Beginning Thursday, the Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center’s offices will be closed as the center moves locations. In-person services will pause, but the 24-hour call service will remain available.
“We are so sorry for this inconvenience but for us to get ready to serve you in our new office space, we must pack up our old one before the move,” according to a post on the Care Center’s Instagram feed.
The Care Center is relocating from its main office in Lawrence, at 708 W. Ninth St., to 330 Maine St. In-person services are set to resume in December, according to the post.
Until then, the Care Center’s 24/7 phone line, 785-843-8985, will continue to be staffed with advocates ready to help those seeking support.
In addition to a location change, the Care Center is currently going through a leadership change. Chrissy Heikkila, former executive director, left her position in November. Megan Engleman, who joined the center as its director of communications, is now serving as the interim executive director, according to another Instagram post from the center.
The Care Center recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of providing services for survivors as well as facilitating community education and prevention of sexual violence.
Visit stacarecenter.org to learn more about the Care Center and its free services.
Resources for survivors
If you have experienced sexual violence or trauma, please seek the help that’s right for you. There are many options available, and you don’t have to file a police report if you don’t want to.
Get 24/7 help in Lawrence: The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center
- Call 785-843-8985 to reach an advocate, 24/7. (Consider saving that number in your phone in case you or someone you know ever needs it.)
- After an assault: What are my options? Check this page for detailed information about
- talking to an advocate,
- going to the hospital,
- making a police report,
- and/or talking to a counselor or therapist.
- On campus? Check this page for specific resources for the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, Baker University, Ottawa University and more.
Resources on KU’s campus:
- Contact CARE (Campus Assistance, Resource, and Education) Services: KU students can make an appointment online at careservices.ku.edu, by email, care@ku.edu, or by calling 785-864-9255. It’s free, confidential and voluntary to talk with the CARE Coordinator. All genders welcome. Read more here.
- Find more KU campus resources at this link. Specific information about sexual assault exams can be found under the “Medical Care” tab.
- Connect with KU CARE Companions on Instagram. (Note: CARE Companions are KU students in the Panhellenic community that offer peer support and info about resources, but this is not an advocacy service like others listed here.)
Domestic violence situations: The Willow Domestic Violence Center
- Reach the Willow for help 24/7 at 785-843-3333.
- Find more resources on the Willow’s website at this link.
More resources
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: Call 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) for 24/7 safe, confidential and anonymous domestic and sexual violence support for Native Americans and Alaska Natives that is culturally appropriate.
- National hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), text “START” to 88788, and/or visit thehotline.org to chat and learn more, 24/7.
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