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Child Visitation and Exchange Center

Volunteer Opportunities

Protection From Abuse Orders and Stalking Orders in Kansas

Home

Support Groups

Child Visitation and Exchange Center

Volunteer Opportunities

Protection From Abuse Orders and Stalking Orders in Kansas

We at Sexual Assault – Domestic Violence Center are here to provide confidential, non-judgmental support to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and their families and friends. We have been serving Reno, McPherson, Rice, Kingman, Harper, and Marion Counties for many years.

We offer free 24-hour crisis lines and confidential, emotional support to anyone, male or female, whose life has been affected by sexual assault or domestic violence. Our trained staff and volunteer advocates are always available to those in need.

Our trained staff will accompany victims through the medical exam, police questioning, and court appearances. We also offer assistance in filing protection from abuse orders and victim compensation claims. Emergency safe shelter is provided for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children.

We also offer anti-violence curriculums for youth, which include presentations on sexual and domestic violence. Our presentations cover what sexual and domestic violence is and how it affects all of us. We also cover how to best respond to sexual and domestic violence.

We maintain a caring environment for addressing personal issues provided for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and their children. We can offer referrals for legal aid, financial aid, counseling, and inter-agency support services.

What Is Domestic Violence?

Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, financial, and / or sexual. Attacks that often begin as verbal abuse or threats can turn into battery, rape, and even murder. At least 4 million people report incidences of domestic violence every year. Victims can be any age, male or female, single or married, from any social, economic, racial, or ethnic background. Sexual assault not only occurs in urban areas, but also in rural areas.

What Is Sexual Assault and Child Sexual Abuse?

Any unwanted sexual contact imposed upon another person by use of force, fear, manipulation, or coercion. This includes child sexual assault. Child sexual assault is the exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification of another. Child sexual abuse can include non-touching offenses such as exposure to pornography. Statistically, 1 out of every 3 girls, and 1 out of 6 boys, are victims of sexual abuse by the age of 18.

Orientation, Assessment, Referral, Safety (OARS)

Does your partner keep you awake all night so that you will miss your work or classes? Are you involved with the court system due to domestic violence or sexual assault? Are you feeling overwhelmed with the trauma of a rape or sexual assault? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, OARS may be for you.

The OARS program is designed to reduce the employment barrier of domestic violence and sexual assault by enhancing the safety of abused families receiving financial assistance. If your current or former partner calls, harasses, or stalks you at your work or training classes, then the OARS program can help you.

To qualify for the OARS work program, all cash assistance recipients must participate in work activities such as job search, education, and training. If working, looking for a job, or going to school or job training may put you or your family in danger of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, we have help available. Your case manager can place you in a special work program called OARS, where you can find out how to become both safe and employed.

If giving information about the parent of your child may put you or your family in danger of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, we may be able to excuse you from giving us this information.

If you and the OARS advocate determine that OARS is appropriate for you, then you will have taken what’s known as the Family Violence Option. As a survivor, you are entitled to this option. While in OARS, you may choose to participate in one or more of the following activities: safety planning, counseling, support groups, court advocacy, shelter, economic advocacy, and referrals. The OARS program is an individualized component and will be based on your individual needs.

All of the information used for the OARS program is confidential and voluntary. If you decide not to tell us today, you can tell us another day, it’s your choice. Information is kept confidential with SRS. We will only use this information to help develop a plan that gets you a job and helps you support your family without public assistance. We can help you find safety from the abuse. We can help you even if you want to participate in work or child support requirements.

We must report child abuse information to Children and Family Services or a law enforcement agency.

How Am I Being Treated?
These questions may help you identify if you are being abused.

• Do you ever feel like you are walking on eggshells to avoid upsetting your partner?
• Does your partner put you down, call you names, or make you feel bad about yourself?
• Has your partner ever made you do something humiliating or degrading, or embarrassed you in front of others?
• Has your partner intentionally damaged your possessions or threatened to do so?
• Does your partner make all the big decisions and / or control the money?
• Are you afraid that if you left, you would be attacked, harassed, followed, or spied on?
• Has your partner threatened your children, family, friends, or pets?
• Has your partner ever pushed, shoved, slapped, kicked, choked, restrained you physically, or hurt you in any other way?
• Has your partner ever used a weapon to threaten you or threatened to kill you?
• Has your partner forced you to have sex or do sex acts against your will?

Providing Confidential, Non-Judgmental Support When You Need It Most

Hutchinson, KS
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McPherson, KS
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Lyons, KS
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