and abuse at treatment hospitals.
Day One medical advocates can:
- Provide crisis counseling
- Give you information about your medical concerns and your right to treatment
- Provide you with information about your legal rights and options
- Help you communicate with hospital staff and police
- Assist you with immediate needs such as transportation, shelter referrals, or clothing
- Connect you to other services such as counseling
- Assist you in accessing follow up medical treatment such as emergency contraception or pregnancy options
- Assist you in resolving hospital bills you may have received for emergency treatment
- Accompany you to file a police report and/or meet with law enforcement
Legal advocate
We are here to support you throughout the legal process We can help navigate the criminal justice process, as well as discuss alternatives to the criminal justice system, including civil remedies. We support all sexual assault survivors whether or not they want to report the crime to law enforcement.
A legal advocate can:
- Provide you with information about you legal rights and options, including information about relevant Illinois laws (Our legal advocates do not provide legal advice)
- Accompany you to file a police report and/or meet with law enforcement
- Help you communicate with the police.
- Provide you with referrals and support for services
