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Sexual Assault Support Services

Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) provides a range of services for those individuals seeking assistance regarding a recent or past sexual assault or abuse history.  All services, including our hotline, empowers individuals to seek out their own solutions by providing accurate information and options with compassion and respect for the survivor’s cultural background and experiences.

24-Hour Confidential Hotline:

Our hotline is staffed by Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates 24-hours per day, seven days per week.  Individuals can seek assistance through the hotline to obtain information, referrals, crisis intervention, options, and support.  The Somerset County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) can be accessed by contacting the hotline, as well as requests for accompaniments to medical exams, police department, prosecutor’s office, and/or court proceedings.  The hotline can be accessed by dialing (908) 526-7444.

Crisis Response:

Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates are specially trained to accompany survivors of sexual violence through the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), as well as medical exams at the local hospital or doctor’s office, or to local police departments and/or prosecutor’s office.  During accompaniments, Advocates provide information, options, emotional support, as well as supporting the decision a survivor wishes to make during his or her treatment and/or aftercare.  Advocates are also able to assist significant others during this time of crisis.  An Advocate can be reached by contacting the 24-hour hotline at (908) 526-7444.

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Court/Legal Accompaniments:

Advocates are also available to survivors who have chosen to proceed with a criminal investigation and/or civil complaint.  Advocates are there to be supportive and inform a survivor of his or her rights during interactions with law enforcement, as well as providing emotional support throughout.  Additionally, Advocates can be helpful in informing survivors of legal procedures and providing support during court appearances.  SASS often works in conjunction with the Somerset County Office of Victim-Witness Advocacy to provide such support.  Since court and legal proceedings typically occur during business hours, it is highly recommended to contact SASS staff to discuss this option and to make an appointment for the accompaniment.  SASS staff can be reached by calling the hotline at (908) 526-7444, or (908) 526-2335 ext. 132 or 130 during business hours.

Counseling:

Survivors and their loved ones can also access counseling services at SASS.  SASS provides both individual and group counseling options by qualified staff members at our location in Somerville.  Short-term 12-week counseling at SASS is free of charge and can be extended on a case-by-case basis to a maximum of 24 weeks for on a sliding fee scale.  Whether sexual violence has occurred recently or in the past, survivors need specialized treatment by a professional with experience to help deal with the trauma of sexual assault.  Anyone interested in beginning counseling through SASS may call our hotline at (908) 526-7444 for more information.

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Group Counseling:

Often survivors benefit from the assistance other survivors can share and offer.  Our professionally facilitated support group provides a confidential space for survivors to obtain support from one another while sharing their experiences, both past and present.  SASS currently offers a support group for adult female survivors of both child and/or adult sexual assault and abuse.  An intake process is necessary before entrance into the group.  For more information, please contact Irene Lebbad at 908-526-2335, ext. 130.

ATTENTION!: The Psycho-Educational Group for adult survivors of sexual assault will begin in Sept 14, 2010.  This is a FREE 12-week educational support group for adult survivors to alleviate PTSD symptoms and build ego-strength and resiliency.  The group meets at Women's Health & Counseling Center, 71 Fourth Street, Somerville, NJ 08876.  To join the group, contact Irene Lebbad at 908-526-2335 ext. 130.

Community Education, Outreach, and Prevention:

For twenty years, SASS has been providing programs at local schools, businesses, and community organizations in an effort to raise awareness about sexual violence.  We are currently embarking on a process in which we are aiming to prevent sexual violence in our community.  We are partnering with local agencies in an effort to mobilize our community to prevent sexual violence before it starts.  To obtain more information about this process, or to discuss your program or school’s needs, please contact the SASS Coordinator at (908) 526-2335, ext. 132.

Volunteer Program:

SASS currently utilizes volunteers from the community to provide essential crisis intervention services to survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones.  This can be done both on the phone through our hotline, or in person through SART, at Somerset Medical Center, or at local police departments.  Volunteers are an important part of SASS and assist survivors during their time of crisis.

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To purchase tickets for any of these events and raffles or for more info, please contact Michelle at 908-526-2335 ext. 134 or send her an email.

◊ 10^th Annual Women’s Health Benefit, “Imagine, Believe, Help Us Achieve!” Don’t miss this year’s celebration on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the Bridgewater Marriott. Sponsorships, ad journal opportunities, and tickets are available by calling our Development Department at 908-526-2335 ext. 134 or send us an email.

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◊ English-speaking 12 week psycho-educational support group for adult survivors of sexual assault begins Sept 14, 2010. Call 908-526-2335 x130 for more info.

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◊ 10 week training for volunteer rape care advocates to join Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) begins Sept 16, 2010.  Call 908-526-2335 x130 for more info.