Rape crisis center to implement latino, hispanic programs
Online Exclusive
By: Elisabeth Arriero, Staff Writer
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: City
Two new programs aimed at serving the greater Orange County community were showcased Wednesday at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center open house.
The new programs, a Latino services program and a short-term therapy program, will target Hispanics and low-income individuals, respectively.
"We're very excited about implementing these programs because it means that we will be able to reach more residents in the community," said Michelle Johnson, client services director.
The Latino Services program will provide traditional Rape Crisis Center services in Spanish. These services include support groups, crisis response services and community education programs for adolescents and adults.
"There is a growing number of Latinos in the area and we want to provide services to them in a culturally competent way," said Carolina Alzuru, the Latino services coordinator.
Alzuru said that some traditional Rape Crisis Center services had to be reshaped to acknowledge the cultural differences of Latinos. For instance, immigration status is a very sensitive issue to many Latinos. Alzuru said that many Hispanic rape victims never come forward with information because they are afraid their perpetrator will tell officials about their illegal status.
"We want to make sure that our clients know that their immigration status is not important to us, and they can confide in us," said Alzuru.
Many visitors at the open house Wednesday said they were very excited about the promise of the two new programs.
"Many Hispanics are told to keep quiet about a sexual assault that they have experienced," said visitor Katushka Olave. "This will let them know that they do not have to keep this secret bottled up."
Clarence Birkhead, the Hillsborough police chief, said that the Latino services program could not have come at a better time.
"There is an ever growing need for programs aimed at this group," Birkhead said.
The short-term therapy program will provide therapy from a licensed professional to rape victims and their families at the Rape Crisis Center. The program was created in response to the growing need for therapy among Rape Crisis Center clients. In the past, the center has made referrals to clients seeking therapy.
The crisis center referred 20 percent of its clients to outside therapists in 2005, prompting the center to provide that service itself.
"For many survivors, especially those from a low-income background, it can be difficult to find a therapist who will meet with them," Johnson said. "By having an in-house therapy program, we can better help those certain individuals."
Funding for the two new programs at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center was provided by a two-year grant from the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission.
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
The new programs, a Latino services program and a short-term therapy program, will target Hispanics and low-income individuals, respectively.
"We're very excited about implementing these programs because it means that we will be able to reach more residents in the community," said Michelle Johnson, client services director.
The Latino Services program will provide traditional Rape Crisis Center services in Spanish. These services include support groups, crisis response services and community education programs for adolescents and adults.
"There is a growing number of Latinos in the area and we want to provide services to them in a culturally competent way," said Carolina Alzuru, the Latino services coordinator.
Alzuru said that some traditional Rape Crisis Center services had to be reshaped to acknowledge the cultural differences of Latinos. For instance, immigration status is a very sensitive issue to many Latinos. Alzuru said that many Hispanic rape victims never come forward with information because they are afraid their perpetrator will tell officials about their illegal status.
"We want to make sure that our clients know that their immigration status is not important to us, and they can confide in us," said Alzuru.
Many visitors at the open house Wednesday said they were very excited about the promise of the two new programs.
"Many Hispanics are told to keep quiet about a sexual assault that they have experienced," said visitor Katushka Olave. "This will let them know that they do not have to keep this secret bottled up."
Clarence Birkhead, the Hillsborough police chief, said that the Latino services program could not have come at a better time.
"There is an ever growing need for programs aimed at this group," Birkhead said.
The short-term therapy program will provide therapy from a licensed professional to rape victims and their families at the Rape Crisis Center. The program was created in response to the growing need for therapy among Rape Crisis Center clients. In the past, the center has made referrals to clients seeking therapy.
The crisis center referred 20 percent of its clients to outside therapists in 2005, prompting the center to provide that service itself.
"For many survivors, especially those from a low-income background, it can be difficult to find a therapist who will meet with them," Johnson said. "By having an in-house therapy program, we can better help those certain individuals."
Funding for the two new programs at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center was provided by a two-year grant from the North Carolina Governor's Crime Commission.
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Maria
posted 9/27/07 @ 11:39 AM EST
This is a really positive development on the part of the Orange County Rape Crisis Center. Many people seem to be aware of the growing Hispanic population in the area and yet I feel like there have been very few efforts on the part of the community to adjust to that growth. (Continued…)
Post a Comment