SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES ORGANIZATION

VICTIM SERVICES: SASO HOTLINE AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES ASSIST VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN THE LONG PROCESS OF RECOVERY FROM A TRAUMATIC VIOLENT CRIME. THESE SERVICES OFTEN ARE THE FIRST, AND PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANT, STEPS TOWARD REDUCING THE TRAUMA OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY TRAINED VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES AND SASO STAFF INCLUDE: 24-HOUR CRISIS INTERVENTION AND COUNSELING; MEDICAL ADVOCACY DURING FNE (FORENSIC NURSE EXAMS); ADVOCACY DURING LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERVIEWS AND COURT PROCEEDINGS; FREE SUPPORT GROUPS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUAL THERAPY AND EMERGENCY NEEDS; AND REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT AGENCIES. IN ADDITION, SASO PROVIDES ON-SITE ADVOCACY TO THE LOCAL SAFEHOUSE, COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS PROGRAM, COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, AND SCHOOLS. METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE PROGRAMS FOLLOW BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES DEVELOPED AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS INCLUDING PRIORITIZING VICTIM SAFETY AND EMPOWERMENT, NOTIFICATION ABOUT VICTIM RIGHTS, AND STRICT ADHERENCE TO VICTIM CONFIDENTIALITY. SASO COLLABORATES WITH 6TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COMMUNITY PROVIDERS SERVING VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE TO CREATE BEST PRACTICE POLICIES FOR PROVIDING SERVICES AND RESPONSE. THROUGH THIS, SASO HAS BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE OUR MEDICAL AND LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAMS, PROVIDING GREATER SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX AND OFTEN CONFUSING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. DURING 2023, SASO SERVED 215 UNDUPLICATED CLIENTS WITH 1,015 VICTIM SERVICES AND 233 REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES. SASO OFFERS A THERAPIST-FACILITATED, FREE, COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUP FOR SURVIVORS. GROUPS AT COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS AND THE JAIL RESUMED AFTER THE PANDEMIC, BUT WERE SUSPENDED AT TIMES DUE TO COVID OUTBREAKS IN FACILITIES. THESE SUPPORT GROUPS ARE FREE OF CHARGE TO PARTICIPANTS SO THAT COST IS NOT A BARRIER TO HEALING. IN 2023, SASO EXPANDED SUPPORT GROUPS TO MALE SURVIVORS AT LA PLATA COUNTY DETENTION CENTER. THESE SERVICES ARE ESSENTIAL SUPPORTS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN OUR COMMUNITY AS WE ARE THE ONLY COMMUNITY-BASED ADVOCACY AGENCY FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE SERVING LA PLATA AND SAN JUAN COUNTIES.