All of my roles: “What services do RCCs provide?

Today, there are approximately 1,200 RCCs in our country, each tasked with serving their local communities by providing survivor support services and community education. These centers offer different resources based on community needs and financial resources, but the overarching goals remain the same. For those impacted by sexual violence, RCCs oftentimes offer crisis intervention hotlines, support groups, counseling, legal and medical aids (to accompany survivors to medical exams or law enforcement interactions), as well as referrals to other local or virtual resources. In terms of community outreach, some RCCs provide a form of prevention education, advocacy, and/or prevention training.

Crisis Intervention/24 Hour Hotline

Perhaps the most uniform service across RCCs, crisis intervention hotlines are intended to provide immediate support in the wake of a crisis. In the aftermath of harm, these hotlines serve as a resource for survivors to talk or learn about legal, medical, or counseling options. These hotlines are typically staffed by victim advocates who have undergone trauma-informed training and who are prepared to listen and assist the caller in a time of crisis. Centers offer free crisis and advocacy services since they are typically funded with federal and/or state dollars.

Referral Services

RCCs may not always provide all of the services someone may need, but they often have a plethora of resources they can direct people toward. For instance, not all RCCs offer therapy or legal resources, but they may know the best options for people who are searching for these services. Sexual assault coalitions also provide great referral services.

Education: Training Employees, Volunteers, and the Community

Although the required hours of training for staff varies across states, RCCs often provide the training necessary for their staff and volunteers to equip them to effectively serve survivors of sexual assault. Furthermore, most RCCs conduct outreach to the community and provide trainings such as workshops to local schools or organizations on topics such as consent, workplace sexual harassment, or stalking.

Accompaniment

Some RCCs have staff available to accompany victims to medical exams or legal consultations such as police interviews or court proceedings. These staffers sometimes accompany victims as a form of support, and sometimes they can serve as an advocate for the victim in helping them navigate appointments or meetings.

Short-Term Counseling/Therapy/Group Therapy

Forms of counseling and therapy services vary broadly across RCCs nationally. These services may also vary in price: Some RCCs will offer a certain number of free sessions after which payment may be required, while others may not be able to offer therapy at all. Regardless of whether or not therapy is a service provided by your local RCC, they will likely be able to point you in the direction of counseling options to fit your needs.” https://www.nsvrc.org/blogs/what-are-rape-crisis-centers-and-how-have-they-changed-over-years. “I would have to work with abuse of all types and contexts prevention coalitions like sexual assault coalitions and domestic violence coalitions.” -Antonio Myers. “Depending on the goal, the licensed therapist and client work with the surrogate to design therapeutic experiences. According to the International Professional Surrogates Association, these experiences include “partner work in relaxation, effective communication, sensual and sexual touching, and social skills.”

The sex therapist maintains an active role throughout the process. In the most common arrangement, the therapist meets with both the client and the surrogate, independently, each week. After these meetings, the client will meet with the surrogate. When the therapy process is concluded, the relationship between client and surrogate partner ends as well, allowing for no further contact.” -wembd.com

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