Signs of Hope / Community Action Against Rape

Crisis response: through a group of dedicated and well-trained volunteers and staff, the organization runs a 24-hour hotline for victims of sexual assault, and anyone needing assistance, information, referrals, or resources related to sexual assault. In addition, the organization operates a 24-hour hotline in partnership with law enforcement and the national human trafficking hotline to provide on-scene crisis response to victims of human trafficking. Volunteers and staff also respond 24/7 in person to victims being seen for sexual assault exams at university medical center. The organization also offers text and online chat services to allow individuals to reach out for support using different forms of technology. Advocacy: our advocates provide free and confidential support to survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones. Services are available whether the abuse occurred days or decades ago. Our advocates provide survivors of sexual violence with accompaniment to make a police report or for court proceedings and hearings, k-12 school advocacy, assistance applying for protection orders, victims of crime compensation, confidential address program, tenant's right to terminate lease due to sexual assault, and other forms, confidential prison rap elimination act (prea) hotline and mail program for incarcerated survivors, referrals to medical, mental health, legal, employment, and housing, and shelter resources. Counseling and support: counseling and support: through a grant from the Nevada women's philanthropy in 2010, the organization developed a counseling center to provide individual and group support to victims of sexual assault and abuse, and human trafficking. The organization provides individual therapeutic services to both primary and secondary victims. In addition, numerous support groups are available, and therapist led. New technologies are utilized enabling the organization to provide more counseling than ever before. A full-time spanish speaking therapist is also available, which helps the organization further expand counseling services to the spanish speaking Community. Education and outreach: it is the belief of the organization that while victims' services are critical to our mission, equally important is prevention, education, and outreach to stop the epidemic of sexual violence in our society. This includes education for youth, parents, caregivers, and the hospitality industry. The stay safe program continues to educate hospitality professionals year-round. Human trafficking: the resources and integration for survivor empowerment (r.i.s.e.) Program provides services to individuals who have experienced any type of exploitation or trafficking in sex and/or labor/work settings. This can look like forcing or manipulating people into working in any industry, including commercial sex, where someone else takes a significant part or all the person's money, even to pay off a debt or favor. Individuals may also be forced to turn over their identity documents and stay in abusive, neglectful conditions. These situations are often depicted with people being physically bound or locked away. Support is available for anyone who has experienced this including all ages, genders sexual identities, races, and ethnicities, including those who speak languages other than english, and regardless of u.s. Citizenship status.