Why Choose Us?

Confidentiality


Sexual assault is extremely traumatic psychologically, socially, and physically. Many victims choose to begin the healing process with the supportive assistance offered at a sexual assault crisis center. A sexual assault victim talks to an advocate in order to get help in making important decisions about his or her life and future. Many survivors will not come forward to get the help that they need and deserve for many reasons, with the most common being-fear of being blamed by others, fear of their families finding out about the assault, fear of other people finding out, fear of their names being made public by the news media and others.

At S.A.C.E.C. we take the confidentiality of our clients very seriously.  We believe in empowering clients and supporting in making their own decisions, our counselors are here to inform clients of options available, not to make decisions for them.  Being part of the Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services (CONNSACS) coalition, we are protected by CGS 52-146k, which ensures confidential communications between the victim/survivor and their sexual assault counselor.  We cannot disclose any information about a client without that client's informed written consent.  This serves to protect victims of sexual assault in our communities and to help them to feel comfortable in coming forward to seek assistance.

Working with survivors of sexual violence is our specialty

Our area of focus is very specific- we only work with survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones.  This allows us to stay up to date on the latest information, laws and statistics relevant to sexual violence.  The SACEC works closely with area police departments, hospitals and the Department of Children and Family Services to coordinate appropriate services for survivors and to increase the likelihood of successful prosecution of sexual offenders.


Goal Oriented Counseling

Due to the fact that S.A.C.E.C. only provides short term crisis counseling, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to achieve dramatic results with clients in a relatively short period of time. Our counselors help clients to set goals for their services at the beginning of their very first session and stay focused on these goals throughout the remaining sessions. Many clients report that they begin to see immediate results from their work with SACEC counselor.


Continuity of Care

Continuity of services is especially important for survivors of sexual assault who often don't want to keep having to retell their story to new individuals. SACEC is the only stability that clients have throughout the process, being the only agency that is there from the time the client enters the emergency room, throughout making a police statement, preliminary court proceedings to trial. We are also there with them through all of the healing that takes place during and after these events. Having the support of the SACEC throughout, can increase not only a client's well being during this process, but can also encourage them to stay strong during the process and stick with it, when many survivors want to quit.

The Entire Community Benefits

By helping survivors of sexual assault, we are helping these important members of our community to become more active stable parents, employees and community members.  The clients we serve are teachers in our schools, leaders of our businesses, doctors and attorneys in our community, parents and other productive citizens in the 8 towns we serve.  By helping them to deal effectively with the trauma of sexual assault, we are helping the entire community.


Certification

All paid and unpaid staff having direct client contact or access to any client records must have successfully competed a minimum of 35 hours of formal training on topics related to sexual assault and the requirements as outlined in Connecticut General Statute 52-146K.
 
The Center provides 3 to 4 Certification training sessions per year which includes but is not limited to the following topics. (Please Contact Us for information about participating in this training program.)
 
          -Dynamics of Sexual Assault
            -Crisis Theory/Intervention Communication/Basic Counseling Skills
            -Empowerment
            -Diverse populations including:
                    --elderly, ethnic, racial and language minority communities,
                       lesbian and gay communities, males, and persons with physical
                       and/or mental disabilities
             -Dynamics of Child Sexual Abuse and Incest
             -Information on Hospital and Medical Systems
             -Overview of and advocacy within the Criminal Justice system
             -Information on Community and State Resources
             -Information on confidentiality Statutes, Agency policies, and Staff 
               Procedures
 
Upon completion of all training hours, the trainee must successfully complete an exit interview with the trainer and pass an exam on the covered topics. If all of this is successfully completed an individual will become a Certified Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor.
 
This certification lasts for one year. In order for an individual to renew their certification they must attend a minimum of 8 hours of Center sponsored
re-certification training sessions throughout the year.
 
We Are There When You Need Us

Our Advocates are available 24-hours a day/7 days a week, to meet clients at the hospitals and police stations to support clients, aid in the evidence collection examination, help making a police statement, or talk to family members.

We are available for support when you need it - through court and judicial proceedings.  If a client is unable to attend a trial for whatever reason, our advocates are available to attend the proceedings for them.

Our counselor's flexible schedules allow clients to schedule appointments around their schedule.  Clients don't have to come to our office, we will meet clients in the community at a location that is convenient for them.



 

One Dock Street, Suite 320 Stamford, CT 06902
203-348-9346 Office 203-324-2321 Fax
24-hour hotlines
local English 203-329-2929
 toll free 888-999-5545 
statewide Spanish 888-568-8332