Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services
Sexual assault is a crime motivated by a need to control, humiliate, and harm and typically not motivated by sexual desire.
About Sexual Assault
- Sexual assault is a term related to undesired, coerced, deceived, or pressured sexual activity.
- Sexual assault encompasses both touch and non-touch acts.
- Sexual assault transpires when one does not give permission to sexual activity or when one is unable to.
- Any manner of sexual contact without consent is a crime of violence executed against boys, girls, women, and men.
- Sexual assault is the distorted physical expression of control and anger.
- Sexual assault is criminal activity condemned by laws worldwide.
The WFC Sexual Assault Crisis Services (SACS) Program grants assistance to those who have gone through a sexual assault or are trying to cope with a past sexual assault trauma. SACS helps Sexual Assault Survivors starting at age five to adults. Sexual Assault Crisis Services provides support for victims and survivors of sexual violence, their family, and friends in Middlesex, Wallingford, Meriden, Cheshire, New Haven County, and Greater New Haven. Below are a few rape crisis and sexual assault services the WFC offers:
- 24-Hour rape crisis hotline with staff or trained volunteers, 1-888-999-5545 (English) and 1-888-568-8332 (en Espanola)
- Short term shelter for adults around the age group of 18 years or older that need a safe place after the assault
- WFC works closely with local sexual assault centers to ensure the long-term safety of the sexual assault survivor
- Support and crisis mediation for survivors at the law enforcement, court, or hospital
- Community education programs
- Provides information and referral to community resources
- Classified and confidential support services and support groups for survivors of sexual violence
- Therapy and support groups with accredited counselors
- Sexual assault prevention education programs for all age groups
- Promotion of survivor’s right to comprehend and choose courses of action
Most often, the victim knows the person who has sexually assaulted them. Sexual assault is more prevalent than most people realize. One in six women and one in 33 men report an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime, and 70 percent of females and 60 percent of male sufferers are sexually assaulted before 18 years of age.
What Should One Do If Sexually Assaulted?
- Go to a safe place if you can
- Seek medical attention promptly
- Try not to shower or bathe
- Report the incident to law enforcement as soon as you can
- It suggested that you don’t change your clothes or brush your teeth
- Once the immediate physical threat is gone, seek counseling and support groups for sexual assault.
REMEMBER: SEXUAL ASSAULT IS NEVER YOUR FAULT.
The WFC’s sexual assault services offers support for victims and their families through:
- Counseling
- Support
- Offering emotional and moral support
- Counseling is accessible to all victims through WFC’s sexual assault crisis services
- Help in deciding whether to file a police report
For every individual experiencing any form of sexual assault, know the facts about your rights:
- You possess the RIGHT to say No
- You retain the RIGHT to stop sexual activity at anytime
- What you wear and insobriety does not remove your RIGHTS
Visit our website to know more about WFC’s Sexual Assault Crisis Services (SACS) Program.
WFC’s Sexual Assault Advocates
Women & Families Center offers rape crisis and sexual assault services through volunteer Sexual Assault Advocates. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer advocate, there is an application process and training for individuals interested in helping rape or sexual assault victims. To learn more about WFC’s Sexual Assault Advocates program, please contact Jennifer Wenderoth-Holster.
