The Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center for Pierce County is taking over to help victims in Kitsap County, too.
With the closure of Kitsap Support, Advocacy and Counseling the area has leaned on Rebuilding Hope and Turning Pointe Survivor Advocacy Center for assistance since earlier this year. For nearly 50 years, KSAC provided care, support and advocacy to those affected by sexual assault and abuse.
Following a competitive call, Rebuilding Hope was chosen to step into the critical role. It was selected by the state Department of Commerce Office of Crime Victims Advocacy to serve as Kitsap’s state-accredited Community Sexual Assault Program.
“We are deeply honored to have been selected to serve Kitsap County. Our team is excited to offer victims and survivors across the region with the same enduring compassion and support that we’ve been providing Pierce County since 1972,” executive director Carlyn Sampson said.
In its initial phase, Rebuilding Hope will offer essential services including crisis intervention, information, referrals and general, medical and legal advocacy via its 24/7 Helpline, confidential email and online chat.
The agency is developing partnerships in Kitsap and building its workforce to support in-person advocacy services and responses as soon as possible. Rebuilding Hope is also making strides to expand its services for Kitsap, introducing in-person and virtual therapy options over the next year. To better serve the community, plans are also underway to establish a physical office in Kitsap.
A news release says funding provided by the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy falls short of supporting the full range of services needed by the community. Currently, its Tacoma office faces a waiting list of over four months for survivors and victims seeking sexual assault and abuse-specific therapy services, which it anticipates will grow as new clients are added to the program.
Sampson urged Kitsap residents to lend their support, “so that every victim-survivor in need can access our services without delay.”
To donate or for details go to www.sexualassaultcenter.com.
