Decision Tree (Crisis – Rape)

Crisis - Rape

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department

Safe Alliance

Family Member

Rape Crisis Assistance Hotline

North Carolina Victim Assistance Network

United Family Services

RAINN

Agencies and Organizations

·         Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) – 601 E. Trade Street  Charlotte, NC 28202, Emergency and Patrol Response: 911, Non-Emergency Crime Reporting: 311, Website: http://www.cmpd.org, Contact person: Sexual Assault Unit’s Det. Laura Orlov, 704-336-6052

•           What is the best way to access the organization’s services? – The best way is by calling.

•           Is this the best number to call? - 911

•           What are the extents of the services offered? – Services offered to victims of rape are extensive, whereas the CMPD takes the necessary steps to protect and seek justice for any victim of rape. 

•           What are the criteria for clients to receive these services? – Anyone who claims to be a victim of rape meets the criteria to receive these services. Who is eligible? – Any victim of rape is eligible for any services.  

•           How does the organization provide continuity of care to clients? – CMPD provides continuity of care to clients by providing protection for rape victims and helps victims submit a police report about the incident. Officers also help victims seek medical attention by EMTs, and receive transportation to a local hospital for medical assistance by a doctor. Officers also help victims have a rape kit (Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit) performed. Police officers then pass along a victim’s report to detectives of the Criminal Investigations Bureau; specifically, the Armed Robbery/Sexual Assault division (Sexual Assault Unit). What additional services will be available or offered to clients once they become involved with this organization? – Detectives of the Sexual Assault Unit investigate, identify, apprehend and assist in the prosecution of all suspects involved in the occurrence of rape. The Sexual Assault Unit also tries to educate individuals in the prevention of rape occurring again.

•           Will you be able to have contact with your clients once they are involved with this service/organization? – Yes, victims receive telephone numbers of the detective or detectives who are handling his or her case, and detectives receive all contact information of the victims.

•           What is the organization’s policy on client follow-up? – The CMPD takes a proactive approach as for client follow-up. The CMPD stays in constant contact with rape victims until the District Attorney’s office takes over the victim’s case. Also, the CMPD may provide testimony for victims in court.   

•           What role do you or your agency play in responding to emergencies? - The CMPD is a first responder for emergencies and any crisis of rape.

·         Safe Alliance - 601 East Fifth Street-Administrative Office Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28202, Tel: 704-332-9034, Fax: 704-373-1604, Email: info@safealliance.org, Contact person: Johanna Covault 704-367-2758

•           What is the best way to access the organization’s services? - The best way is in person or by calling.

•           Is this the best number to call? - 704-375-9900

•           What are the extents of the services offered? – Whatever the client needs Safe Alliance will provide to the best of the organization’s ability.

•           What are the criteria for clients to receive these services? - Any victim of rape meets the criteria to receive these services. Who is eligible? - Any victim of rape is eligible for any services.   

•           How does the organization provide continuity of care to clients? - Safe Alliance provides continuity of care to clients by providing hope and healing for individuals in crisis. What additional services will be available or offered to clients once they become involved with this organization? -  Additional services are rape crisis programs, which assist adults and children of sexual assault and his or her family members. Also, provided are safety planning, 24 hour hotline, and 24 hour accompaniment to local hospitals in Mecklenburg county. Other services include continuing support, counseling, advocacy, case management, and support groups. As well as, court accompaniment and education, referrals to other supportive services, assistance with compensation of victims, and photographic documentation of injuries.

•           Will you be able to have contact with your clients once they are involved with this service/organization? – Yes,

•           What is the organization’s policy on client follow-up? – Safe Alliance stays in constant contact with clients throughout his or her healing process.

•           What role do you or your agency play in responding to emergencies? – Safe Alliance can be a first responder for victims of rape, and call the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) for clients after an occurrence of rape. Safe Alliance can even respond to victims of rape after the CMPD has to provide assistance and helps victims through the process of seeking medical assistance and a rape kit (Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit).   

·         Family Members – Family members provide empathy, compassion, financial, and emotional support for a rape victim in his or her time of need. Family members help by empowering their loved one. Family members of rape victims can also assist the victims in seeking help and justice; provide a safe environment after the assault and help victims through the recovery process. 

·         Rape Crisis Assistance Hotline - 601 E. 5th St., Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28202, Tel: 704-375-9900 (24 Hours), Website: http://www.unitedfamilyservices.org, Contact person: Denise 704-375-9900

•           What is the best way to access the organization’s services? - The best way is through the 24 hour hotline.

•           Is this the best number to call? - 704-375-9900

•           What are the extents of the services offered? – The Rape Crisis Assistance Hotline offers numerous services to victims of rape through their 24 hour hotline and will direct victims to other organizations for further assistance.

•           What are the criteria for clients to receive these services? - Any victim of rape meets the criteria to receive these services. Who is eligible? - Any victim of rape is eligible for any services.  

•           How does the organization provide continuity of care to clients? – The Rape Crisis Assistance Hotline is a division of Safe Alliance, which provides continuity of care to clients by providing assistance to victims of rape and his or her family through a 24 hour hotline, and in person by directing victims to Safe Alliance. What additional services will be available or offered to clients once they become involved with this organization? – Additional services are accompaniment to hospitals for care, accompaniment to interviews and meetings with the police and DA, assistance with the compensation of victims and counseling services.

•           Will you be able to have contact with your clients once they are involved with this service/organization? – Yes,

•           What is the organization’s policy on client follow-up? - The Rape Crisis Assistance Hotline and Safe Alliance stay in constant contact with clients.

•           What role do you or your agency play in responding to emergencies? - The Rape Crisis Assistance Hotline will send an advocate to assist and help a victim seeking medical attention and a rape kit (Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit), at area hospitals. 

·         North Carolina Victim Assistance Network (NCVAN) - 130 Penmarc Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27603, Tel: 919-831-2857 or 1-800-348-5068 (toll free), Contact person: Karen Remedo 919-831-2857 ext. 3

•           What is the best way to access the organization’s services? - The best way is by calling.

•           Is this the best number to call? - 1-800-348-5068

•           What are the extents of the services offered? - The extent of services offered by the NCVAN is to provide information and support for victims throughout NC and to advocate for his or her fair treatment. NCVAN provides train program two to three times a year for victim advocates and service providers of victims throughout North Carolina.

•           What are the criteria for clients to receive these services? - Any victim of rape meets the criteria to receive these services. Who is eligible? - Any victim of rape is eligible for any services.  

•           How does the organization provide continuity of care to clients? – The NCVAN provides continuity of care to clients by providing information and support for victims across NC and to be an advocate for an individual’s fair treatment. What additional services will be available or offered to clients once they become involved with this organization? - Additional services provided are a 24 hour crisis line, courtroom accompaniment/advocacy, referral/information and supportive groups. Also provided are volunteer companions for accompanying victims of sexual assault to hospitals, free professional counseling for victims of rape, family counseling, and community education concerning the prevention of rape.

•           Will you be able to have contact with your clients once they are involved with this service/organization? – Yes,

•           What is the organization’s policy on client follow-up? - NCVAN directs clients to partner organizations in his or her area that can perform client follow-up.

•           What role do you or your agency play in responding to emergencies? - As for responding to emergencies, NCVAN connects individuals to direct service emergency providers in his or her community and provides volunteer companions for accompanying victims of sexual assault to hospitals.

·         United Family Services - 604 Landcaster Ave. Monroe, NC 28112, Contact/Representative: Pamela B. Caskey, Coordinator, Tel: 704-226-1352, Website: http://www.nc-van.org/directory/mecklenburg/UnitedFamilyServicesRapeCrisis&ChildAbusePreventionServices.html, Contact person: Arleen 704-226-1352

•           What is the best way to access the organization’s services? - The best way is by calling or through United Family Services’ website.

•           Is this the best number to call? - 704-226-1352

•           What are the extents of the services offered? – The extent of services offered by United Family Services, a division of Safe Alliance is to provide information and support for victims and to advocate for victim’s fair treatment.

•           What are the criteria for clients to receive these services? - Any victim of rape meets the criteria to receive these services. Who is eligible? - Any victim of rape is eligible for any services.  

•           How does the organization provide continuity of care to clients? - United Family Services provides continuity of care to clients by providing support and information victims’ healing and justice. What additional services will be available or offered to clients once they become involved with this organization? – Additional services provided are a 24 hour crisis line, courtroom accompaniment/advocacy, supportive groups, and referral/information. Also provided are volunteer companions for accompanying victims of sexual assault to hospitals, free professional counseling for victims of rape, family counseling, and community education concerning the prevention of rape.

•           Will you be able to have contact with your clients once they are involved with this service/organization? - Yes

•           What is the organization’s policy on client follow-up? - United Family Services stays in constant contact with clients, and has an advocate or volunteer contact new clients within 24 hours. 

•           What role do you or your agency play in responding to emergencies? – As for responding to emergencies, United Family Services has a direct link with local hospitals, and provides advocates and volunteers for accompanying victims of sexual assault to hospitals. Also United Family Services will contact the local police department.

·         Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) - 1220 L Street, NW, Suite 505, Washington, DC 20005, Tel: 202-544-3064, Fax: 202-544-3556, Website: info@rainn.org, Also has a RAINN-Partner Crisis Center, Charlotte, NC 28202, Contact person: Claudia 202-544-3064

•           What is the best way to access the organization’s services? - The best way is by calling or through the website.

•           Is this the best number to call? - 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

•           What are the extents of the services offered? - The extent of services offered by RAINN’s online hotline services is to provide crisis intervention and support for victims of sexual assault. RAINN also has programs to help in preventing sexual violence, helping victims, and ensuring the punishment of rapists.

•           What are the criteria for clients to receive these services? - Any victim of rape meets the criteria to receive these services. Who is eligible? - Any victim of rape or victim or a sexual assault is eligible for any services.  

•           How does the organization provide continuity of care to clients? – RAINN provides continuity of care to clients by providing programs, which help to prevent sexual violence, and helps victims of sexual assault by ensuring to help with the prosecution of rapists. These programs are through RAINN’s partners throughout the United States in a victim’s local area. What additional services will be available or offered to clients once they become involved with this organization? – Additional services are crisis intervention and support, answers to questions about one’s recover from a sexual assault, information about medical concerns, and resources for assisting with a victim’s reporting process. Also included are referrals and information about local resources.

•           Will you be able to have contact with your clients once they are involved with this service/organization? – Yes,

•           What is the organization’s policy on client follow-up? - The online hotline provides ongoing and immediate crisis help.

•           What role do you or your agency play in responding to emergencies? - As for responding to emergencies, RAINN is not a first responder but will contact local authorities and local partner affiliates for victims.

Attempts to reach each Agency and Organization

·         Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) – In person visit on 01/06/2014, called on 01/07/2014, 01/08/2014, and 01/10/2014 (questions answered by Det. Laura Orlov, 704-336-6052)

·         Safe Alliance – In person visit on 01/06/2014, called on 01/07/2014 and 01/08/2014, received a call back on 01/09/2014 (questions answered by Johanna Covault, 704-367-2758)

·         Rape Crisis Assistance Hotline – In person visit on 01/06/2014, called on 01/07/2014, 01/08/2014, 01/10/2014, and 01/13/2014 (questions answered by Denise, 704-375-9900)

·         North Carolina Victim Assistance Network (NCVAN)  – In person (Charlotte, NC Local office) Called on 01/07/2014 01/09/2014, 01/10/2014, 01/13/2014 (questions answered by Karen Remedo, 919-831-2857 ext. 3)

·         United Family Services - Called on 01/07/2014 01/09/2014, and 01/13/2014 (questions answered by Arleen, 704-226-1352)

·         Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) - In person (RAINN-Partner Crisis Center, Charlotte, NC) on 01/06/2014, Called on 01/07/2014 01/08/2014, and 01/13/2014 (questions answered by Claudia, 202-544-3064)