Rape Crisis Center Resources

Rape Crisis Center Resources

The Rape Crisis Center (RCC) provides direct services to sexual assault victims and their families 24/7 using staff and trained volunteers to deliver crisis counseling, support groups, hospital and court presence, advocacy, community education and training for professionals, including law enforcement, medical and social service personnel.

• 24-Hour Crisis Hotline - Trained advocates provide crisis intervention services and emotional support to victims of sexual violence on our 24-hour toll-free crisis line. 
• Victim Advocacy - Advocates are on call 24-hours a day to provide hotline support, accompany victims to area hospitals, law enforcement agencies, court, etc. to aid and support throughout the medical, legal, and criminal justice process.  Free in-office consultations are available during regular office hours.
• Information and Referral Services – In-house follow-up care with one of our licensed therapists are available for all victims of sexual violence, as well as referrals to other service providers for help in easing the physical and emotional pain of sexual violence. 
• Support Groups - Support groups are offered for survivors of rape and sexual assault.  Groups provide a safe, confidential place for survivors to support each other. Please call our office for more information on our support groups.
• Community Education - Rape Crisis Center provides primary violence prevention education in schools, churches, businesses, and other community organizations. Staff members are also available to provide sexual violence awareness programs and in-service training for professionals upon request.
• SANE- Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations can be done at our agency as an additional community access point. We offer services to all members of our community including those who identify as LGBTQ+ and cis gendered men.
• Call 251-473-7273 to speak with a RCC advocate or 1-800-718-7273 for support outside of Mobile County.

What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence is any type of unwanted sexual contact. This can include words and actions of a sexual nature against a person’s will and without their consent. Consent is voluntary, mutual, and can be withdrawn at any time. Reasons someone might not consent include fear, age, illness, disability, and/or influence of alcohol or other drugs. A person may use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence. Anyone can experience sexual violence, including children, teens, adults, and elders. Those who sexually abuse can be acquaintances, family members, trusted individuals, or strangers.

Forms of sexual violence

• Rape or sexual assault
• Child sexual assault and incest
• Sexual assault by a person’s spouse or partner
• Unwanted sexual contact/touching
• Sexual harassment
• Sexual exploitation and trafficking
• Exposing one’s genitals or naked body to other(s) without consent
• Masturbating in public
• Watching someone in private acts without their knowledge or permission

Victims are never at fault.
It doesn’t matter what someone is wearing or how they are acting, victims are never to blame. A person may use force, threats, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence. An absence of injuries to the victim does not indicate consent.

There are many reasons why someone may choose not to report to law enforcement or tell anyone about an experience. Some include:

• Concern about not being believed
• Fear of the attackers getting back at them
• Shame or fear of being blamed
• Pressure from others not to tell
• Distrust of law enforcement
• Belief that there is not enough evidence
• Desire to protect the attacker