NCJ Number
223014
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2004 Pages: 252-263
Date Published
February 2004
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This article presents the findings of a statewide evaluation of hotline, advocacy, and counseling services for sexual assault victims in Illinois.
Abstract
The services for rape victims provided support, increased the information they received about services and case processing, and assisted them in understanding their options and making decisions. The evaluation concludes that public funding for services to sexual assault survivors is cost-effective. The crisis hotline involved trained volunteers and staff available 24 hours a day via telephone to provide crisis counseling, information, and referrals to a wide variety of community resources. Regarding advocacy, many rape crisis centers send trained staff or volunteers to accompany rape survivors as they report their assault, obtain emergency medical care, and/or seek legal retribution in the criminal justice system. Counseling services for survivors and their families are provided by licensed professionals, paraprofessionals, or volunteers at sexual assault service organizations. The structure and content of counseling services may vary, but most often aims to help survivors deal with the psychological impact of the assault. Two general types of evaluation instruments collected information on service effectiveness: brief interview guides administered by service providers after services were concluded, and self-report questionnaires. 4 tables and 2 references