Sexual Assault Programs & Services

Sexual assault is a very personal and destructive crime.  At Shelterhouse, we provide programs and services to help our clients who may be suffering from the physical, emotional and/or psychological effects of sexual assault.  Shelterhouse staff provides comprehensive services that focus on the whole person, and we work with our clients to help them learn coping skills, understand sexual violence, and recognize patterns of assault.  We also help our shelter residents develop their own personal safety plans so that they know the community resources that are available should they need them and can increase their own personal future safety.  We do offer a support group for teens who have suffered from sexual assault as well.  Our childcare services are offered free of charge so that parents can attend and gain the benefits from our support groups without worrying about who will take of their children.  We provide both crisis and long-term care for survivors of sexual assault.

Programs

• Adult Sexual Assault Program - a program that uses a group support system so that women can learn from each others' experiences and heal together

• Teen Sexual Assault Program - a program specifically for teens who have suffered sexual abuse; we focus on helping teenage girls understand their feelings and empower them to open up about their experiences to start the healing process

• Children's Program - education and therapy services for children and their parents

Services

• Safe Shelter - Available 24/7
• 24-Hour Crisis Line
• Advocacy/Counseling services, including:
  • Medical or legal emergencies
  • Advocacy during a sexual assault exam at the SANE exam location
  • Housing assistance
  • Financial resource referral
  • Court accompaniment and legal support
  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program. Medical care and advocacy are offered to sexual assault victims by specially trained nurses and advocates.
• In-home advocacy services through the domestic violence housing initiative program
• Prevention, Education and Outreach
• Community Referrals

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)

Shelterhouse offers a community-based SANE program that includes specially trained nurses and Shelterhouse advocates. This team serves victims in a confidential and compassionate manner, while improving evidence collection for more comprehensive investigations. The SANE program is free of charge and provides services to victims of all ages. The community-based SANE program is run through the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (Shelterhouse) and operates in a donated space at the Center for Women’s Health. Specially trained SANE nurses provide medical care and forensic evidence collection and Shelterhouse advocates provide emotional support.