Healing and Support After Sexual Assault <\/strong><\/h1>\nRAINN reports that over 423,000 individuals over the age of twelve experience sexual assault in the United States each year.<\/strong> Healing is possible, and everyone moves through that process at a different pace. People who have experienced sexual assault are not alone. Support, resources, and trained professionals are available to help. Pillars Community Health (PCH) is part of The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA). ICASA is made up of 31 community-based sexual assault crisis centers working together to end sexual violence.<\/p>\nEach center provides:<\/p>\n
\n- 24-hour crisis intervention services through a confidential hotline<\/li>\n
- Counseling, advocacy, and prevention education for survivors and their families<\/li>\n
- Prevention education programs in Illinois schools and communities<\/li>\n
- Training and prevention programs for schools, law enforcement, hospitals, and civic groups<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These services are all free of charge and available to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, or income. <\/strong><\/p>\nAt Pillars Community Health our services are available in English, Spanish and Arabic. To help people understand what to expect when reaching out, we want to share more about how our services work and how our staff supports individuals seeking help.<\/p>\n
Confidential 24\/7 Sexual Assault (SA) Hotline<\/h1>\n
When you call the Pillars Community Health Sexual Assault Hotline, a trained advocate will answer and provide compassionate support<\/strong>. Advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,<\/strong> to listen and help you explore your options.<\/p>\nSome people call looking for information, resources, or referrals. Others call to talk anonymously about what they have experienced.<\/p>\n
The conversation is caller-led<\/strong>. You only share what you feel comfortable sharing, and you can move at your own pace. If you would like, the advocate can also talk with you about next steps, such as connecting with services at Pillars Community Health.<\/p>\nAdvocates can provide support through medical advocacy, criminal justice advocacy, civil justice advocacy, and general advocacy services.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Advocacy Services<\/h1>\nMedical Advocacy<\/h2>\n
In medical advocacy, an advocate responds when one of our partner hospitals requests support for a person receiving care in the emergency department after a sexual assault.<\/p>\n
An advocate can:<\/p>\n
\n- Provide emotional support during the hospital visit<\/li>\n
- Share information about survivor rights following sexual assault<\/li>\n
- Explain available follow-up services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The advocate remains with the individual for as long as they would like support<\/strong>.<\/p>\nCriminal Justice Advocacy<\/h2>\n
Criminal justice advocacy provides support if someone chooses to report the assault to law enforcement or pursue criminal charges.<\/p>\n
With written consent, an advocate can:<\/p>\n