Crisis Intervention | Victim Services Center

24 Hour Hotlines
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I've Been Raped: What Do I Do Now?
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Accompaniment
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Community Crisis Response Team
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Information & Referral

"I am glad I reached out to Victim Services Center. I was confused about what options were available to me and my family. You were able to help me put things in perspective."
- Hotline caller

"I never thought I would need to call a crisis hotline, but when I did, I was treated with respect and compassion and I knew I had made the right phone call."
- a survivor

Contacting the hotline is usually the first step in direct crisis intervention. In Montgomery County, VSC has the only two 24-hour hotlines, which guarantee an in-person response by staff and volunteers to victims and their families at hospitals and/or police accompaniments. The hotline is available for survivors of violence, their friends, family and significant others.

If you or someone you know has been raped, click here to learn what to do: I've Been Raped: What Do I Do Now?

"I felt supported having an advocate with me when I had my rape examination at the hospital."
- a victim of rape

VSC staff and volunteers receive state certified training to assist victims of sexual violence at hospital and/or police accompaniments. At the victim's request, VSC staff or volunteers will meet them at the hospital and/or police station if they have been the victim of a crime of sexual violence. Our role during the accompaniment is to provide support to the victim, their family, friends and/or significant others.

"I'm so glad your organization was able to come out and help us at a time like this."
- a victim/witness of a bank robbery

After the Columbine shootings and extensive media coverage about the counseling afforded the students and staff of Columbine, members of the community began calling VSC to request group and individual counseling after a community crisis occurred. As a result, several staff members attended the 40 hour Keystone Crisis Intervention Training (KCIT) which included learning the steps of bringing a group through the three various stages of reacting to a crisis:

Discussing how they feel;
Venting and frustration and;
Predicting and preparing for the future.

Community crisis intervention is available to individuals, groups, employees, managers or any organization that request services. Usually the team will meet with a group once unless multiple sessions are required.

VSC maintains current information on a full range of services available in the county to residents, from aging and the elderly to transportation. Callers to the hotline receive information and referrals to social service agencies, county agencies, etc. depending on the type of service necessary.