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4001 Dayton Street McHenry, IL 60050 Phone: 815.344.1230 Fax: 815.344.3815 |
Events - click on BOLD dates for event details
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24-Hour Crisis Intervention By Phone 7 Days a Week A trained VOICE advocate is available 24 hours – 7 days a week. Advocates are available to listen and talk a victim through a difficult moment such as a traumatic flashback, memory, feeling depressed, or feelings of inability to cope. Advocates can provide empathy, support and validation during these difficult times. 24-Hour Emergency Response to Area Hospitals 7 Days a Week (Medical Advocacy) When a person is sexually assaulted, it is advised that he or she seek medical treatment at the emergency room (free of charge). Emergency Departments are required to call a VOICE advocate to be with a victim to provide information and support during medical exams and evidence collection, as well as information pertaining to follow-up care. VOICE’s obligation is with the victim and advocates are available to provide information so a victim can make informed decisions about medical treatment and evidence collection. Legal Advocacy The VOICE legal advocate can be a main contact for a victim of sexual assault or abuse. With the victim’s permission, the advocate can be the person to make the phone calls to law enforcement and criminal justice personnel and keep the victim informed as to the status of the case or report. In addition, the advocate will provide information and support so the victim can make informed decisions during legal proceedings. For more information or questions pertaining to medical or legal advocacy, please contact Patsy Breitholtz at 815-759-7055. Individual Crisis Counseling VOICE always has a counselor available to provide follow-up care with victims and significant others. The VOICE counselor can discuss coping mechanisms and provide support in the healing process. The goal is to alleviate the victim’s suffering and help the victim to return to their level of functioning before the assault or abuse. Counseling With Significant Others of Victims Oftentimes significant others want support and information on how they can help a loved one through the trauma of a sexual assault. The VOICE counselor can provide ways to be an effective support system as well as help the significant other through emotions such as guilt and shame. On-Going Therapy At times, a victim needs more than counseling either because of the nature of the assault or abuse, the frequency, or the effect it has had on that particular individual. Therapy with VOICE can address these issues and help a victim work through them to regain control in their lives and return to their level of functioning before the trauma. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Dr. Erin Williams at 815-759-7066. Information and Education About Sexual Violence The VOICE community educator can provide information on a variety of topics to organizations and businesses throughout McHenry County. Such topics may include sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, teen dating violence, date rape drugs, and legal issues surrounding sexual assault and abuse. Prevention Education Per Illinois Public Act 95-764, sexual assault awareness education is mandatory for all public high schools, colleges, and universities. The VOICE community educator speaks to students at McHenry County schools on a variety of topics including, but not limited to, sexual assault, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, teen dating violence, date rape drugs, and legal issues surrounding sexual assault and abuse. Presentations can be tailored to best reach a particular group (for example, age or culturally appropriate). To schedule a speaker free of charge, or for more information, please contact Katie Lay at 815-759-7142 or by e-mail at klay@pioneercenter.org. Referrals to Other Agencies and Community Services If a victim has other issues outside sexual assault and/or sexual abuse, VOICE will provide him or her with the appropriate contact and service information for another agency who is better equipped to work with such issues. |