ywca of bergen county rape crisis center |
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free and confidential services *
* Services are available to anyone with concerns about all forms of sexual abuse, assault and sexual harassment. |
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hotline 201-487-2227
The Rape Crisis Center provides a free and confidential 24-hour hotline to survivors of sexual abuse/assault, their family and friends. Support is available to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse/assault, whether it happened hours or years ago. |
confidential sexual violence advocates are available 24 hours a day,seven days a week, to provide:
- Short-term crisis intervention counseling.
- Medical and legal accompaniments to hospital emergency rooms, medical clinics, police departments, law enforcement agencies and legal proceedings.
- Information about the importance of medical attention, reporting the crime, the legal process and sources of support for the survivor, family and friends.
- Referrals and community resources for survivors and family members seeking group counseling, long-term counseling, medical, legal and/orfinancial information.
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therapy groups
The Rape Crisis Center sponsors therapist-facilitated groups for adult women survivors of sexual abuse/assault, survivors of child sexual abuse and significant others (i.e. family, friends of survivors).
community education/training
Our speakers’ bureau is available to address schools, professional and community groups on issues surrounding sexual abuse/assault.
Training is available to professionals who deal with survivors of sexual violence in their jobs, and we offer a variety of brochures and booklets.
To schedule a speaker call 201-881-1751.
volunteers
Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including office work, public speaking, letter writing, research and direct service provision. For information about the next volunteer training, call 201-881-1751.
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For more information call 201-881-1700.
To schedule a speaker call 201-881-1751.
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if you are raped:
- Get to a safe place.
- Call the YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center for support and information.
- Get immediate medical attention.
- Consider notifying the police. (If you plan to seek medical or legal assistance, do not bathe, shower, douche, change clothes, eat, drink, smoke or urinate.)
sexual assault is:
- A violent crime. 87% of all rapists threaten the victim with violence or death and/or carry a weapon.
- The responsibility of the offender, not the victim. No person “asks for” or provokes sexual abuse by acting or dressing in a particular manner.
- Not an act of lust. The offender’s motive is not sexual gratification, but to control, humiliate and/or degrade a person.
- The most underreported crime. The FBI estimates that only 1 in 10 rapes are reported.
sexual assault can happen:
- At any time, night or day.
- Anywhere: at home, on a date, in a car or in a public place.
- To any person: regardless of sex, gender identity, age, race, sexual orientation, appearance, religion, occupation or educational level.
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myths and facts about sexual assault
myth
Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.
In reality, the majority of the time the offender is someone that the victim knows. Victims are usually coerced, manipulated, tricked or threatened by someone they are acquainted with. One study found that 84% of women who were raped knew their attacker and for 57% of those women, the offender was a first date or romantic acquaintance.
fact
Alcohol or drugs increase a person’s vulnerability to sexual assault.
Alcohol and drugs can increase anyone’s vulnerability. In one study, 75% of males and 55% of females were under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the rape occurred.
fact
The most common place for rape to occur is in the victim’s home.
The second most common place is the offender’s home, because the offender is usually someone the victim knows. Many people think that sexual assaults happen in dark, abandoned places, but the greatest risk lies where we feel the safest.
fact
Most of the time, rape is planned.
Rape is not an impulsive act. If it is a single offender, the rape is planned 60% of the time; gang attacks are planned 90% of the time.
myth
Rapists are deranged, psychopathic, under-educated men from poor backgrounds.
Rapists are found in all socioeconomic classes. Offenders can be anyone: doctors, lawyers, the homeless, blue-collar workers, classmates, co-workers, etc.
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special events
The YWCA Rape Crisis Center sponsors a number of special events throughout the year to help raise community awareness of sexual violence. These include:
Bergen County Clothesline Project: a powerful visual display of shirts, created by or on behalf of survivors, that bears witness to rape, sexual abuse, incest, child abuse, domestic violence and death as a result of violence. There are clotheslines for men and children as well.
The Work of Healing: An Exhibit of Survivors’ Artwork & Poetry: a creative avenue to acknowledge the pain, healing and courage of those whose lives have been touched by sexual victimization.
Recovery: A Survivors’ Poetry Reading: an event that seeks to acknowledge the pain of survivors of sexual victimiza-tion, celebrate their healing process and develop a sense of community among concerned individuals.
Office: 201-881-1700
Fax: 201-487-5990
Website at: http://www.ywcabergencounty.org
The YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center’s services are free to all survivors, their families and friends.
The Center is a program of the YWCA of Bergen County and supported through grants from the NJ Department of Community Affairs (Division on Women), NJ Division of Criminal Justice, Bergen County Department of Human Services and the United Way.
The YWCA of Bergen County Rape Crisis Center is a safe and welcoming place for all survivors.
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