JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) – Jacksonville State University (JSU) is expanding their sexual assault services to help anyone who needs it. Their new 24/7 hotline will not only serve students, but neighbors in Calhoun, Cleburne, and Talladega counties as well. Dr. Tina Deshotels at JSU says the new service will help victims respond in a time when they need it the most.
“The organization that provided sexual assault response quit providing those services so we had a gap in the community,” said Deshotels.
With those services no longer available. Dr. Deshotels says that inspired her to go find the money to pay for a 24/7 response service and to partner with neighboring agencies to fill that gap.
“There is still such a strong stigma around that, to where they feel at fault or to blame in some part. They’re just very shameful or feel dirty and they just want to put it behind them,” said Executive Director Krychelle Smith of 2nd Chance Inc.
The service will provide free and confidential support to survivors that includes a crisis hotline, medical and court advocacy, short-term counseling, safe transportation when needed, and more.
“It’s not that it doesn’t happen, that it’s unreported and if the students feel that they have someone there to back them and to support them emotionally and walk them through the process,” said program coordinator Donna English.
Expanding the service to other counties, Dr. Deshotels says victims in both rural and urban communities will now have a voice.
“We want to work closely with the hospitals, we want to work with law enforcement, DA’s office so when we get together with these various community partners, we can make sure there’s no gaps in services,” said Deshotels.
The Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline is now online and available 24 hours, seven days a week. For more information, please call (888) 986-1262.
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