RAPE CRISIS COUNSELING

• NCJ Number: 49534
• Author(s): L E HICKS
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 7 pages
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN DEANS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND COUNSELORS, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, MARCH 18-21, 1976

Annotation

OPERATION OF THE RAPE CRISIS COUNSELING CENTER OF THE NEW ORLEANS, LA., YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (YWCA) IS DESCRIBED. ABOUT 36 PERCENT OF PHONE CALLS INVOLVED CRIMES NOT REPORTED TO THE POLICE.

Abstract

THE 24-HOUR RAPE CRISIS COUNSELING SERVICE OF THE YWCA IS OPERATED BY A STAFF OF 2 PROFESSIONALS AND ABOUT 30 TRAINED VOLUNTEERS. VOLUNTEERS EACH SERVE 5-14 HOUR SHIFTS IN THEIR OWN HOMES. PHONE CALLS ARE ROUTED FROM THE CENTER VIA AN ANSWERING SERVICE. THE CALLER'S CONFIDENTIALITY IS STRICTLY MAINTAINED. ABOUT 5-6 RAPE VICTIMS OR RELATIVES OF RAPE VICTIMS CALL PER WEEK. ABOUT 10 PERCENT OF THESE CALLS INVOLVE VICTIMS UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE. ABOUT 15 PERCENT OF THE CALLS INVOLVE RAPES WHICH OCCURRED MORE THAN 3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CALL. APPROXIMATELY 36 PERCENT INVOLVE CRIMES NOT YET REPORTED TO THE POLICE. IN THESE CASES, THE VICTIM IS URGED BUT NEVER PRESSURED, TO REPORT THE CRIME. IN GENERAL, A MINIMUM OF 2 OR 3 CALLBACKS ARE REQUIRED FOR FOLLOWUP COUNSELING WHILE SOME CASES HAVE REQUIRED AS MANY AS 17 TO 20. THESE INVOLVE INFORMATION FOR THE VICTIM. FOLLOWUP TO THE POLICE OR OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, AND REFERRALS FOR MEDICAL AID OR APPROPRIATE COUNSELING AID. WHEN THE VICTIM SEEMS IN IMMEDIATE NEED OF ONE-TO-ONE COUNSELING, SHE IS REFERRED TO THE PONTCHARTRAIN MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, WHICH PROVIDES UP TO 6 SESSIONS OF FREE COUNSELING FOR RAPE VICTIMS. THE 20-PAGE TRAINING MANUAL FOR VOLUNTEERS IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. THE VOLUNTEERS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVE ROLE-PLAY USING TAPES TYPICAL OF CALLS FROM RAPE VICTIMS. CONSIDERABLE TIME IS SPENT ON DEALING WITH THE PATIENT'S FEAR THAT CONFIDENTIALITY WILL BE BROKEN. A 2.5-HOUR MONTH INSERVICE REFRESHER SESSION FOR VOLUNTEERS ALSO IS HELD. IN ADDITION TO THE CRISIS COUNSELING, THE CENTER IS WORKING TO CHANGE ATTITUDES TOWARD RAPE VICTIMS THROUGH PUBLIC APPEARANCES, TALKS AT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS, AND A NEWSLETTER. RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS FOR RAPE VICTIMS, AS HANDLED IN NEW ORLEANS, ARE DESCRIBED IN A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION. (GLR)