Every 25 minutes, murder ends the life of someone in the U.S.    78 women are raped every hour.  1 person dies every 30 minutes from injuries in a DWI auto crash.

VICTIM SERVICES
THE VICTIM CENTER

Helping Survivors
Of
Violent & Sexual Crimes

… Murder ends the life of someone in the United States, leaving family and friends to suffer with grief and anger. Did you know that:

78 women are raped every hour;

One person dies every 30 minutes from injuries sustained in a DWI auto crash;

Juveniles accounted for 17% of all violent crime arrests in 1991

Homicide is one of five leading causes of child mortality in the United States;

In 1993, one violent crime occurred every 16 seconds?

A Bureau of Statistics report states that an estimated five out of six people in the United States are likely to fall victim to a violent crime at least once during their lives.

The Victim Center can help. For more information call the office at 863-7273 or the crisis hotline at 864-7233 (SAFE).

AFFILIATIONS

The Victim Center is a United Way member agency and is also a member of the Missouri Victim Assistance Network, the National Crime Center, National Organization of Victim Assistance agencies, National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, the Child Advocacy Center, and other organizations and coalitions.

 

 

 

PROGRAM AND SERVICES

The Victim Center offers the following services for children, adolescents, and adults impacted by violent or sexual crime.

24 hour crisis hotline

Crisis intervention

Individual, couple, and family counseling

Therapy and support groups

Victim advocacy services (court, law enforcement and hospital accompaniment)

Play therapy for children ages 2-12

Support for employees impacted by workplace violence

Prevention education programs for schools, businesses, and community groups

Assistance in applying for Crime Victim Compensation

Information and referral services

Female and male victims of sexual assault

Child and adolescent victims of sexual assault or sexual abuse

Adult survivor of child sexual abuse

Survivors of victims of homicide and DWI auto crashes

Victims of armed robbery, aggravated assault and stalking

Secondary victims of violent/sexual crime

SUPPORT GROUPS

The Victim Center offers a variety of therapy groups for victims of violent and sexual crimes and their loved ones. The following groups are generally offered;

Incest Survivors – For adult survivors of child sexual abuse

Children’s Groups – For children who have been sexually abused. Several children’s groups meet weekly and are divided into age appropriate groups.

Teen Group – For teenagers who have been sexually abused or assaulted.

Non-offending Parent Group – For parents of children who have been sexually abused or assaulted.

Homicide Survivors Group – For family members or loved ones of homicide victims.

Most of the Center’s therapy groups operated on twelve-week cycles. Pre-registration is required for all groups. Please call the office at 863-7273 to schedule an appointment.

Funded in part by Missouri Department of Public Safety

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM

The Victim Center offers a crisis response team for area businesses impacted by violent crime. When a violent crime occurs at a business, the employer often loses more than money or merchandise. The loss can mean reduced productivity due to anxiety or fears associated with the victimization.

The Center’s Crisis Response Team assists employers by providing, at no charge, a trained professional to come into the workplace and help victim(s) and co-workers address their fears and anxieties about the victimization.

For additional information, please contact The Victim Center office at 417 863 7273 or 417 864 7233 (24 –hour crisis hotline).

For additional information about volunteering, please contact the office at 417 863 7273.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

A variety of volunteer opportunities are available at The Victim Center. Assistance is needed with the 24-hour hotline and victim advocacy, fundraising, speakers bureau, and office support.

For additional information about volunteering, please contact the office at 417 863 7273.

The Victim Center, established in 1976 as a rape crisis center, has developed into a comprehensive victim services organization. The Center serves victims of violent and sexual crime in Springfield and Southwest Missouri.

The mission of The Victim Center is to provide:

Prevention education to help community members avoid victimization;

24-hour crisis intervention to assist victims immediately following trauma;

Counseling for those who have been victimized;

Support and interfacing with the police, criminal justice system, and medical personnel.

All services provided on a non-discriminatory basis.