• 24 hour crisis line 770-503-RAPE or 800-721-1999
• Aftercare health services
• Hospital support to rape survivors in the emergency room
• Courtroom support for rape survivors whose case is adjudicated
• Crisis intervention for rape survivors, family members, and friends, including information & referral and collaboration with other service providers and community resources 
• Crisis intervention services are available to any survivor of sexual assault...whether anyone has been told about the assault, or whether the assault occurred hours, days, months or years ago
• Services available in Dawson, Hall, Habersham, Lumpkin and White counties
• Translation available to serve Spanish-speaking population
• All services are free and absolutely confidential
• Referral for formal counseling by licensed counselors or therapists as needed or requested

Overview of Service Delivery

In 2010 Rape Response began using new software that will improve our ability to plan, evaluate, track and report services to survivors of sexual assault, their family and friends, and the community.  We look forward to sharing information about how our rape crisis center impacts lives.  Our volunteer and staff advocates take pride in responding in a compassionate, non-judgemental manner that is individualized to meet the unique needs of each person served.

From October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, Rape Response responded to 262 crisis calls and 48 emergency room accompaniments, as well as providing information and referral as an integral part of the response and support.  During 539 follow-up contacts or crisis intervention sessions, staff advocates learned what was most important to each unique survivor and helped with plans to cope and heal.  Advocates do not make decisons for the survivor, rather they provide information, pros and cons to consider and resources to help with decisions and plans.  To meet the needs of the people and organizations served in 2009-2010, Rape Response advocates made 228 personal advocacy contacts with 115 agencies that resulted in 364 services impacting crisis intervention, safety, emotional, medical or legal issues, referral for long-term counseling or collaborative services.  Over 100 services were related to court accompaniment or coordination with law enforcement or judicial system professionals.  AFTERCARE referrals to the Hall County Health Department provided survivors with the option for free and confidential follow-up medical services and laboratory tests.

Community & Prevention Education, Public Awareness & Interagency Advocacy

Rape Response iscommitted to prevention, community education and interagency collaboration to impact the people and the communities we serve......now and in the future.  During 2009-2010 staff, including the Prevention Educator, provided prevention education to over 3000 8th grade middle school students and sexual assault awareness activities to over 1000 college/university students. Staff participated in 108 interagency activities and those experiences engaged 326 professionals or volunteers from other public and private organizations in interactions with Rape Response staff.  Throughout the five county service area, 3490 pieces of public awareness materials were distributed.  Benefits of time invested in expanded regional pubilc awareness include:

*enhanced information and referral resources & relationships

*increased knowledge about sexual assault, in general, and Rape Response roles and services

*increased opportunities for collaboration to impact effective community response and intervention