The Sexual Assault Help Center is currently in its 44th year of providing services to victims of sexual assault/violence. What began as a one-person agency has evolved into a paid professional staff and a group of volunteers who are dedicated, trained and qualified. These individuals provide a 24 hour a day, 365-days a year crisis toll-free victim hotline. Victim services include
- crisis intervention (phone and person to person);
- information, referrals (legal, medical, psychological, police and protection services
- assistance in completing victim’s compensation filing
- case consultation with other service providers including follow-up advocacy for primary and secondary victims
- supportive counseling
- support groups
- volunteer advocacy
- information programs on services offered and issues related to sexual violence
- Community outreach and prevention programming for schools, businesses, organizations, individuals and families
The Sexual Assault Help Center is unique and provides services for sexual assault primary and secondary victims. These specific services are not duplicated in our service area and are therefore greatly needed, recognized, and utilized. There is no other rape crisis center in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia. For the future and health of our community, we must continue to respond to these growing needs related to sexual violence in a supportive and proactive manner in the Ohio Valley.
