Alamo Area Rape Crisis Center

Programs: In 1975 two notable leaders in bexar county - former san antonio mayor lila cockrell and attorney jane macon - saw an injustice; a critical need that was growing in san antonio - the lack of a system to provide treatment for victims of sexual violence including women, children and men of all walks of life. This core group of volunteers brought their own expertise, experiences and pain to the table and embarked on a mission to support survivors and their families, and to promote risk-reduction programs within the community's educational system. The center has grown from that small, dynamic group to a strong, independent, multi-faceted agency today; offering a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, in-house crisis hotline (telephone and internet-based); counseling services (individual, group and child play therapy) for victims and their loved ones; case management services; emergency services (transportation, translation services and clothing for victims following a rape exam); community education in the area of risk reduction and primary prevention; and hospital and court advocacy and accompaniment for victims. Client services: the counseling program offered counseling services to 1,322 (prior year 1,208) during the 2016-2017 fiscal year. Of the 1,322 clients seen, 659 (prior year 899) qualified for an assessment; i. E. , they attended the required number of sessions needed to determine if significant change had occurred. Of those, 557 (prior year 782) demonstrated an improved score. As a result, 84% (prior year 87%) demonstrated a positive outcome. 16,746 (prior year 5612) individuals contacted the telephone hotline; all 16,746, were assessed for an outcome. Crisis intervention services also include medical accompaniment. Crisis intervention specialists are dispatched to two participating hospitals to provide accompaniment services to sexual assault survivors who are receiving sexual assault forensic exams. During the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the center provided hospital accompaniment services to 931 (prior year 852) clients, of which 52% (prior year 48%) agreed to be contacted for a follow-up call and assessment. Of those contacted, 100% (prior year 100%) demonstrated a positive outcome. Education services: the program includes educational presentations focused on changing attitudes & awareness, changes in skills for women and men individually and collectively for middle and high school students and adult influencers. These sessions are designed to provide skills to build positive healthy relationships. This comprehensive research-based approach will be implemented in schools and community-based programs, in particular, those focusing on 'at risk' youth. During the prior fiscal year the center educated 7,796 youth and professionals. Additionally, the center's community relations department provides general education sessions designed to inform the community about available services. In 2016-2017, 2,459 individuals participated in these types of education sessions. Trend analysis: the center offered counseling services to more than 1,296 clients for the 6th consecutive year. Clients continue to be accompanied by friends, family, loved ones, or partners who, often, following the assault/abuse of their loved one, also experience secondary trauma. Secondary trauma is the phenomenon that occurs when someone closely associated with the rape victim begins to feel similar symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the rape of their loved one. Therefore, it is crucial to offer services to both victims and their families. The majority of the center's therapists are trained to provide counseling from a systemic approach. As a result, families and friends of clients are encouraged to attend sessions as secondary victims in an effort to focus on the family as a system as part of the recovery process. The center also continued to implement conversations of hope, our outreach initiative that includes conducting both on-site and off-site mission tours. The goal of this initiative is to increase support in the community for the center and its efforts in serving as a resource and community safety net for sexual violence victims and their families. During the last fiscal year, more than 302 individuals participated in tours, thereby increasing the number of community leaders and residents with knowledge of our available services and the importance of having a 'stand- alone' rape crisis center in our area. In most instances, sexual assault services throughout the country are provided by facilities that serve both victims of sexual and domestic violence. While challenges still exist with regard to creating a balance between the center's lack of general administrative infrastructure and the need for additional program services; financially situations have improved during the fiscal year. As the center continues to work to diversify and stabilize funding the need for general operating dollars still exists to help fill the gap when government resources are decreased and/or delayed in processing. Program impact narratives

see schedule o for list of program accomplishments.