What is a crisis center?
This varies from center to center but generally this is an office with staff members who are capable of crisis intervention and referring an individual into a residential program. Teen Challenge has several residential crisis centers that serve as holding facilities until there is room in an induction center but the majority of crisis centers are non-residential. Click here to locate a crisis center near you.
When you call a rape crisis center, a crisis counselor will respond. Counselors, medical and legal advocates are available to help. Anyone who is a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or sexual harassment can receive services at a crisis center. Crisis center services are confidential, free and available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Staff and trained volunteers: • Answer the hotline. • Provide crisis intervention. • Meet you at the hospital. • Go with you to the police station, the State’s Attorney’s office and court. • Provide individual and group counseling. • Give you specific information about sexual assault. In addition to these services, centers provide prevention education. Prevention educators teach students about sexual assault and give presentations to community and civic groups. Staff also provides training for medical personnel, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, teachers and social workers.
