Serving the eight towns of lower Fairfield County since 1979,
The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education
provides free, 24-hour confidential help to men, women and children
who have experienced sexual assault. We can be there from the time
the victim enters the emergency room, throughout making a police
statement, preliminary court proceedings to trial. We can also be
with the victims as the healing takes place, delivering
goal-oriented counseling. Learn more about why
victims/survivors choose The Center when they need help.
Additionally, The Center provides age-appropriate personal safety
classes for children ages 4 - 18 to reduce their risk of becoming a
victim, and education/awareness programs for the community at
large.
The Center supports eight town/cities in Lower Fairfield County
including: Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford,
Weston, Westport, and Wilton. And, all of our services are
available in English and Spanish.
The Board of Directors
Kevin Segalla, President
Laura Elliott, Vice President
John Dos Reis, Treasurer
Sangeeta Ahuja, Secretary
Lisa DeVingo
Tuesday Tamburri
Kim Hekking
Leigh D'Andrea
Betty Brennan
Clifford Benham
Sponsors and Supporters: Extra Special in our Hearts
We extend special hearfelt thanks to our generous supporters and
sponsors:
- The Steven A. and Alexandra M. Cohen Foundation
- CONNSACS
- Near & Far
Aid
- Debbie and Bryan Dietz for The William and Sylvia
Silberstein Foundation, Inc.
- United Way of Western Connecticut
- Greenwich United Way
Why Choose The Center?
Confidentiality is Critical
At The Center, we understand how important confidentiality is to
our clients. 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.
Counseling is Goal Oriented
Because The Center 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 our counselors.
Care is Continuous
Victims of sexual assault don't want to keep having to retell their
story to new individuals. The Center is one source of stability
that clients have throughout the process - we are 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're also with the victims as the healing takes place.
Having the support of the Center throughout, can increase a
client's well being during this process plus can encourage them to
stay strong and stick with it, when many survivors want to
quit.
Certification is Required
All staff and volunteers who have direct client contact or access
to any client records must successfully complete an intensive
35-hours training program on topics related to sexual assault and
the requirements as outlined in Connecticut General Statute
52-146K. They also must undergo significant re-certification
training each year to retain their certification. Our educators
also must have a state-mandated Post Certification to provide
training to police.
The Center is Ready to Help
Our advocates are available 24-hours a day/7 days a week, to meet
clients at the hospitals and police stations to aid in the evidence
collection examination, help making a police statement, or talk to
family members. We are available for support at court and judicial
proceedings. 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.
Helping Hand Reach Out Across Our Community
Don't go it alone. We're here. Contact The Center
today.
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