Sexual Trauma & Recovery Services : Tri-County United Way

Services
Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services provides a wide range of free and confidential services to all victims of sexual assault in Washington County - past or present, children or adults, friends or family.
• 24 Hour Hotline
• Crisis Intervention
• Short Term Counseling
• Information and referrals
• 24 hours a day / 7 days a week

Support is available whether the assault occurred several hours or many years ago.

Counseling
Short-term counseling is available for individuals, couples, families, friends, and significant others. A counselor will work with you as you begin to sort out your feelings and regain control over your life.

Medical Escorts
Advocates are available to meet survivors at an emergency room or a private physician’s office to provide emotional support and information about medical procedures.

Legal/Court Proceedings
Advocates are available to accompany and provide emotional support to survivors throughout the legal process. A counselor is available to accompany a victim to police and court procedures if the crime is reported.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner is a registered nurse who is certified in providing forensic medical exams. Evidence collected, by using specialized equipment within 72 hours after an assault, can document internal injuries for better prosecution of a case.

Information and Referrals
Hotline callers may receive information and referrals on medical, legal, court procedures, support programs and counseling services.

Crime Victims Compensation Claims
Staff provides information about, and assistance with, Crime Victims Board Compensation claims for individuals who choose to report the crime to the police or have a forensic medical exam.

Prevention Education
Outreach programs about sexual harassment, prevention and self defense is available to schools, professional and community groups. A lending library is also available.

Trudi Trueheart - puppet on staff at STARS - 7 years old, survivor of child sexual abuse. Trudi is used in the Pre-K - 3rd grade school prevention program talks to kids about personal safety and the touching rule:
"No older person is allowed to touch you on the private parts without a good reason."

Volunteers
STARS relies heavily on volunteers to help provide services. Volunteers take an intensive training program that covers crisis intervention and short-term counseling skills, dynamics of sexual assault, legal systems, medical issues, and working with special populations. Following completion of the 30 hour NYS certified training; volunteers cover the hotline, provide medical and/or legal escorts, and attend special training sessions on topics related to sexual assault.

STARS 24 Hour Hotline 1-800-225-7114