Victim of Crime Advocacy Services
We are the Portage County Rape Crisis Center, serving victims of any violent crime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All services for victims of crime are free and confidential.
Victim of Crime Advocacy (VOCA)
Our advocates are dedicated to supporting clients and have specialized training in supporting survivors of violent crime. They make sure that you are heard and believed. Advocates are available 24/7 to provide education on your options and resources as a survivor, and also just to listen.
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24-Hour Crisis Helpline: 988 or 330-678-HELP (4357)
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Professional Crisis Intervention Specialists provide support, education and resources.
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24-Hour Advocacy
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We provide in person support, education and resources in community hospitals and police stations.
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Legal Support
Our advocates are knowledgeable on ways to legally protect oneself and can provide comfort during court hearings. Our advocates offer the following for legal support: ​
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Referrals and assistance with protection orders.
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Accompaniment to court for criminal justice proceedings.
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Assistance with Safe at Home address confidentially program.
Victim of Crime Counseling
Our mental health counselors specialize in working with victims of crime. They provide a safe environment to help process your thoughts and feelings, reduce stress and help you cope with how the crime has changed your life. These services are free and confidential.
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Individual Counseling and Group Counseling
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Victims of crime
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Survivors of trauma, sexual assault or abuse
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Anxiety
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Depression
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Relationship issues
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Stress management
Group to Grow Support Group
There’s always room to grow, so how about a group on that concept? This support group is offered weekly for woman-identifying survivors affected by sexual violence. Group to Grow is is held WEEKLY at our Ravenna location on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
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This group is facilitated by two victim services advocates, Sarah Vaughan and Mallen Rush. Any inquires about the group can be sent to Sarah Vaughan (sarahv@townhall2.com) or Mallen Rush (malleng@townhall2.com).
Rainbow After the Rain Support Group
The Rainbow After the Rain is an LGBTQIA+ support group with a mission to redefine joy after experiencing trauma. You may already know what the concept of “coming out” is, but did you know that a queer person often comes out numerous times throughout their life?
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Think about it: job interviews, medical appointments, or just simply meeting new people, LGBTQIA+ individuals often find themselves having to reintroduce every personal part of themselves and then must be at the mercy of parties that may not always be receptive of that. This unreceptiveness can show itself in name calling, slurs, threats and sometimes even physical violence - and these are just a few examples of possible queer trauma. LGBTQIA+ people also experience non-queer related traumas, and the hope of this group is that it can become a safe place to discuss these traumatic experiences without the worry of being judged for simply being their authentic selves.
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Are you an ally just wanting to attend to learn or participate in the group’s theme of redefining joy? Not quite sure of your gender or your sexuality? You’re just as welcome in this space. The rain may symbolize the traumas LGTBQIA+ people are exposed to for just being themselves in a heteronormative society, but any experienced trauma still falls under the cloud’s umbrella.
Anyone aged 18+ is welcome to attend this group every Thursday 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at our Kent offices at 155 North Water Street, in the upstairs meeting room.
If you have any questions please contact Mallen at malleng@townhall2.com.
Portage County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
Townhall II team members lead a coalition of agencies that serve sexual assault survivors through a variety of multidisciplinary services. Team members can include, but are not limited to, victim advocates, law enforcement officers, forensic medical examiners and prosecutors. The SART works together to ensure that the county has guidelines and protocols in place that prioritize victims’ needs, hold offenders accountable and promote safety and support. The Portage County SART is committed to educating the county on all available services including intervention and prevention of sexual violence and coordinating services.
Safety Plans
We use safety plans when we feel that a client wants to know how they can be safe in a violent situation. They are used primarily for domestic violence/intimate partner violence clients, but can be used for other victimizations like stalking. Each safety plan is unique, so that it can best adapt to the situation and the people in it. No matter how many safety precautions you take, you can never completely eliminate risk. However, taking steps to reduce risk helps provide emotional comfort for clients. The safety plan can address issues of concern for the client and advocate. It’s important for safety planning to be collaborative since the advocate brings the knowledge of actual safety planning and area resources, while the client brings the experience of their own situation, unique needs, safety risks and life circumstances. However, it is not mandatory for it to be completed together. Safety planning can be done when the client is choosing to stay in an abusive relationship, when the client is deciding to leave an abusive relationship, or when a client has left, but still faces safety concerns from an abusive ex-partner. Safety plans can be long or short term, complex or brief and written or unwritten.
Police Packets
These packets are provided free of charge and include information about various Townhall II services and other area resources. Police departments throughout Portage County that utilize this program are encouraged to provide packets to citizens who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence or intimate partner violence, stalking and/or human trafficking. Packets can be requested by emailing Arissa Shupe at arissas@townhall2.com.