Healing after sexual assault looks different for every person, but no one should have to face it alone. Compassionate support and trusted resources can help people who have experienced sexual assault feel safe, informed, and empowered in their healing journey.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), someone in the United States experiences sexual assault nearly every minute. These experiences can have lasting psychological, emotional, and physical impacts.

Support Is Available

If you or someone you care about has experienced sexual assault, confidential support is available.

You can call the Pillars Community Health Sexual Assault Hotline anytime at 708-482-9600 to speak with a trained advocate.

Advocates can help with:

• Emotional support and crisis intervention
• Hospital advocacy
• Legal advocacy and court support
• Counseling and therapy services
• Referrals to additional resources

All services are free and confidential.

Healing and Support After Sexual Assault

RAINN reports that over 423,000 individuals over the age of twelve experience sexual assault in the United States each year. 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.

Each center provides:

• 24-hour crisis intervention services through a confidential hotline
• Counseling, advocacy, and prevention education for survivors and their families
• Prevention education programs in Illinois schools and communities
• Training and prevention programs for schools, law enforcement, hospitals, and civic groups

These services are all free of charge and available to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, or income.

At 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.

Confidential 24/7 Sexual Assault (SA) Hotline

When you call the Pillars Community Health Sexual Assault Hotline, a trained advocate will answer and provide compassionate support. Advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, to listen and help you explore your options.

Some people call looking for information, resources, or referrals. Others call to talk anonymously about what they have experienced.

The conversation is caller-led. 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.

Advocates can provide support through medical advocacy, criminal justice advocacy, civil justice advocacy, and general advocacy services.

 

Advocacy Services

Medical Advocacy

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.

An advocate can:

• Provide emotional support during the hospital visit
• Share information about survivor rights following sexual assault
• Explain available follow-up services

The advocate remains with the individual for as long as they would like support.

Criminal Justice Advocacy

Criminal justice advocacy provides support if someone chooses to report the assault to law enforcement or pursue criminal charges.

With written consent, an advocate can:

• Provide support during police reports or interviews
• Help explain the legal process
• Communicate with law enforcement or State’s Attorneys to obtain updates

 

Civil Justice Advocacy

Civil advocacy focuses on legal protections available through the civil court system.

This may include:

• Assistance with Orders of Protection
• Court advocacy at the Maywood and Bridgeview courthouses
• Legal referrals and information, including resources related to Title IX

 

General Advocacy

General advocacy addresses needs that fall outside the categories above. Advocates can help connect individuals to additional support, including:

• Economic assistance resources
• Counseling or therapy programs
• Other community services

 

Counseling

Counseling always starts with creating an emotionally safe place and building trust. Each person guides the pace and focus of their counseling because everyone’s experiences and needs are different.

Counseling may include:

• Education about trauma and common trauma responses
• Compassionate, non-judgmental support
• Strategies to calm the nervous system and manage distress
• Tools to help individuals regain a sense of control and safety

Many people who experience trauma may feel disconnected from their bodies or emotions. Counseling can help individuals rebuild a sense of safety and connection over time.

 

Therapy Services

PCH offers several therapeutic approaches designed to support people healing from sexual assault.

Sexual Assault Therapy

Therapy often focuses on:

• Creating safety through a predictable, supportive therapeutic environment
• Grounding and regulation strategies, such as breathing or sensory exercises
• Understanding trauma responses, including intrusive memories, hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or difficulty trusting others
• Exploring and challenging harmful social myths about sexual assault that place blame on the person who experienced the assault

Therapy also includes psychoeducation, helping individuals understand that many trauma responses are common and understandable reactions to traumatic experiences.

Sexual Assault Group Therapy

Group therapy provides a supportive environment where individuals can connect with others who have had similar experiences.

Participants may:

• Learn about the emotional and physical impacts of trauma
• Practice techniques to calm the nervous system
• Strengthen connection with their bodies
• Reduce feelings of isolation through shared understanding

 

 

You Are Not Alone

Confidential support is available. If you or someone you care about are seeking safety and support after experiencing a sexual assault, call the Pillars Community Health Sexual Assault Hotline anytime at 708-482-9600 to speak with a compassionate member of our team.