What is a member sexual assault crisis program?
Each member sexual assault crisis program is an individual community-based organization funded through CONNSACS. All member programs are staffed by certified sexual assault crisis counselors and are held to CONNSACS' Member Agency Criteria and Standards of Operation.
What services are provided?
- 24-hour hotline with immediate access to trained, certified counselors
- Crisis intervention and short-term counseling
- Accompaniment and advocacy through the medical and police systems
- Preparation, accompaniment, and advocacy throughout the court system
- Information and referral for other needs
- Support groups
- TTY access available during office hours (M-F, 9-4:30);
- After hours, use CT relay (800) 842-9710
- Sign language interpreters available
- Bilingual staff
- Male counselors
- Emergency transportation by arrangement
- Professional training, community education, and prevention programs
How much does it cost?
All direct services are free of charge.
There is a statewide toll-free hotline. By dialing (888) 999-5545 from anywhere in Connecticut, the call will be automatically routed to the nearest sexual assault crisis service. En espanol, llame (888) 568-8332. There may be a fee for some trainings and educational programs.
Who can use the services?
- Victims of any type of sexual violence, including sexual assault, child sexual
abuse, incest, sexual harassment, stalking etc., even if the assault
happened a long time ago.
- Female and male victims of all ages.
- Family, friends, partners, parents, of victims of any type of sexual violence.
- Services are provided statewide, regardless of town or city of residence.
Is what I say confidential?
All sexual assault crisis counselors adhere to the Connecticut law which ensures confidentiality for any communication between a sexual assault counselor and a sexual assault victim (CGS Sec. 52-146k).
All centers have a written confidentiality policy.
We do not subscribe to Caller ID. We have "line blocking" on all phone lines. Our phone number will not appear on Caller ID boxes.
Who is a certified sexual assault counselor?
Any person who works for a sexual assault crisis center who has successfully completed a minimum of 30 hours of training; and receives at least 4 hours of advanced training annually; and is certified by the center which has provided the training; and is under the direct supervision of staff at the sexual assault crisis center; and their primary purpose is to provide advocacy, support, information, referrals, crisis counseling and other types of assistance to victims of sexual assault.
