OUR MAJOR GOALS

• Assist victims of sexual assault and/or stalking with direct victim services-identify and assist victims of sexual assault to overcome the negative aspects of the crime committed against them and to increase their knowledge of the resources available to assist them

• Provide prevention education to community residents- increase training opportunities for volunteers assisting victims of sexual assault

• Increase the knowledge of first responders who assist victims of sexual assault and stalking

 

EDUCATION

Trained staff will alleviate the impact of rape and sexual assault on Arkansans by providing education and awareness programs, services and training on rape and sexual assault prevention.

 

RECOVERY

The Center for Healing Hearts & Spirits will work on connecting you with the appropriate mental health counseling servicesﾊto assist you through the stages of recovery.ﾊOur advocacy center mayﾊhelp youﾊfindﾊfinancial assistance to pay for these servicesﾊif you meet certain criteria.

 

HEALING

The healing journey is different for every person, it may take a short or long time,  you may learn how to live a fulfilling life while healing.  Support groups provide the opportunity toﾊlearn from other survivors how their journey has been, but most importantly, you wonﾕt feel isolated.

 

HOPE

There will be trained volunteers to bring hope and healing to victims who need help and hope. Survivors may becomeﾊvolunteers once they have reached a healthy stage in their recovery.

 

WHAT IS SEXUAL VIOLENCE?

Sexual violence is a sex act completed or attempted against a victimﾕs will or when a victim is unable to consent due to age, illness, disability, or the influence of alcohol or other drugs. It may involve actual or threatened physical force, use of guns or other weapons, coercion, intimidation, or pressure.

Sexual violence also includes intentional touching of the genital, anus, groin, or breast against a victimﾕs will or when a victim is unable to consent; and voyeurism, exposure to exhibitionism, or undesired exposure to pornography. The perpetrator of sexual violence may be a stranger, friend, family member, or intimate partner.

 

STATISTICS

• Every 68 seconds someone in America is a victim of sexual assault.

• 1 out of every 6 women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape.

• 1 out of 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.

• Every 9 minutes a child is a victim of sexual assault.

• By age 18, 1 in 4 girls will be sexually assaulted; by age 18, 1 in 6 boys will be assaulted. On average, there are 463,634 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault reported each year in the United States.