Rape Response

Rape- You don't have to face it alone.

At Rape Response we offer confidential crisis counseling, hospital accompaniment, legal accompaniment, individual counseling, support groups, prevention education, HIV testing, and a SANE facility for collection of evidence in a non-medical environment.

Service List

If you or someone that you know is a victim of sexual violence please call 256-767-1100.  Our staff and volunteers work together to maintain a 24-hour crisis line.  No time is a bad time to call for help. 

Regardless of whether or not your assault was recent or years before, our trained staff and volunteers can help.  All conversations with volunteers and staff are confidential within the confines of Alabama law.

For more information about this service:

Emergency: 256-767-1100, 1-800-917-7273

Info: 256-765-0025

Crisis Counseling

Rape Response has an on-site forensic exam center (SANE facility) with a trained SANE nurse.  Exams at our SANE facility are available within 72-hours of an assault.  Our staff and volunteers accompany victims to a hospital of their choice, or to our SANE facility. 

The SANE facility minimizes wait time, reduces errors in evidence collection, provides victims with personalized care, is a secure location for police interviews, and has a comfortable waiting area for family members.

For more information about this service:

Emergency: 256-767-1100, 1-800-917-7273

Info: 256-765-0025

Hospital and SANE Accompaniment

Rape Response provides confidential counseling for victims of sexual violence. 

Rape can leave you with painful thoughts and feelings.  You might have trouble eating or sleeping, have bad dreams, or be afraid of everyone that you meet.  You might not want to think or talk about what has happened to you.  You might worry about what other people think, or that it was somehow your fault.  These are normal reactions to what you have been through. Our staff and counselors are here to help you process those feelings.

For more information about this service:

Call: 256-765-0025

 

Individual Counseling

Staff members at Rape Response are trained to perform HIV tests with Ora-Sure.  This is a non-invasive means of collecting DNA.  DNA is collected via an oral swab.  No blood is taken, and no needles are used. 

This is an effective way of testing for HIV, and all results are confidential.  Testing can either be done at the Rape Response office or at the UNA Women’s Center.  HIV testing is done by appointment only (unless a campus testing date is set.)

For more information about this service:

 

Free and Confidential HIV Testing

Call: 256-765-0025

We  feel that prevention programs are key in ending violence against women.  Rape Response works diligently within school systems, in group homes, and with underserved populations to educate people about sexual violence.  We promote respect for women and thereby avoid dangerous attitudes that lead to behaviors such as sexual violence.

We are always working to include men in the fight to end sexual violence.  We are initiating a Peer Advocacy Support Team (PAST) at the University of North Alabama to make rape a thing of the past. 

We provide prevention programs to community and faith based agencies.  If you are interested in scheduling a program, call our office.

For more information about this service:

 

Prevention Education

Call: 256-765-0025

 

Support Group

The Healing Circle is a support group for survivors of sexual assault.  The group meets the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. at the Rape Response office.  (Call 256-765-0025 for directions) 

Healing is made easier through interaction with other survivors of sexual assault.  Although Rape Response serves all  victims of sexual violence 14 and over, victims under age 18 cannot attend group with adults.

It is important to note that not all victims that attend support group sessions will have the same experience.  In order for us to serve you best, call our office so that we can discuss whether or not support groups or individual counseling will be more conducive to your recovery.

For more information about this service:

Call: 256-765-0025

SARTs (Sexual Assault Response Teams) are trained primary responders to sexual violence.  Rape Response currently has SARTs in Lauderdale, Colbert, and Franklin counties in Alabama.

Coordination of services to victims of sexual violence is paramount and these teams serve as an effective vehicle to get everyone’s input and develop appropriate standards and protocols to insure the highest level of service is provided to all victims.

SARTs are critical to Rape Response in order to provide services to victims who initially report their assault to someone other than us.

SART