CALL (845) 634-3344
Busque Ayuda Ahora Mismo (845) 634-3344
Rele Pou Jwen-N Èd Kounye-Au (845) 634-3344
Yais Ezra Achshav! (845) 634-3344
Sexual Assault and Rape
Sexual Trauma Services
24-Hour Rape Crisis Hotline: 845-634-3344
Sexual assault or rape is not a crime of passion but a crime of violence, using sex as a weapon to overpower and to degrade the victim. It is an experience that may leave the victim haunted by nightmares and flashbacks, feeling numb and in shock. The victim may hesitate to tell family or friends because she (or he) may feel like it’s her (or his) fault. It is not your fault. Even if a victim was drunk, high, or unconscious, sexual assault is a crime. A rapist or attacker can be a stranger or someone the victim knows including a spouse, acquaintance, date, or family member.
Sexual assault is a general term that includes any forced or unwanted sexual activity, including rape, incest, sexual abuse, and molestation. It includes any forced or unwanted touching of an intimate part of the body, such as breasts, buttocks, or genitals. Rape, a specific type of sexual assault, involves any forced, manipulated, or coerced penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth, by a penis or other object.
What Do You Do If You Are Raped or Assaulted?
- Go somewhere you feel safe
- Do not bathe, douche, clean up, change your clothes, eat or drink anything, or straighten up the area where the rape occurred. But if you have done any of these things, it’s ok.
- CALL CENTER FOR SAFETY & CHANGE’s 24-HOUR RAPE CRISIS HOTLINE: 845-634-3344
Center for Safety & Change’s Rape Crisis Counselors are trained to help. Our counselors offer a helping hand and a strong shoulder at a time when you need it most. A counselor can meet you at the hospital or police station. We'll be there for you whether or not you decide to press charges.
Free and Confidential Services for survivors of sexual assault, their family and friends:
- 24-Hour Rape Crisis Hotline
- Emergency Residential Shelter
- Culturally sensitive and bilingual services (link to What We Do/Services)
- Crisis intervention, counseling in person and by phone (link to What We Do/Services)
- Accompaniment to hospital, police, district attorney and courts (link to What We Do/Services)
- Advocacy, counseling and support services throughout the healing process
- Short-term therapy for recent and past survivors of sexual assault, incest and child sexual abuse
- Support services for friends and family members of survivors
- Medical and legal information and referral services
- SAFE: Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program (link to SAFE subpage)
- Information and assistance with completion of New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) Claim application
In addition, Center for Safety & Change’s Sexual Assault and Rape services also encompasses educational out-reach programs for schools, companies and the community at large, as well as training programs for the professional community.
