The Rape Crisis Center

 

The Rape Crisis Center is a program established to help eliminate or reduce the incidence of rape and sexual assault through prevention and education, as well as to provide the coordination of services to victims of rape and sexual assault and to their families and friends.

All services are offered free of charge.

• 24 - hour crisis hotline  601.982.RAPE

• Mental Health Intervention

• Crisis Intervention

• Emergency Shelter

• Long / Short Term Counseling

• Community Awareness

• Court / Law Enforcement Escorts

 

Guardian Sexual Assault Center

 

The Guardian Sexual Assault Center in Natchez provides an array of services to victims of sexual assault.  The program is established to help eliminate or reduce the incidence of rape and sexual assault through prevention and education, as well as providing the coordination of services to victims of sexual assault and to their families and friends. All services are offered free of charge.

24-Hour Crisis Line: 1.888.721.5460

 

For more information, contact Lashannon Butler, Program Director at 601.446.8668.

 

Facts about rape:

• Rape is about violence and control.

• Sex is the weapon.

• Style of dress is not the issue.

• 85% of the time it is someone you know.

• All ages, races, and economic groups are at risk.

• Most rapes are planned.

 

Dealing with families:

• Rape affects family members.

• You may be having very powerful feelings.

• You may feel guilty that you should have protected her.

• You may want to seek revenge against the rapist.

• You may feel angry and betrayed.

• You may direct your anger upon the woman.

• You may wonder if she is really telling the truth.

 

How can you help?

• Communicate to the victim a sense of compassion and acceptance.

• Recognize and accept her feelings as well as your own.

• Be there for her to talk to and provide the support that she needs.

• Try to understand what rape is all about.

• Communicate to her that she is not responsible for being raped.

• These are common feelings.  Do not pretend your feelings are not there.  We are here to talk those feeling over with you.

 

Precautions with Friend and Families:

• Trust your Instincts

• Set verbal and physical limits

• Drink responsibly

• Assert yourself

 

Precautions at Home:

• Trust your instincts

• Keep lights on around home

• Lock all windows and doors

• Use alarm

• Always use peephole

• Request ID of all delivery and repairmen

 

Precautions in Public Places:

• Trust your instincts

• Walk in lighted areas

• Walk assertively

• Have key ready for car or home

• Be alert when alone

• Never accept rides from strangers

• Stay out of arm's reach from bushes while walking

• Awareness of surroundings

 

Precautions in Your Car:

• Trust your instincts

• Lock doors when entering and leaving

• If you have trouble, make a "POLICE" sign and place it in your rear window.  LOCK YOURSELF IN AND WAIT FOR THE POLICE.

• Do not offer to help a stranded motorist (call the Police from the nearest phone.)