Sexual Assault Advocacy & Counseling

The United States Department of Justice defines sexual assault as any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities such as:

• Forced sexual intercourse
• Forced sodomy
• Child Molestation
• Incest
• Fondling
• Attempted rape
• Exposure to pornographic materials
• Exhibitionism
• Obscene phone calls

Child Molestation includes offenses in three categories: touching, non-touching and sexual exploitation. Examples of each include:

Touching

• Fondling;
• Making a child touch an adult’s sexual organs; and
• Penetration of the vagina or anus no matter how slight by any object that does not have a valid medical purpose

Non-Touching

• Engaging in indecent exposure or exhibitionism
• Exposing children to pornographic material
• Deliberately exposing a child to the act of sexual intercourse; and
• Masturbating in front of a child

Sexual exploitation can include;

• Engaging a child or soliciting a child for purposes of prostitution
• Using a child to film, photograph or model pornography

After a traumatic event, such as sexual assault or child sexual abuse, it is typical to have feelings of anxiety, stress or fear and, in children, regressive behaviors. These effects may make it difficult to adjust or cope afterward the attack.  In particular, severe feelings of anxiety, stress or fear, known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may occur.  Symptoms of PTSD can include reliving the event in the form of flashbacks, frightening thoughts, recurring memories or dreams; avoidance of any situations related to the event, including places, events or people; difficulty in concentration and falling asleep; feeling tense or edge; and angry outbursts. 

Children and teens may experience bedwetting, inability to talk, acting out the assault and/ or being unusually clingy with a parent or other trusted adult.

Treatment

Getting treatment as soon as possible after the traumatic event can prevent symptoms from becoming a long-term condition. Strength United professionals have extensive knowledge in the treatment of PTSD and the provision of supportive care to individuals who have been impacted by sexual assault or child sexual abuse.  These services include:

• 24-Hour Support and Referral Line
• 24-Hour accompaniment support during forensic medical evidentiary exams, court and investigative meetings
• Individual and family counseling to individuals of all ages
• Advocacy to assist clients in obtaining necessary services and information
• Case Management
• Support Groups for:
  • Children
  • Teens
  • Adults
  • Parents of sexual abused children
  • Adults molested as children

Children who have been abused or witnessed violence can experience a range of behavioral and emotional changes. They may internalize their feelings and withdraw, they may show signs of anxiety and fear, or they may act out their pain and fear by fighting, destroying property, and being disobedient or violent towards others.

In the Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment program (CAPIT), licensed and volunteer master’s degree-level counselors partner with families to help children overcome the effects of abuse, dissolve fear and trauma, and gain control of their behavior.  Counselors provide parents with steps for helping their children manage their emotions and build constructive behavior and healthy relationships free of violence.

Counselors take a positive approach in identifying and building on individual and family strengths while teaching skills for coping with stress and strategies for working through conflicts and problems.

Services include:

• Case management
• Child counseling
• Adolescent counseling
• Family counseling
• Group counseling
• Linkages to resources in the community