For Victims and Survivors

For Victims of Sexual Assault
Who Does RCIS Serve?
Have You Been Recently Sexually Assaulted?
Confidentiality
Fees
RCIS has Qualified Counselors
Client Services

For Victims of Sexual Assault

Sexual violence is inflicted on all races, people of all economic status, across all age groups and impacts both men and women. Victims of sexual violence experience a wide range of emotions and often need support from family, friends and professionals to piece their lives back together. As the designated center for sexual assault victims in Carroll County, Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County (RCIS) offers support services for victims to assist in the healing process. All services offered by RCIS are free and confidential.

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Who Does RCIS Serve?

RCIS serves people age 12 years and older, male and female, victims of sexual violence, and significant others regardless of the length of time since the assault.

Please note that our full range of services is available to male victims as well as female victims. Women are not the only victims of rape and sexual assault. In fact, one in every ten victims of rape is male (Source: Rape Incest and Abuse National Network, www.rainn.org). Male victims are even less likely than female victims to report the crime or to seek help and support. Men suffer many of the same effects of sexual assault as women, and at times their reactions are more profound. Men often suffer an exaggerated sense of self blame, guilt, and anger. For more information specific to men, please see our resource page.

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Have You Been Recently Sexually Assaulted?

Victims should seek medical attention immediately
- Sexual assault can leave victims with injuries that are visible and invisible to the naked eye. Victims should be examined at the hospital immediately following the assault to treat any injuries, and be tested for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
- Victims can also be treated at the local health department or their regular GYN during their regular hours.
If you go to the nearest hospital
- It is important that a victim not shower and not change clothes before going to the hospital to preserve evidence.
- Specially trained nurses called Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE) are available at Carroll Hospital Center and other hospitals in the region. SAFE nurses not only treat victims of assault but collect any and all evidence from a survivor's body to be used during the sexual assault investigation.
- Victim participation is at the discretion of the victim while at the hospital. A victim may decline any and all parts of the exam. For more information regarding SAFE exams please visit www.ccgh.com.
- An RCIS trained volunteer counselor will meet you at the hospital.
Victims may also utilize free and confidential services from RCIS. Please see services below.

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Confidentiality

Confidentiality is essential to effective therapy and support services. Everything a client discusses with counselors or therapists at RCIS is kept private between that client and our agency. Professional ethics and Maryland law require that we protect the confidentiality of people who seek help from us. A signed permission form by the client is required before information about a client is released to anyone outside the agency. The only instances that RCIS would report any discussion between a counselor and a client without the client's written permission are:

If the client threatens harm to self or others
If the client discloses child abuse
In rare cases, certain types of court proceedings may force RCIS to discuss client information with judicial officials

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Fees

All services are free! Although government grants, private donations, agency fundraising and private donors contribute funds needed to provide free services, there are budget shortfalls and hundreds of people seeking help. To make the best use of these resources and to provide quality service, we ask that people who take advantage of counseling services help with a personal donation when possible.

Suggested donations: $7 per group therapy session and $15 per individual counseling session.

Important - Donations are not required for any client service. Please note these suggested donations only represent about one-sixth of the actual cost to provide counseling services.

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RCIS has Qualified Counselors

RCIS agency therapists are licensed, professionally trained, and have years of experience working with victims of sexual violence.

Our licensed agency therapists have Master's Degrees in counseling, social work or related fields, and at least one other counseling certification. These certifications may be obtained through licensing by the State of Maryland, the National Certified Counselor Program or other professional organizations.

RCIS also has specially trained crisis counselors to counsel clients via our 24-hour hotline and at the RCIS office. Our crisis counselors successfully complete our Crisis Counseling Certification program and receive additional training each year they are an active crisis counselor with RCIS. All volunteer crisis counselors are carefully monitored by specially trained staff and agency therapists.

Every staff member, volunteer crisis counselor and board members must successfully pass a background check before serving with RCIS.

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Client Services

24 Hour Hotline
Walk-in Crisis Counseling
Court, Hospital, Police and School Accompaniment
Individual and Group Counseling
Information and Referrals

24 Hour Hotline 410-857-7322 Crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to clients in crisis. The hotline is available for victims of sexual violence as well as loved ones of victims. The hotline is not an option for on-going counseling but is offered as a tool for clients needing to speak with someone right away. Crisis counselors are not a replacement for licensed therapists. On-going counseling is offered through our individual and group counseling services.

Walk-in Crisis Counseling Staff crisis counselors are available between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday (excluding county recognized holidays) at our center located in Westminster, MD. No appointment is necessary. Clients seeking in-person crisis counseling are welcomed to walk-in during office hours for help. Staff crisis counselors are not a replacement for licensed therapists. On-going counseling is offered through our individual and group counseling services.

Court, Hospital, Police and School Accompaniment Crisis counselors are dispatched when warranted to assist any victim of sexual violence when requested through our 24 hour hotline. Counselors can be dispatched to the Carroll County Courthouse, Carroll Hospital Center, any Carroll County Police Barrack, any Carroll County School and other locations. Crisis counselors support and educate victims when they appear in court, at the hospital, to the police and school.

Individual & Group Counseling Counseling is most effective when it is a priority and done regularly. To meet with an agency therapist, an appointment is needed. Both day and evening therapy appointments are available. All therapy sessions are conducted at our office located in Westminster, MD. Funding limitations make it impossible for us to provide free counseling services for longer than 6 months. If additional counseling is desired, local referrals can be made. A contribution of $15 per session is suggested from each participant per session, but is not required.

Short term therapy groups are available during designated months throughout the year. Pre-registration is required. The number of members in the group averages 6-8.

Groups meet one evening each week for 1-1/2 hours under the guidance of a licensed therapist to discuss issues such as trust, intimacy, family relationships, and anger associated with sexual assault. The group meets for 12 consecutive weeks and is closed to new members after the first week. This program is designed as a supplement to individual counseling, but is not mandatory. A contribution of $7 per session is suggested from each participant per session, but is not required.

We are committed to treating our clients with dignity, respect, equality and professional expertise. To make the most of the counseling services available from our agency, clients should plan to:

attend sessions regularly and be on time
communicate honestly with your therapist
make a determined effort to follow the exercises designed to help you with your pain
cooperate with agency policies regarding scheduling appointments and cancellations
give counseling and your healing process the priority it deserves in your life.

For more information or to schedule a therapy session, please contact the RCIS office at 410-857-0900.

Please see other links throughout this website for more information about sexual violence.

Information and Referrals The Rape Crisis center is located in Westminster, Maryland and any client may receive services at the center. If you reside in a distant area, we may be able to provide you with a referral for services in your area. Please call 410-857-0900 for a referral. For more information about sexual violence or Rape Crisis, please visit the rest of our website or call our office at 410-857-0900.

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Sign up for our Emails For Emails you can trust	For Victims and Survivors For Victims of Sexual Assault Who Does RCIS Serve? Have You Been Recently Sexually Assaulted? Confidentiality Fees RCIS has Qualified Counselors Client Services For Victims of Sexual Assault Sexual violence is inflicted on all races, people of all economic status, across all age groups and impacts both men and women. Victims of sexual violence experience a wide range of emotions and often need support from family, friends and professionals to piece their lives back together. As the designated center for sexual assault victims in Carroll County, Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County (RCIS) offers support services for victims to assist in the healing process. All services offered by RCIS are free and confidential. ^ Top of Page Who Does RCIS Serve? RCIS serves people age 12 years and older, male and female, victims of sexual violence, and significant others regardless of the length of time since the assault. Please note that our full range of services is available to male victims as well as female victims. Women are not the only victims of rape and sexual assault. In fact, one in every ten victims of rape is male (Source: Rape Incest and Abuse National Network, www.rainn.org). Male victims are even less likely than female victims to report the crime or to seek help and support. Men suffer many of the same effects of sexual assault as women, and at times their reactions are more profound. Men often suffer an exaggerated sense of self blame, guilt, and anger. For more information specific to men, please see our resource page. ^ Top of Page Have You Been Recently Sexually Assaulted? Victims should seek medical attention immediately Sexual assault can leave victims with injuries that are visible and invisible to the naked eye. Victims should be examined at the hospital immediately following the assault to treat any injuries, and be tested for sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. Victims can also be treated at the local health department or their regular GYN during their regular hours. If you go to the nearest hospital It is important that a victim not shower and not change clothes before going to the hospital to preserve evidence. Specially trained nurses called Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE) are available at Carroll Hospital Center and other hospitals in the region. SAFE nurses not only treat victims of assault but collect any and all evidence from a survivor's body to be used during the sexual assault investigation. Victim participation is at the discretion of the victim while at the hospital. A victim may decline any and all parts of the exam. For more information regarding SAFE exams please visit www.ccgh.com. An RCIS trained volunteer counselor will meet you at the hospital. Victims may also utilize free and confidential services from RCIS. Please see services below. ^ Top of Page Confidentiality Confidentiality is essential to effective therapy and support services. Everything a client discusses with counselors or therapists at RCIS is kept private between that client and our agency. Professional ethics and Maryland law require that we protect the confidentiality of people who seek help from us. A signed permission form by the client is required before information about a client is released to anyone outside the agency. The only instances that RCIS would report any discussion between a counselor and a client without the client's written permission are: If the client threatens harm to self or others If the client discloses child abuse In rare cases, certain types of court proceedings may force RCIS to discuss client information with judicial officials ^ Top of Page Fees All services are free! Although government grants, private donations, agency fundraising and private donors contribute funds needed to provide free services, there are budget shortfalls and hundreds of people seeking help. To make the best use of these resources and to provide quality service, we ask that people who take advantage of counseling services help with a personal donation when possible. Suggested donations: $7 per group therapy session and $15 per individual counseling session. Important - Donations are not required for any client service. Please note these suggested donations only represent about one-sixth of the actual cost to provide counseling services. ^ Top of Page RCIS has Qualified Counselors RCIS agency therapists are licensed, professionally trained, and have years of experience working with victims of sexual violence. Our licensed agency therapists have Master's Degrees in counseling, social work or related fields, and at least one other counseling certification. These certifications may be obtained through licensing by the State of Maryland, the National Certified Counselor Program or other professional organizations. RCIS also has specially trained crisis counselors to counsel clients via our 24-hour hotline and at the RCIS office. Our crisis counselors successfully complete our Crisis Counseling Certification program and receive additional training each year they are an active crisis counselor with RCIS. All volunteer crisis counselors are carefully monitored by specially trained staff and agency therapists. Every staff member, volunteer crisis counselor and board members must successfully pass a background check before serving with RCIS. ^ Top of Page Client Services 24 Hour Hotline Walk-in Crisis Counseling Court, Hospital, Police and School Accompaniment Individual and Group Counseling Information and Referrals 24 Hour Hotline 410-857-7322 Crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to clients in crisis. The hotline is available for victims of sexual violence as well as loved ones of victims. The hotline is not an option for on-going counseling but is offered as a tool for clients needing to speak with someone right away. Crisis counselors are not a replacement for licensed therapists. On-going counseling is offered through our individual and group counseling services. Walk-in Crisis Counseling Staff crisis counselors are available between 9am-5pm Monday-Friday (excluding county recognized holidays) at our center located in Westminster, MD. No appointment is necessary. Clients seeking in-person crisis counseling are welcomed to walk-in during office hours for help. Staff crisis counselors are not a replacement for licensed therapists. On-going counseling is offered through our individual and group counseling services. Court, Hospital, Police and School Accompaniment Crisis counselors are dispatched when warranted to assist any victim of sexual violence when requested through our 24 hour hotline. Counselors can be dispatched to the Carroll County Courthouse, Carroll Hospital Center, any Carroll County Police Barrack, any Carroll County School and other locations. Crisis counselors support and educate victims when they appear in court, at the hospital, to the police and school. Individual & Group Counseling Counseling is most effective when it is a priority and done regularly. To meet with an agency therapist, an appointment is needed. Both day and evening therapy appointments are available. All therapy sessions are conducted at our office located in Westminster, MD. Funding limitations make it impossible for us to provide free counseling services for longer than 6 months. If additional counseling is desired, local referrals can be made. A contribution of $15 per session is suggested from each participant per session, but is not required. Short term therapy groups are available during designated months throughout the year. Pre-registration is required. The number of members in the group averages 6-8. Groups meet one evening each week for 1-1/2 hours under the guidance of a licensed therapist to discuss issues such as trust, intimacy, family relationships, and anger associated with sexual assault. The group meets for 12 consecutive weeks and is closed to new members after the first week. This program is designed as a supplement to individual counseling, but is not mandatory. A contribution of $7 per session is suggested from each participant per session, but is not required. We are committed to treating our clients with dignity, respect, equality and professional expertise. To make the most of the counseling services available from our agency, clients should plan to: attend sessions regularly and be on time communicate honestly with your therapist make a determined effort to follow the exercises designed to help you with your pain cooperate with agency policies regarding scheduling appointments and cancellations give counseling and your healing process the priority it deserves in your life. For more information or to schedule a therapy session, please contact the RCIS office at 410-857-0900. Please see other links throughout this website for more information about sexual violence. Information and Referrals The Rape Crisis center is located in Westminster, Maryland and any client may receive services at the center. If you reside in a distant area, we may be able to provide you with a referral for services in your area. Please call 410-857-0900 for a referral. For more information about sexual violence or Rape Crisis, please visit the rest of our website or call our office at 410-857-0900. ^ Top of Page Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County P.O. Box 1563 - Westminster, MD 21158 Office: (410) 857-0900 - Fax: (410) 876-9147 Email: info@rapecrisiscc.org 24-Hour Hotline: 410-857-7322 United Way of Central MD, Combined Charity Campaign, Maryland Charity Campaign - 5650 Combined Federal Campaign - 18031 Website by bizmarquee.com, inc.