Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services
Reno, NV
89507
This web site is not intended for use as an emergency service. If you or someone you know is in a life-threatening situation, PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
24/7/365 Crisis Hotline
Call: (775) 784-8090
Text: “ANSWER” to 839863
24-Hour Crisis Hotline
Crisis Call Center’s 24-hour crisis line often serves as the first point of contact for individuals who are seeking help, support, and information. Crisis can affect anyone at any time. The need for emotional support or referral assistance is something most individuals encounter at some point in their lives. Staff and volunteers are available 24/7/365 to help individuals discover the skills and resources that they uniquely possess that allow them to develop solutions to maximize self-sufficiency.
If people have the opportunity to talk while experiencing a crisis, the risk of harm to self or others is greatly diminished. Immediate support during a crisis has also been shown to greatly reduce occurrences of abuse and neglect. One of the biggest reasons why our callers appreciate our crisis lines is the anonymous and confidential nature of the free service available to ANYONE at ANYTIME in need of assistance. During times of crisis, people often feel more comfortable talking to someone they don’t know, enabling them to discuss feelings and concerns in a way that may differ from talking with friends and family members.
Crisis Call Center’s 24-hour crisis line is here to provide a safe, non-judgmental source of support for individuals in any type of crisis. In addition to our 24-hour crisis hotline, we also offer crisis intervention through text messaging.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24-hour, toll-free suicide prevention service available to anyone in suicidal crisis. If you need immediate assistance, please dial: 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
All calls to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline are answered by local crisis centers belonging to the national network. Crisis Call Center is proud to be a member of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network.
This web site is not intended for use as an emergency service.If you or someone you know is in a life-threatening situation, PLEASE CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.
Sexual Assault Support Services
Call: (775) 221-7600. We are here for you 24/7/365.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual Assault is any unwanted, forced, or coerced sexual act. It includes inappropriate sexual contact or fondling, acquaintance rape, date rape, stranger rape, child sexual abuse, and incest. Sexual assault is not about sex, it is a crime of violence where sex is used as a weapon, motivated by the desire to have power and control over the victim.
Sexual assault violates not only a person’s body, but also their sense of safety and control over their life. NO ONE DESERVES TO BE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED!
What if you are assaulted?
If you are a victim of sexual assault, consider doing the following:
Go to a safe place.
Seek medical care immediately. You may not be aware of injuries you have received, and you should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Medical care is available at any hospital emergency room. If you are considering reporting the assault to law enforcement, call the 24-hour SASS line at (775) 221-7600 or 1 (800) 992-5757 for the support that you need.
Get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. The Washoe County Health Department or Planned Parenthood perform testing and you do not have to file a police report to receive medical treatment. Nevada law requires the county in which the crime occurred to pay for initial medical costs for victims of sexual assault.
Speak with a SASS team advocate. Discuss your options and receive referrals for additional services, ask the hospital to talk to an advocate or call (775) 221-7600.
Call a supportive person, a friend or relative, or call Crisis Call Center. Crisis Call Center is available 24/7/365 at (775) 784-8090 or 1 (800) 992-5757.
To report or not to report…
Reporting the sexual assault to law enforcement is the survivor’s choice. We encourage survivors to report the crime; however, a victim’s decision should always be respected and supported, whether or not they choose to file a police report.
If you are assaulted and you are considering filing a police report, please try to follow these guidelines to preserve evidence:
*DO NOT BATHE OR DOUCHE.
*DO NOT CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES.
*DO NOT BRUSH YOUR TEETH OR USE MOUTHWASH.
*DO NOT USE THE BATHROOM.
*DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING.
*DO NOT APPLY ANY MEDICATION.
*DO NOT DISTURB OR CLEAN UP THE CRIME SCENE.
Even if you DO THESE THINGS you can ABSOLUTELY still get an exam! Please always contact us if you have any questions or doubts.
Forensic examinations for collecting physical evidence can be conducted up to seven (7) days after an assault has occurred. You can report the crime and have a forensic examination during this time period even if you have cleaned up and/or choose not to report the incident. Please call the 24-hour crisis line at 775-784-8090 or 1-800-992-5757 for more information.
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Who are the victims of sexual assault?
Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault, regardless of age, race, socioeconomic status, cultural background, religion, marital status, physical or mental ability, gender, or sexual orientation. A person can be assaulted by their spouse.
1 of 4 girls and 1 of 6 boys will be assaulted before their 18th birthday.
1 of 6 women and 1 of 33 men will be assaulted in their lifetimes.
A Note To Survivors
You have been through a traumatic experience. It is important for you to know that no matter what the circumstances of the assault were, it was not your fault. Victims of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and incest are not to blame. Only the perpetrator is at fault.
You may experience many different feelings and emotions after the assault. The trauma of an assault does not end when the act of violence is over. Each of us responds to crisis in our own way, and no reaction is “wrong” or “crazy”. Common feelings include fear, guilt, shame and anger. Some people will experience depression, flashbacks, anxiety, troubled sleeping and/or eating patterns, and problems re-establishing sexual relationships. Many survivors re-experience some of these feelings or problems months or years after the assault.
Your reactions are unique to you.
Others may tell you how you should feel, and when you should feel “better” or what you should do to help yourself, but you are an individual, and you are entitled to your own feelings and reactions.
It is important to allow your feelings to surface following the assault. Sexual Assault Support Services volunteers can help you access information on victims’ compensation programs; long term counseling and other services that may help you rebuild your life.
Carson City, Nevada 89702
89702
VARN – Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans
VARN offers various programs serving low income residents and victims of domestic violence in 15 rural Nevadan counties. Our service area includes Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, Storey and White Pine counties.
Services provided in their programs consist of:
- Crisis Counseling
- Safety planning (link to Safety Planning page)
- Advocacy
- Emergency legal representation to extend/modify protection orders
- Legal representation in divorce, child custody, termination of parental rights and guardianship matters
- Legal representation in VAWA Self-Petition or U-visa processes
- Information and referral to other resources
There are a variety of programs offered:
The Domestic Violence Rural Immigrant Integration Project serves undocumented victims of domestic violence who would like to obtain legal status in the United States through the VAWA Self-Petition or U-Visa process.
The Domestic Violence Assistance Program provides free civil legal assistance to victims of domestic violence.
The Pro Bono Project provides pro bono (free) civil legal services for eligible low-income* individuals and families. VARN does not provide assistance in criminal matters. The Pro Bono Project provides assistance in civil legal matters by matching qualifying individuals with an attorney who will not charge for legal services.
The Lawyer in the Lobby program offers free 10-15 minute consultations with a licensed volunteer attorney. You will be able to speak to an attorney for a limited time, at no cost to you, concerning your legal problem.
