Day One Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center of Rhode Island

What do we do?

This project provides crisis intervention, counseling, support, information, and assistance with the criminal justice system, to victims of sexual assault and their non-offending family members/significant others. The Sexual Assault Victim Assistance Project includes several components designed specifically to serve sexual assault victims, adult survivors of child sexual abuse, victims of domestic violence, victims of other violent crimes, and non-offending caretakers.

The clients served by Day One range in age from preschoolers to the elderly. Males as well as females receive services, although the majority of our clients are female. Victims represent all ethnic and economic backgrounds, as the crime of sexual assault knows no boundaries

Crisis intervention and support services for victims of sexual assault and child sexual abuse (including services for adults molested as children) provides a 24-hour statewide Victims of Crime Helpline. Additional crisis intervention and support services is provided through Day One's Adult Advocacy Program, which includes the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Through the Advocacy program, victims receive assistance in seeking available victim compensation benefits.

Day One volunteer advocates are utilized both by the Helpline and the Advocacy Program. Helpline advocates also work as a referral source for the Sexual Assault Response Team.

The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a cooperative program for adult victims of sexual assault. Modeled after the ChildrenÕs Advocacy Center, SART is a team approach between the police, prosecutors, and the Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center. The goal of SART is to provide more support for victims and create stronger cases for the prosecution of sexual crimes.

SART provides a more coordinated response to sexual assault cases for adult victims. The coordinated approach makes cases easier on victims by reducing the need for numerous interviews and by providing support throughout the judicial process. Without that support, victims can often become confused and frustrated with the legal process and may decide not to pursue the case.

In 2003, SART provided services to 83 victims, an 80% increase over the previous year. Feedback from victims utilizing SART continues to be very positive. Victims feel more supported during the entire process of dealing with the criminal justice system. The feedback from police departments utilizing SART has also been positive.

Day One works in collaboration with the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence and local domestic violence member agencies to provide staffing of the 24 hour Victims of Crime Helpline by a trained corps of volunteers from all areas of the state. Last year, the Helpline received 2,805 calls, 24% (or 673 calls) of which involved issues of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and sexual harassment.

All Helpline volunteers receive extensive training (36 hours) in sexual assault issues, domestic violence issues, peer counseling, and advocacy. They also receive additional training throughout the year to increase their proficiency in meeting the needs of victims within the criminal justice system, and to meet the needs of special populations, including adult survivors of child sexual abuse, elderly victims, developmentally disabled victims, male victims, gay and lesbian survivors, victims of hate crimes, and children. In 2003, volunteer advocates provided more than 9,000 hours of service during the year. Advocacy Program staff provides approximately 265 hours of VOCA related services per month.

Day One continues to reach out to sexual assault victims. Information regarding both the criminal justice system and the services provided by Day One are offered. Victims also receive assistance in seeking available crime victim compensation benefits.

Day One's counseling staff continues to provide both individual and group counseling for children and adults (crisis intervention and solution-focused treatment), make referrals to appropriate individuals and agencies, and offer training to social service and mental health professionals on issues of sexual assault. During 2003, Day OneÕs clinical staff provided counseling to 699 individuals. The counseling staff provides approximately 265 hours of VOCA related services per month.

Who are we

Day One is a non-profit organization that provides direct services to victims (and their non-offending family members) of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, and other violent crimes. Day One's mission is to reduce the trauma and prevalence of sexual abuse and violence.

Established in 1973 as the RI Rape Crisis Center by a group of women concerned about the increasing problem of sexual assault and the lack of services and information available to victims and the public, Day One is the only agency in the state organized specifically to deal with issues of sexual assault as a community concern. Day One has been recognized both locally and nationally for its expertise in treating victims, and for its innovativeness in establishing programs that provide services in an efficient and effective manner. Day OneÕs vision is to facilitate and provide leadership in a statewide delivery system that is highly visible, accessible, effective, and responsive to the needs of the community, through advocacy, public policy, intervention, treatment, education, and prevention.

Day One serves victims of sexual assault and educates the public through a combination of paid and volunteer staff. Services include: a 24-hour, statewide Victims of Crime Helpline; crisis intervention; individual and group counseling for children and adults; consultations; advocacy (including legal advocacy); the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), the RI Children's Advocacy Center; prevention education programs and professional training; counseling and psycho-educational services for incarcerated men and women who are victims of childhood sexual abuse; Common Threads, a homicide bereavement program; a Law Enforcement Advocate program; and Fostering Healthy Families, a program for sexually abused children in foster care and their foster families.

Through Day One's Advocacy program, victims receive assistance in seeking available crime victim compensation benefits. Services are provided to victims of federal crimes on the same basis as victims of state crimes.

In 1999, Day One opened the Office of Victim Services in conjunction with the Department of Corrections. This office provides advocacy services to victims whose perpetrators are being released from prison. In addition, the office provides assistance to victim service agencies throughout the state.

Day One's "Building Bridges: A Partnership Against Violence" began in 1992 as a collaborative effort with two of the stateÕs domestic violence agencies. This innovative program was designed to provide counseling and education to victims of domestic violence who are also victims of childhood sexual abuse. We are currently providing services to clients in Woonsocket.

Through the Rural Outreach Project, Day One serves women and children who have been victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault residing in outlying areas of the state. The Rural Outreach Project works with Community Partnership teams and other community groups in rural areas of the state. The Rural Outreach Project also works closely with churches on faith-based initiatives. In 2003, 82 clients received services through Building Bridges and the Rural Outreach Project.

Established in 1993, the Rhode Island ChildrenÕs Advocacy Center (CAC) is a facility where children, who are the victims of sexual and/or physical abuse, and their non-offending family members, can go for the purpose of evaluation, evidence gathering, and counseling. Based on a national model, the CAC is a community partnership of professionals pursuing the truth in child abuse investigations. Through a comprehensive multidisciplinary team approach, professionals from child protective services, law enforcement, criminal justice, victim advocacy agencies, and the medical and mental health communities come together under one roof so that the child only has to tell of the abuse one time. Based at Day One's Providence office, the CAC now has three satellite sites in Kent, Newport, and Washington counties.

Fostering Healthy Families is a new pilot program serving sexually abused children in foster care and their foster families. The goal of the program is to provide the case management, counseling, training, and support necessary to achieve successful foster placements for these children. Through the program, Day One has provided training to personnel from the Dept. of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) and to foster parents. We are now providing case management services to several foster families. We hope to expand the program in 2004 to meet the needs of more children and their foster families.

The Adult Advocacy Services have been streamlined into a multidisciplinary team approach with the implementation of the Sexual Assault Response Team, (SART.) The SART members are comprised of staff from the Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center, law enforcement, and the Department of the Attorney General. SART members provide general information and support regarding what victims can expect as they navigate the criminal justice system. In 2003, Day One hired an Adult Advocacy Case Manager to provide more comprehensive advocacy services to adult victims of sexual assault.

The Adult Advocacy Case Manager also tracks the progress of each case within the court system in order to keep the victim informed. The team approach facilitates better communication between professionals involved, which results in an increase in the number of sexual assault cases recommended for prosecution.

Day OneÕs Clinical Program provides counseling service for child and adult victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence and other violent crimes. Both individual and group counseling is available. Last year, the clinical program provided counseling services to 699 individuals. In addition, the clinical department provides psycho-educational groups to incarcerated men and women who have been the victims of childhood sexual abuse. Last year, Day OneÕs clinical staff provided psycho-educational groups to 280 individuals at the Adult Correctional Institute.

Currently, Day One employs 28 staff members. The racial/ethnic background of the staff is 93% Caucasian, 3.5% African-American, and 3.5% Latina. Day One is an equal opportunity employer. Every effort is made to recruit minority individuals. In addition, the volunteer Helpline staff includes older women, men, and members of the LGBT community.

Day One relies heavily on its volunteer advocates to provide crisis intervention and advocacy services, including staffing of the 24-hour statewide Victims of Crime Helpline. Advocates provide crisis intervention and support, outline legal and medical options, and provide information and referrals. Advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to accompany victims to hospitals, police stations, and judicial proceedings. They also make follow-up contact with victims to ensure that their needs are being met.

In addition, volunteers work with both the Adult Advocacy Program and the ChildrenÕs Advocacy Center staff to assist clients in understanding the criminal justice process, and to provide support to victims and parents of child victims. Volunteers also staff informational tables at community events, providing information about sexual assault issues and agency services.

Day One, through the Victims of Crime Helpline program, offers three 36-hour core-training sessions each year on issues relating to sexual assault and domestic violence in order to maintain its active volunteer corps at 45-65 individuals. In 2003, Day One volunteers contributed more than 9,000 hours to filling shifts on the Helpline. Currently, we have 48 active volunteer advocates.

Day One has staff members and volunteer advocates (available on an emergency basis) who are able to converse in Spanish, French, Chinese, and Farsi. Currently, 6% of the volunteer advocates are bilingual (English/Spanish.) A brochure describing agency services and sexual assault information has been printed in Spanish. The "Victim Information Booklet" which is used by advocates meeting victims at hospitals and police departments is currently being revised. The revised booklet is printed in English and Spanish. Efforts to recruit additional bilingual volunteers are ongoing.

The population receiving services from Day One is as culturally diverse as the state population. In 2003, the ethnic populations served included:

• White 63%
• Hispanic 15%
• African-American 12%
• Asian 2%
• Native American < 1%
• Multiracial/Other 1%
• Unknown 7%

Day One is located at 100 Medway Street, Providence. The building and Day One's suite of offices are accessible to people with disabilities.

Day One receives substantial financial support from non-federal funding sources, including the State of RI, private foundations, individuals, corporations and associations, the United Way, special events, and program revenues.

Strict client-counselor confidentiality is maintained. All employees and volunteers are required to sign an agreement regarding this issue.

The following staff continues to be directly involved with the program.

a) Linda Ciolfi, LICSW, Director of Program Services

Ms. Ciolfi provides overall management of the program and direct supervision to the Coordinator of Adult Advocacy, the Adult Advocacy Case Manger, the Advocate Coordinator, and the Adult Clinical program staff. She has over twenty-five years experience in treating trauma survivors and has been on staff at Day One since 1992. As the Director of Program Services, she is responsible for the Adult Clinical Program, the Prevention Education Program, the Adult Advocacy Program, and the RI Children's Advocacy Center.

b) Christine Holmes, LICSW, Director of Children Services

Ms. Holmes is responsible for the management of the comprehensive array of services that Day One provides to child victims of sexual abuse and other violent crimes. She provides overall management of the clinical and advocacy services for children. A graduate of Rhode Island College School of Social Work, she joined the staff of Day One in March 2002. She has extensive experience in the area of childrenÕs services.

c) Jeanine Alvarez, Advocate Coordinator

Ms. Alvarez manages the Volunteer Advocate program. She recruits, trains and supervises all volunteer advocates. She joined Day OneÕs staff in July 2003. She was previously employed with the Massachusetts Department of Social Services and the Arizona Supreme Court.

d) Melissa England, Coordinator of Adult Advocacy Services

Ms. England is responsible for the coordination of all adult advocacy services including the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART.) She also serves as a Victim Advocate for the Sex Offender Unit at the RI Department of Corrections. As the Victim Advocate, Ms. England provides emotional support, information and referrals to victims of sexual assault referred by the Department of Corrections. Prior to joining Day OneÕs staff in 2003, she was the Program Coordinator for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivors Services Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

e) Carly Rivers, Adult Advocacy Case Manager

Ms. Rivers provides case management and advocacy (including legal advocacy) services to victims of sexual violence through the SART program. She has a BachelorÕs degree in Sociology from the University of Rhode Island. Prior to joining Day OneÕs staff in June 2003, she served as an intern in the Superior Court Adult Probation Office.

f) Korina Ramsland, Intake Manager

Ms. Ramsland is responsible for taking intake information on all new referrals, providing crisis intervention and support as necessary, and scheduling appointments. She previously worked at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center before joining the staff at Day One in May 2003.

g) Clinical Therapists (Adult and Child/Adolescent Clinicians)

Three full-time therapists, the Director of ChildrenÕs Services, and the Director of Program Services provide counseling services to victims of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and to non-offending family members.

h) Support Staff

A support staff person is responsible for directing crisis intervention calls during office hours (9:00am to 5:00pm) and directing them to the appropriate staff and/or volunteer advocates. In the absence of the Intake Manager, she takes requests for counseling and other services. She also provides clerical support to program staff involved in this project

What is our challenge?

Sexual violence is a serious threat to the health and well being of people in Rhode Island. A recent study done by the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 18% of all women and 3% of all men surveyed said they had experienced a completed or attempted rape at some time in their lives.

The data from this nationally recognized survey was localized for each state. In Rhode Island, the survey indicated that one in eight women had experienced a sexual assault. Day One, in partnership with the RI Department of Health, released the results of the survey this past year. The release of these disturbing statistics resulted in extensive media coverage and a high level of interest among stakeholders throughout the state.

The study also identified juveniles as the population at greater risk of sexual assault. More than half of the female rape victims identified by the survey were under 18 years of age when they experienced their first rape. The survey also provided evidence of a link between sexual assault as a minor and subsequent sexual assault as an adult: 18% of the women who reported being raped before the age of 18 said that they were also raped after the age of 18, compared with 9% of the women who did not report being raped before the age of 18.

The survey found that violence against women is predominantly partner violence. Of the women who reported being raped or physically assaulted, three-quarters were victimized by a current or former husband, cohabiting partner, date, or boyfriend.

Survey responses indicate that one in three women who were injured during a rape or physical assault required medical care. The report recommends that medical professionals should receive comprehensive training of the physical consequences of violence against women, and appropriate treatment strategies.

The number of rapes in Rhode Island is 12% higher than the national average at 36.9 per 100,000 people. In 2002, the total number of rapes reported to Rhode Island police departments was 394, (from the Uniform Crime Reporting Unit of the RI State Police). However, we believe that under-reporting remains a major problem.

In 2003, a total of 3,004 individuals accessed Day OneÕs advocacy services including legal advocacy, training and accompaniment to hospitals and/or police stations. Volunteer advocates responded to 281 requests from victims to meet them either at the hospital or at the police stations, a 10% increase over the previous year. Day One staff also provided trainings for professionals and community groups to a total of 2,617 individuals, a 19% increase over the previous year.

One of the most difficult decisions victims of all crimes face is whether or not to report the crime to law enforcement. Many victims fear the criminal justice process and are concerned that they will be re-victimized by the system. Often the prolonged processes within the criminal justice system serve to inhibit the healing process. Consequently, victims may become frustrated and unable to go forward with their case. Those who do enter into the process are confronted with the complex and bewildering maze of interviews, court proceedings, and directives with little explanation or consideration of what they are experiencing. They may have to repeat their account of the crime several times as they work their way through the criminal justice process. Likewise, the significant persons in a victimÕs life may suffer because of the lack of information and support they receive during the criminal justice process.

SART provides more support for victims and makes the process much less complicated by using a multi-disciplinary approach (similar to that of the ChildrenÕs Advocacy Center) to cases. The team, comprised of Day One staff, law enforcement, and the Department of the Attorney General reviews cases for appropriate action to be taken. Referrals for the program may come from police, Helpline Advocates, school personnel, Law Enforcement Advocates, mental health workers, hospital personnel, or victims themselves. Day One staff may be present at the time the victim gives their statement to police. In addition, they follow the case through the criminal justice process, providing support to victims and their families as well as any needed follow-up services. Advocates can also be present at all court proceedings to provide additional support.

This program is offered statewide to all police departments. This year, services have been provided to 83 victims, an 80% increase over the previous year. The response from both the police departments and victims who have utilized SART has been very favorable. Most importantly, victims feel supported in the often overwhelming process of the criminal justice system.

In order for effective advocacy to occur for victims, systematic issues as well as individual issues must be addressed. In an effort to create positive systemic changes in Rhode Island, staff is involved in several groups. This year, Day One's Director of Childen's Services served on DCYF's Promising Practices Committee for the federal government review. Day One staff members also participate on the following committees: the VictimsÕ Service Providers Steering Committee, the Violence Against Women Law Enforcement Training Committee, the Violence Against Women Network, the Kent County Hospital Task Force, and the Coordinating Council for the Law Enforcement Advocacy Project.

During 2003, the Victims of Crime Helpline received 2,805 calls, of which approximately 24% (or 673 calls) involved issues of sexual assault, child sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. The Helpline continues to provide outreach services to victims of hate crimes and works closely with the Office of Victim Services to provide appropriate services to victims of all crimes.

In 2003, Day OneÕs Clinical Program provided direct services to 699 individuals. Of these, 390 received individual or group counseling services (144 adults and 246 children), 280 received psycho-educational services through the Prison Program, and the remaining 29 individuals received information and referral services only. Eighty-two clients participated in the Building Bridges program and the Rural Outreach Project, which serves women and children who have been victims of violence and who reside in rural communities.

Of the clients receiving clinical services, 82% were female and 18% were male. Sixty-five percent were adults, and 35% were children. Approximately 27% were minorities.

To ensure that our services are accessible to Rhode Island's Hispanic non-English speaking community, Day One employs a Bilingual (English/Spanish) Clinical Therapist. She provides counseling and advocacy services to child victims of sexual abuse and their non-offending family members. She also provides counseling to children who have lost a loved one to homicide through Common Threads, Day One's homicide bereavement program.

Our ability to employ a full-time Intake Manager gives our clinical therapists more time to provide direct services to victims. Without a full-time Intake Manager, each of these clinicians would have to devote a good portion of their work time to managing their own individual waiting lists and providing assistance to those in periodic crisis as they waited for counseling. Having an Intake Manager allows us to respond to the needs of clients in a much more expedient and effective fashion.

We continue to experience an increasingly larger number of clients who are without insurance or other health benefits. The local mental health centers previously provided services to many of these clients but, unfortunately, they can no longer afford to provide the treatment.

Other clients come to us for treatment because of our expertise in the areas of sexual assault and child sexual abuse, and because public awareness efforts have led them to us. Our clinical services program has experienced an increase in the number of clients who are requiring more long-term intensive treatment, as well. Many of our clients come to us after attempting treatment with therapists less skilled in these issues Ð some preferring to remain on the waiting list for a time, rather than seek treatment elsewhere.

Both individual and group treatment is provided at Day One. We are currently accepting referrals for the following groups: Adult Female Survivors of Sexual Assault Group; Adults Molested as Children Group; Adolescent Female Survivors Group (for adolescent girls age 13-17); Child Survivor's Support Group (coed group for children ages 8-12); Non-Offending Caregivers Group; Parent Information and Support Group; and a Peer Support Group for Foster Parents. Other groups are offered as the demand dictates.

We continue to offer counseling services to victims of hate crimes. A hate crime is a bias incident that occurs when an individual is targeted for physical assault, threats, intimidation or harassment, at least in part because they are a member, or perceived to be a member of a particular race, color, religion, ethnic background, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability status. In 2002, there were 39 hate crimes reported to police in Rhode Island.

Victims of hate crimes face the same issues as victims of other violent crimes. They often experience symptoms of depression and anxiety that can be long lasting. In addition, the incident may often cause an identity crisis. It can rekindle oneÕs sense of being different, and may be perceived as a punishment.

What is our action plan?

Day One seeks to address the following critical, on-going issues/needs concerning victims of sexual assault through the proposed project:

a) Victims of sexual assault frequently fail to seek medical attention or police assistance due to their perceptions that these systems will be unresponsive or too difficult to deal with.

b) Victims of sexual assault often lack adequate preparation and support to deal effectively with the criminal justice process.

c) Victims of sexual assault often benefit from professional counseling in dealing with the trauma associated with the crime.

d) Special victim populations are often unable, or reluctant, to access appropriate services due to lack of awareness of their availability (due to cultural/language differences) and prejudicial attitudes and bias toward certain populations (racial and ethnic minorities, gay men and lesbian survivors, the disabled, and male survivors of sexual abuse.)

In an effort to ensure that Day One's services are easily accessible to individuals and families in outlying areas of the state, we have begun providing counseling and advocacy services at satellite sites. We will continue to do this whenever possible.

Day One is committed to using volunteers to provide crisis-intervention and advocacy services to victims of sexual assault. To provide these services effectively, volunteers must have up-to-date information on sexual assault and child sexual abuse, the criminal justice system, and the needs of victims from specific populations.

Training for Day OneÕs volunteer advocates include:

a) Initial Training

All volunteers providing direct services successfully complete the 36-hour training provided through the Network to End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. We have increased the number of annual training sessions from three to five per year in an effort to recruit more volunteers and make trainings more convenient for prospective volunteers.

The training provides information regarding:

• victimization issues - such as trauma impact, medical needs, and emotional needs
• the Rhode Island criminal justice system -including medical and other evidence collection, police concerns, court procedures
• concerns of special populations - the elderly, children, male victims, developmentally disabled victims, ethnic/cultural groups, victims of hate crimes
• appropriate referrals for services
• development of peer-counseling and advocacy skills

Training sessions are supplemented by provision of a written manual that includes information on all topics covered in the training, plus an up-to-date referral list. Manuals are updated annually. Prior to being accepted into the training, volunteers are screened by the Advocate Coordinator. Volunteers must also pass a written test and post-training interview before being accepted for direct service work.

b) In-service sessions

In-service trainings for Day One volunteers are held throughout the year. At least four of these sessions provide training on specific issues related to sexual assault, sexual abuse, hate crimes, and other violent crimes, such as working with special populations (male victims, the elderly, adult survivors of child sexual abuse, teen dating violence, gay/lesbian survivors, the developmentally disabled, and children), the criminal justice process and medical concerns of victims. Other in-service sessions provide opportunities for volunteers to receive group supervision related to problematic calls, and to be given updates on agency programs and services.

c) Individual Training

Volunteer performance is monitored and evaluated by the Advocate Coordinator through a review of submitted paperwork and follow-up telephone or in-person contact. The Advocate Coordinator contacts all volunteers on a regular basis to provide individual supervision. In addition a peer support meeting is held once every three months in different locations throughout the state.

d) Newsletter/written updates

The Coordinator of Adult Advocacy Services contributes informational articles on sexual assault and child sexual abuse issues, and other issues related to criminal victimization, as well as agency updates, to the bi-monthly Network newsletter for volunteers.

To increase the number of active volunteers, the Advocate Coordinator has begun to conduct more intensive outreach to corporations, community organizations, minority groups, and local churches. During 2004, we assessed ways to increase utilization of our volunteer advocates, particularly male advocates (we currently have 5.)

Day One provides training on sexual assault issues for members of police departments, hospital personnel, and other professionals who provide direct services to victims. Held throughout the year, these sessions also serve to promote interagency collaboration and cooperation in providing services to victims of all crime.

Day One continues to increased outreach efforts and training to police stations. We continue to utilize regional trainings to increase accessibility for police officers. In addition, Day One will host a series of three trainings on child sexual abuse designed for social workers, psychologists, DCYF workers, and mental health counselors. We continue to offer other trainings throughout the year.

Outreach to victims of crime continues to be made through a public relations program, which includes public service announcements, press releases, and promotional brochures. Through information obtained from the Victims of Crime Helpline, police departments and the Attorney GeneralÕs Office, follow-up contact is made with victims who have become involved with the criminal justice process. Information is provided on procedures, victimsÕ options, how to access victims compensation benefits, and Day One services.

Increased outreach to the Hispanic community is conducted to ensure that the Hispanic community is aware of services at Day One, the Bilingual Clinical Therapist reaches out to community groups, social service organizations serving Hispanics, and churches. She continues to provide education and information at health fairs and prevention education workshops. Most of Day One's forms, brochures and informational packets are translated into Spanish.

On-going advocacy within the criminal justice system is provided through the Sexual Assault Response Team

a) For those victims of sexual assault who desire Day One services, ongoing advocacy and support is provided throughout the entire criminal justice process. This advocacy and support includes assistance in dealing with other agencies, information and preparation for judicial proceedings, the presence of Day One staff at the time of a victimÕs statement to police, referrals to other agencies as needed, and referral to counseling services.

b) Specific services is offered depending on the specific needs and requests of individual victims. These services may include in-person or telephone meetings with victims to provide information about the criminal justice system and to provide emotional support throughout the criminal justice process.

c) Day One serves as a liaison with police, prosecutors, Victim Witness Program, Office of Victim Services and other agencies as needed in order to provide sufficient information for victims concerning the criminal case and to ensure that the rights of the victim are maintained throughout the entire process.

d) Victims are provided with education concerning the steps in the criminal justice process and preparation for judicial proceedings. A variety of methods are used to assist victims in this preparation, including individual and group meetings, written materials, and video presentations. Visits to court prior to testimony are arranged through collaborative work with the Victim Witness Assistance Program of the Department of the Attorney General.

e) Victims are provided with information regarding the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act and the Violent Crime Indemnity fund. Information includes eligibility requirements and filing procedures.

Day One clinical staff provides on-going solution-focused therapy and crisis intervention to child and adult victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, hate crimes and other forms of violence. Therapy groups are provided on an as-needed basis for victims of sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse and for non-offending parents.

All staff provides services to clients with a range of ability to pay for service. All staff have some clients seen in crisis intervention at no fee, some who can pay only at the lowest level of our sliding scale, and some with third-party coverage. Therapists do not refuse service to clients based on ability to pay. Therapists also provide collateral, non-billable services to clients outside the therapy hour. Collateral services include telephone contact with adult and adolescent clients in crisis or in need of supportive interventions between scheduled therapy sessions, contact with family members of child and adolescent clients, written evaluations for use in court, and contacts with other service providers to coordinate responses to client needs.

MANAGEMENT PLAN

The services and activities outlined in this project is carried out under the management of the Executive Director, the Director of Program Services and the Director of Children Services.

The Director of Program Services supervises the Coordinator of Adult Advocacy, the Adult Advocacy Case Manager, the Advocate Coordinator, the Intake Manager, clinical staff providing services to adult victims, and support staff. These individuals meet on a regular basis with the Director of Program Services to review and evaluate the progress of each program. This is accomplished through weekly supervision and written reports.

The Director of ChildrenÕs Services provides supervision to the childrenÕs clinician.

For more information contact:
Lauara A. Pisaturo, Esq., Program Director
Sexual Assault Victim Assistance
Day One
Sexual Assault & Trauma Center of Rhode Island
100 Medway
StreetProvience, Rhode Island 02906
Telephone: (401) 421-4100
Web Page: www.dayoneri.org
E-Mail: info@DayOneRI.org