What services are provided at member centers?
Our member centers provide 24-hour hotline services with immediate access to certified counselors; crisis intervention, counseling, and support groups; accompaniment and advocacy through the medical and police systems; preparation, accompaniment, and advocacy throughout the court system; information and referrals for other social and legal services; professional training, community education, and prevention programs; Text Telephone (TTY) access during normal office hours; Relay Connecticut TTY services available after hours at 7-1-1 or 1-800-842-9710; sign language interpreters, bilingual staff members, and emergency transportation by arrangement.
How much do these services cost?
All direct services are free of charge. The statewide hotline is toll-free. By dialing 1-888-999-5545 from anywhere in Connecticut, the call will automatically be routed to the nearest sexual assault crisis member center. Para Español, llame 1-888-568-8332. There may be a fee for certain training and education programs. For more on those, visit our Training and Advocacy Center webpage.
Who can use these services?
Victims and survivors of any type of sexual violence, including sexual assault, child sexual abuse, incest, sexual harassment, and stalking, can use these services. Even if the assault happened a long time ago, survivors can use these services. Female, male, and gender non-conforming victims can use these services. Family, friends, partners, and parents of victims can also access these services.
Please note that The Alliance and its member centers may not be able to assist those living outside of Connecticut. We encourage you to seek out your state’s coalition so you can receive support locally.
Is what I way kept confidential?
All sexual assault crisis counselors adhere to the Connecticut law (CGS Sec. 52-146 k), which ensures confidentiality for any communication between a sexual assault counselor and a sexual assault victim. All centers have a written confidentiality policy. The Alliance is “line-blocking” on all phone lines, and its phone number will not appear on Caller IDs.
Who are certified sexual assault crisis counselors?
Our certified sexual assault crisis counselors include any person who works for an Alliance sexual assault crisis member center and has been certified in accordance with Connecticut State Statute 52-146 k. Our certified sexual assault crisis counselors have successfully completed a minimum of 40 hours of training and receive at least 4 hours of advanced training annually. They are under the direct supervision of staff at the sexual assault crisis center they trained at, and their primary purpose is to provide advocacy, support, information, referrals, crisis counseling, and other types of assistance to victims of sexual violence.