about
sexual assault Program
All Sexual Assault staff is Spanish/English bilingual and all services are provided in either English or Spanish with the exception of counseling groups which are conducted in Spanish.
Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that is not consensual. Sexual assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to participate in unwanted sexual contact or attention. Sexual assault can take many forms: inappropriate touching; vaginal, anal, or oral penetration; rape; and child sexual abuse. Survivors of sexual harassment are also seen in the sexual assault program.
24-hour intervention is available through the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline (888) 293-2080.
Mujeres provides support for adult survivors of sexual violence, both Spanish and English speaking, at many stages in their recovery. Staff also work with significant others such as parents of children who have been sexually abused, partners or adult family members of survivors. The goal of these services is to ensure that survivors of any form of sexual violence receive all the necessary support and to assure them that they are not alone. The Sexual Assault Program offers counseling, both individual and group, as well as medical advocacy, legal advocacy, community education, professional training and therapy.
Education & Support
Mujeres provides survivors with short-term individual counseling, a 15-week educational group and an ongoing support group. Counseling sessions help reduce a survivor’s symptoms and offer stability. The ongoing group offers survivors the opportunity to share experiences with other survivors and to build a support system. A therapist is also available to work with survivors whose lives have been severely affected by sexual violence. The therapy can be short or long-term based on the clients’ needs.
Hospital Partnerships
Mujeres partners with four hospitals in the area- Mercy, St. Anthony, Norwegian American, and the Veteran's Administration hospital for medical advocacy. The medical advocate explains the medical and criminal justice processes to survivors. The advocate also discusses the survivor’s rights and options to ensure that they receive the treatment they deserve.
Law Enforcement Liason
Mujeres also assists survivors to work with the police and with the judicial system. A court advocate can accompany survivors to the police station to assist with filing a police report, and to court for hearings. The advocate can also assist a survivor with obtaining a civil-no-contact-order, a stalking-no-contact-order or an order of protection. The court advocate may also attend court related appointments and meetings with the survivor.
Community Training
In addition to the services Mujeres provides directly to sexual assault survivors, Mujeres also educates the community and trains other individuals who can help survivors, such as police, church leaders, school personnel and medical professionals. A 42-hour training that is certified by the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault is also provided for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with the program.
U-Visa and VAWA Assistance
The Sexual Assault Program includes U-Visa and VAWA assistance.
Contact
For More Information
Maritza Rayes
For volunteer opportunities with the Domestic Violence Program, visit our volunteer page. For more information about the Sexual Assault Program please contact Maritza Reyes at 773-890-7656 or maritza@mujereslat.org