• hope •
Strength
Providing advocacy, counseling and support to survivors of crime.
Support, Advocacy & Resource Center
509-374-5391
The Support, Advocacy & Resource Center (SARC) offers services to all community members in Benton and Franklin counties in Washington State. We provide 24-hour client services for victims of crime, including: sexual violence, human trafficking, physical assault, homicide, gang violence, identity theft, elder abuse, harassment; in addition to offering preventive education and awareness. SARC also seeks to identify gaps in services and works with the community to find solutions.
Crisis Program
SARC is here to help you. SARC is available 24 hours a day to assist anyone who has questions or concerns regarding crime victimization. SARC services are free of charge and are confidential. Please call SARC at 374-5391 for information or to access the following services:
Crisis Line: SARC advocates are available 24 hours a day to answer questions, or if you just need someone to listen. This line also serves as a point of contact for clients who may need immediate emergency assistance.
Crisis Intervention: Our advocates provide short-term crisis intervention to clients. Advocates provide information, support, and validation for the client's feelings.
Legal and Medical Advocacy: Our agency staff and trained volunteer advocates respond to hospital calls to provide medical advocacy for victims of sexual assault. We also provide legal advocacy at police interviews and court proceedings. Moral support and information are given to victims, families and friends.
On site Counseling/Therapy Referrals: We can assist our clients in the process of finding a counselor who has experience working with survivors. We also have information regarding payment options such as sliding fee scales, medical coupons, and crime victim's compensation. In addition, SARC provides financial support to clients who would not otherwise be able to seek professional mental health care.
Library: SARC has an extensive library containing a multitude of resources (including books and videos) which relate to sexual violence. The library is available to all members of the community.
Prevention Program
SARC believes that awareness, information and prevention are key in our quest to create a community without violence. Our Prevention Program is proactive and seeks to create social change in our community.
School Programs:
All presentations are offered in an age-appropriate manner and are directed toward the prevention of sexual violence.
K-2 Program-Safe Bodies Healthy Minds:
Day 1: Recognizing Feelings and Steps to Calm Down Strong Feelings
Day 2: Respecting Boundaries in Self and Others.
Day 3: Sunshine Puppet Theater-Teaching the Skills of the Yell and Tell Safety Rule.
3rd and 4th Grade Program-Personal Body Safety:
Day 1: Respect and Treating Others the Way You Want to be Treated
Day 2: Learning Assertive Steps
Day 3: Personal Body Safety with the video, “The Courage to Tell: Now I Can Tell My Secret.”
5th Grade Program-Personal Body Safety:
Day 1: Learning Assertive Steps
Day 2: Recognizing Bullying Behavior and the Three R’s of Bullying
Day 3: Personal Body Safety with the video, “The Courage to Tell: Now I Can Tell My Secret.”
Technology Safety Program:
Day 1: Introduction to Internet Safety Using the NetSmartz Curriculum
Day 2: Understanding Personal Information and Ways to Remain Private Online
Day 3: How to Recognize and Avoid Being Cyber bullied
Harassment and Bullying Prevention:
Day 1: Avoiding Bullying
Day 2: Sexual Harassment
Day 3: Bully Bystanders
Creating Healthy Relationships (High School Only):
Day 1: Creating Healthy Relationships
Day 2: Date/Acquaintance Rape Prevention
Day 3: In Their Shoes Activity and Discussion
Special Projects:
Our Prevention Program continually looks for innovative ways to increase the community's awareness of sexual violence and to motivate our community to become involved in the fight against sexual abuse.
Little Hearts Project: Each year SARC showcases little wooden, three dimensional, figurines that represent the number of child abuse cases that were investigated in Benton/Franklin counties, for that particular year. These "Little People" are put on display during Sexual Assault Awareness Week" in a variety of places throughout the community. This year, approximately 500 children will be on display.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month/Child Abuse Prevention Month/Crime Victim's Rights Week: SARC organizes a variety of activities to honor survivors during these special times; which occurs on an annual basis in April. The purpose of this time is to not only raise the awareness of sexual violence, but to also mobilize the community in the fight to end sexual assault.
Sexual Harassment Intervention Program: This is an educational program for students who have a charge/complaint of sexual harassment against them by another student or teacher. The student is solely responsible for scheduling their own appointments. The program consists of three one-hour sessions and a two-page typed paper. Information covered includes the definition of sexual harassment, victims (male and female), Impact vs. Intent, boundaries and gender stereotyping. A final paper is submitted to the school principal and SARC as a part of our follow-up.
Clothesline Project: During Sexual Assault Awareness Week SARC displays t-shirts that have been designed by survivors of sexual violence. Designing these shirts is therapeutic for clients as it provides an avenue to express their emotions. Displaying the shirts increases awareness in our community.
Newsletter: SARC develops and distributes a quarterly newsletter that discusses information pertaining to sexual violence, information on local sex offenders, community events, and provides a forum for individuals to voice their experience surrounding sexual violence.
Kids Haven
Kids Haven is a joint effort between SARC and our local city and county governments. It is a program designed to meet the needs of children who have allegedly been physically and/or sexually abused.
The goal of Kids Haven is multi-faceted:
Lessen the trauma to children when they disclose abuse: It is difficult for children to discuss the details of their abuse. It can be made even more difficult by going to a police station, courthouse or office that can even intimidate adults. Our center is a very child friendly facility designed to make the child feel as comfortable as possible.
When the child is interviewed, detectives, CPS workers and prosecutors all have the ability to observe the interview through a one-way mirror. This reduces the need for multiple interviews. Thus, the child does not need to relive the abuse multiple times to a variety of people in an assortment of settings.
Holding more offenders accountable: By having neutral, quality interviews, a higher number of child abusers are being convicted. The already small chance that someone may be wrongly charged is also reduced.
Offer comprehensive services to children and their non-offending family members: Child abuse is a horrific crime. Children and their non-offending family members deserve to receive services to assist them in the healing process. Benton and Franklin County Prosecuting Attorneys provide Victim Witness Coordinators to meet with the parents to explain the legal process. SARC offers support and advocacy and explains the many services we provide. Therapy referrals are also provided.
Structure:
The Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is responsible for the employment and supervision of the Child Interviewer and the financial administration related to this function. SARC is responsible for the employment and supervision of the Kids Haven Coordinator and the financial administration related to this position.
Crisis Program
SARC is here to help you. SARC is available 24 hours a day to assist anyone who has questions or concerns regarding crime victimization. SARC services are free of charge and are confidential. Please call SARC at 374-5391 for information or to access the following services:
Crisis Line: SARC advocates are available 24 hours a day to answer questions, or if you just need someone to listen. This line also serves as a point of contact for clients who may need immediate emergency assistance.
Crisis Intervention: Our advocates provide short-term crisis intervention to clients. Advocates provide information, support, and validation for the client's feelings.
Legal and Medical Advocacy: Our agency staff and trained volunteer advocates respond to hospital calls to provide medical advocacy for victims of sexual assault. We also provide legal advocacy at police interviews and court proceedings. Moral support and information are given to victims, families and friends.
On site Counseling/Therapy Referrals: We can assist our clients in the process of finding a counselor who has experience working with survivors. We also have information regarding payment options such as sliding fee scales, medical coupons, and crime victim's compensation. In addition, SARC provides financial support to clients who would not otherwise be able to seek professional mental health care.
Library: SARC has an extensive library containing a multitude of resources (including books and videos) which relate to sexual violence. The library is available to all members of the community.
Prevention Program
SARC believes that awareness, information and prevention are key in our quest to create a community without violence. Our Prevention Program is proactive and seeks to create social change in our community.
School Programs:
All presentations are offered in an age-appropriate manner and are directed toward the prevention of sexual violence.
K-2 Program-Safe Bodies Healthy Minds:
Day 1: Recognizing Feelings and Steps to Calm Down Strong Feelings
Day 2: Respecting Boundaries in Self and Others.
Day 3: Sunshine Puppet Theater-Teaching the Skills of the Yell and Tell Safety Rule.
3rd and 4th Grade Program-Personal Body Safety:
Day 1: Respect and Treating Others the Way You Want to be Treated
Day 2: Learning Assertive Steps
Day 3: Personal Body Safety with the video, “The Courage to Tell: Now I Can Tell My Secret.”
5th Grade Program-Personal Body Safety:
Day 1: Learning Assertive Steps
Day 2: Recognizing Bullying Behavior and the Three R’s of Bullying
Day 3: Personal Body Safety with the video, “The Courage to Tell: Now I Can Tell My Secret.”
Technology Safety Program:
Day 1: Introduction to Internet Safety Using the NetSmartz Curriculum
Day 2: Understanding Personal Information and Ways to Remain Private Online
Day 3: How to Recognize and Avoid Being Cyber bullied
Harassment and Bullying Prevention:
Day 1: Avoiding Bullying
Day 2: Sexual Harassment
Day 3: Bully Bystanders
Creating Healthy Relationships (High School Only):
Day 1: Creating Healthy Relationships
Day 2: Date/Acquaintance Rape Prevention
Day 3: In Their Shoes Activity and Discussion
Special Projects:
Our Prevention Program continually looks for innovative ways to increase the community's awareness of sexual violence and to motivate our community to become involved in the fight against sexual abuse.
Little Hearts Project: Each year SARC showcases little wooden, three dimensional, figurines that represent the number of child abuse cases that were investigated in Benton/Franklin counties, for that particular year. These "Little People" are put on display during Sexual Assault Awareness Week" in a variety of places throughout the community. This year, approximately 500 children will be on display.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month/Child Abuse Prevention Month/Crime Victim's Rights Week: SARC organizes a variety of activities to honor survivors during these special times; which occurs on an annual basis in April. The purpose of this time is to not only raise the awareness of sexual violence, but to also mobilize the community in the fight to end sexual assault.
Sexual Harassment Intervention Program: This is an educational program for students who have a charge/complaint of sexual harassment against them by another student or teacher. The student is solely responsible for scheduling their own appointments. The program consists of three one-hour sessions and a two-page typed paper. Information covered includes the definition of sexual harassment, victims (male and female), Impact vs. Intent, boundaries and gender stereotyping. A final paper is submitted to the school principal and SARC as a part of our follow-up.
Clothesline Project: During Sexual Assault Awareness Week SARC displays t-shirts that have been designed by survivors of sexual violence. Designing these shirts is therapeutic for clients as it provides an avenue to express their emotions. Displaying the shirts increases awareness in our community.
Newsletter: SARC develops and distributes a quarterly newsletter that discusses information pertaining to sexual violence, information on local sex offenders, community events, and provides a forum for individuals to voice their experience surrounding sexual violence.
Kids Haven
Kids Haven is a joint effort between SARC and our local city and county governments. It is a program designed to meet the needs of children who have allegedly been physically and/or sexually abused.
The goal of Kids Haven is multi-faceted:
Lessen the trauma to children when they disclose abuse: It is difficult for children to discuss the details of their abuse. It can be made even more difficult by going to a police station, courthouse or office that can even intimidate adults. Our center is a very child friendly facility designed to make the child feel as comfortable as possible.
When the child is interviewed, detectives, CPS workers and prosecutors all have the ability to observe the interview through a one-way mirror. This reduces the need for multiple interviews. Thus, the child does not need to relive the abuse multiple times to a variety of people in an assortment of settings.
Holding more offenders accountable: By having neutral, quality interviews, a higher number of child abusers are being convicted. The already small chance that someone may be wrongly charged is also reduced.
Offer comprehensive services to children and their non-offending family members: Child abuse is a horrific crime. Children and their non-offending family members deserve to receive services to assist them in the healing process. Benton and Franklin County Prosecuting Attorneys provide Victim Witness Coordinators to meet with the parents to explain the legal process. SARC offers support and advocacy and explains the many services we provide. Therapy referrals are also provided.
Structure:
The Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is responsible for the employment and supervision of the Child Interviewer and the financial administration related to this function. SARC is responsible for the employment and supervision of the Kids Haven Coordinator and the financial administration related to this position.