I am the Detective Division Commander for the Augusta Police Department overseeing all of the Detectives.I have one of my Detectives currently on the board of the Center.We are very involved with the Center and the Center is an integral part of our sexual assault cases. They are the support system for the victims and for my Detectives doing the investigations. It would be very difficult to do these investigations without the Center's expertise and support.
I have been working with various staff from Rape Crisis (more years than the average age of the volunteers)since the 70s. I would be absolutely lost with out them. They are invaluable in their role. Many times they just know what to say or do, when the survivor is about to fall apart. If I'm at a lost for a question asked of me by the survivor, the volunteer is ready and able to step in and help me out, or at least can find the answer for the survivor in a time;y fashion. When I'm in the middle of a case, and am working at collecting "evidence", I cannot leave the room, thus my volunteer is my link to the "outside" world. If the patient needs a drink, or a warm blanket, the volunteer is ready and willing to do anything to help the patient/survivor feel more comfortable and once again feel in charge of their life.
I am a law enforcement officer and have worked with the Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Center on several occasions. They have always been extremely helpful with victims of abuse. There are several cases that I have investigated that I have refered the victim to them for services. They are always helpful and willing to come out and assist victims at all hours and in any situation. I have also had several victims that have reported the crime to me after receiving services from the center. The advocates are always extremely helpful in supporting the vicitm without interfering with the investigation.
Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Serivces is an awesome agency. In my professional practice I find that a medical forensic exam with out their support and advocate present makes for a long tedious time for the patient. Their services are also essential to the examiner. We are unable to leave the room we work in once started and the advocates not only support the patients but assist the examiners in many ways. Their follow up with our patients is unparalleled and provides for a complete and unbiased patient experience.