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Rape Crisis Center
1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
Sexual Violence is a public health epidemic in the United States and Ohio, impacting our family members, neighbors, and friends. The term “sexual violence” encompasses all abusive and coercive acts of violence in which sex/sexuality is used as a weapon to harm, humiliate, control, exploit, and/or intimidate. It impacts individuals of all ages and demographic boundaries. Sexual violence is a traumatic crime that affects survivors physically, mentally, emotionally, behaviorally, and spiritually. It also impacts families, communities, and systems.
Sexual assault in any form is often a devastating crime. Assailants can be strangers, acquaintances, friends, or family members. Assailants commit sexual assault by way of violence, threats, coercion, manipulation, pressure, or tricks. Whatever the circumstances, no one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted.
If you are a survivor of sexual assault, a family member, or a friend, free, confidential help is available by calling the YWCA Rape Crisis Center Hotline 24 hours, 7 days a week at (419) 241-7273 or toll-free at (866) 557-7273.
What does the YWCA Rape Crisis Center offer?
The YWCA Rape Crisis Center provides:
24/7 Rape Crisis Hotline staffed by a specially trained crisis team of Advocates offering confidential support
Advocacy and Support in Hospital Emergency Rooms
Crisis support for survivors and their families
Assistance applying for victim's compensation
Advocacy and support during legal proceedings
Information and referrals to other support services & resources
Support groups for survivors of sexual assault
Supporting victims of sexual assault through our
Support groups can be incredibly valuable for individuals who have experienced such trauma, as they offer a safe and understanding space to share, heal, and find solidarity among others who have gone through similar experiences. Call the YWCA Rape Crisis Center directly to learn more about the support groups and to inquire about scheduling.
For more information on logistics and scheduling, please reach out to us.
There is no cost associated with attending these support group sessions. This ensures that financial barriers do not prevent survivors from accessing the support they need.
The support groups are open to individuals aged 16 and over; however, for participants under the age of 18, parental or guardian permission is required to attend the sessions.
Survivors can join the support groups through self-referrals or referrals made by the agency. This flexible approach ensures that individuals can access the support they need through different channels.
SA Support Group
Interested in Volunteering for our Rape Crisis Center? Become an Advocate on our Hotline or for Outreach
After Sexual Assault, What to know
LEGAL INFORMATION
Once a sexual assault has occurred, a victim must know and understand their rights. The information in this section will help guide you through what can be a very confusing and intimidating process.
For a strong, legal case, it is best to have a forensic exam at major Lucas County Emergency Rooms (ERs). When a sexual assault presents at an ER, the staff will contact the police, but it is up to YOU whether you make a report. Remember, reporting is different from prosecuting, and the decision to pursue charges can be made at a later time.
Contact the YWCA Rape Crisis Center at 419-241-7273 or 866-557-7273 (toll-free) and arrange for an Advocate to meet you at the hospital or accompany you to police interviews, and court proceedings.
**The YWCA Rape Crisis Center is a free and confidential Service**
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Sexual Assault is considered a violent crime; however, the degree of physical injury varies. Even if you don’t have any obvious physical injuries, it is recommended that you seek medical attention. You may have been exposed to sexually transmitted infections or be at risk for pregnancy.
The choice to have the forensic (evidence collection) exam is yours. Victims do not have to go through the forensic exam. Having physical evidence collected DOES NOT obligate victims to press charges, but it does help to keep their options open. A hospital cannot refuse to treat sexual assault victims if they decline to report to law enforcement.
Physical evidence can be collected through a forensic exam within 96 hours, or 4 days, of the assault. If the assault happened more than 96 hours ago or you choose not to go to the hospital, call the YWCA Rape Crisis Center Hotline at 419-241-7273 or toll-free at 866-557-7273.
If you choose to go to the hospital, a YWCA Rape Crisis Center Advocate can be there to offer you help and support through the process. The hospital should call an advocate or you can request one upon arrival at the hospital.
Do not change your clothes, bathe, douche, or brush your teeth, because valuable evidence may be lost. If you must change your clothes, bring them with you in a paper bag (plastic should not be used for evidence purposes.)The physical evidence on the victim’s body and clothing will be collected at the hospital. Medications should also be offered to prevent sexually transmitted infections and/or pregnancy. The police will be notified of the assault. However, it is up to you to make a police report. Remember, reporting is different from prosecuting, and the decision to pursue charges can be made at a later time.
HIV testing should be completed at an anonymous testing site. Call the YWCA Rape Crisis Center Hotline at 419-241-7273 for referrals.
There is NO COST to the victim for a forensic exam. However, if there are additional medical concerns or tests they are the responsibility of the victim. Contact the YWCA Rape Crisis Center if you receive any medical bills related to your emergency room visit.
How Friends & Family Can Help
You have the most important role in helping the survivor of sexual assault in their recovery by giving them the reassurance, love, comfort and support they need.
The experience of rape can be extremely painful, and a survivor may require your understanding. The rape experience is a crisis that the survivor must work through at their own pace, and most survivors do work through this crisis and return to their normal routine. Most survivors have a great deal of inner strength, and your support can help a survivor regain their feelings of personal strength and self-worth.
Here are some steps you can take to assist someone dealing with trauma from experiencing sexual assault:
Listen to them. Let the person know you are available if they need you. Resist the urge to ask for details.
Provide comfort and support in a way that is best suited for the survivor. Ask them if there is anything you can do or get for them.
Let them know it wasn’t their fault. Many rape victims feel guilty or blame themselves. Reinforce that they did not deserve what happened to them. The perpetrator is the only one to blame.
Offer protection or a safe place to stay. You can also offer to stay at their home if that would be better for them. Remember, the choice is up to them.
Suggest calling a Rape Crisis Center – (866) 551-7273. A rape crisis counselor can discuss the victim’s options and needs.
Empower the survivor to gain back control over their life. Allow them to make decisions about what’s best for them.
Recognize they may need some personal space and time before they resume sexual relations. Some may not want to be touched or held for a while, yet others may want that closeness.
Discuss their options – making a police report, getting counseling, having a medical exam. Offer your support – whatever their decision.
Be there for them in whatever way they need you. Recovery takes time. Understand they may not want to talk about it today, but they might need you several months from now.
Learn about rape/sexual assault trauma. The YWCA Rape Crisis Center has information available about rape and support services.
Recognize your own limits. Sexual Assault affects the family and friends of survivors as well. It’s OK to call the Rape Crisis Center for your own needs. Family and friends are not invulnerable to the trauma of assault.
If someone tells you they’ve been raped, whether it happened recently or several years ago, it’s important to tell the survivor, “I’m sorry this happened to you. I’m here if you need me—anytime.”
History of the Rape Crisis Movement
The rape crisis movement was developed in the early ’70’s based on a need for specific services for victims of sexual violence.
In Toledo, in 1972, one woman answered that need when a series of rapes were reported and several victims requested help from authorities. Offering assistance out of her home, she quickly realized that she alone could not manage the number of callers being referred to her by local law enforcement.
A plea for help and volunteers went out to the community. Out of this effort, Toledo United Against Rape was formed. The original five women began the task of recruiting people from the community to help and enlist help from law enforcement, medical personnel, and the prosecutor’s office in establishing the team effort that still exists today.
Since its inception in 1972, the Rape Crisis Center in Toledo has been primarily a volunteer group relying on women and men from the community to provide services. Volunteers are still active in all aspects of the operation of this Center.
In 1988, Toledo United Against Rape was faced with many challenges. The need for volunteers was critical and financial support was limited. The need to grow and meet the needs of an increase in people seeking help forced us to consider merging our group with a larger agency. The Board of TUAR began meeting with local directors of human service agencies to find a home for our service. The result of our search was to accept the YWCA’s proposal to merge with their agency.
January 4, 1989, was our first day of service as the YWCA Rape Crisis Center. Since that time, we have expanded our service area to include all of northwest Ohio and parts of Michigan. The YWCA Rape Crisis Center offers 24-hour, 7-day crisis line availability for victims of sexual assault and their families and friends, support groups, and scheduled appointments at the office during business hours. Also, the Center offers emergency housing and financial aid if needed. Additional services include legal advocacy, hospital accompaniment, and help with state compensation claims. Our speaker advocates offer general education for the community and professional training for the medical, legal, and social service venues on the management of the rape victim.
Throughout the years, the volunteer component of the Center has received many awards from the local, state, and national levels for program structure and the dedication and commitment of the volunteers.
The YWCA Northwest Ohio Rape Crisis Center is one of the largest centers in Ohio providing over 6,000 services a year, including but not limited to crisis services, support, education, information, and referrals.
This Center was the first in Toledo, Ohio to offer victim services. Due to this effort, additional services were formed to support battered women, victims of drunk drivers, and Parents of Murdered Children. All found their roots in the Rape Crisis movement and the efforts of one woman who answered a call for help.
Annually, the YWCA hosts the “Chalk the Walk” event on Denim Day during the month of April.
What is Chalk the Walk?
YWCA’s Annual event in support of survivors of Sexual Assault. We welcome the public to come join us at 1018 Jefferson Ave, in Toledo on Denim Day to write supportive, uplifting messages and drawings across our sidewalks, using chalk, to show support for individuals who have experienced sexual assault. This event is welcome to all ages.
What is Denim Day?
Denim Day began in Italy in 1992 when an 18-year-old girl was raped by her 45-year-old driving instructor who had taken her on her first driving lesson. The survivor reported the rape and her attacker was arrested and prosecuted. He was found guilty of rape and sentenced to prison but appealed. The appeal went all the way to the Italian Supreme Court which overturned his conviction and released him. The Justices released a statement reading that at the time of the attack, the girl was wearing tight denim jeans, that she must have helped her attacker remove them, and therefore, since she must have helped remove them, it wasn’t rape but consensual sex.
Outraged by the verdict, women in the Italian Parliament took to the steps of the Supreme Court wearing jeans. As international news spread of the overturned conviction, similar protests sparked and a national day of protest and solidarity with survivors of assault was born – Denim Day. The YWCA of Northwest Ohio recognizes this day by holding a “Chalk the Walk” event. Community members are encouraged to write positive messages to survivors outside of our shelter doors.