SEXUAL TRAUMA AWARENESS AND RESPONSE CENTER

Each survivor's experience of sexual trauma is different, which may affect how they respond; some survivors may report to law enforcement right away, others may wish to only seek medical care, while a vast majority feel too ashamed or scared to tell anyone. As one of our clients pointed out:

“You never know how important an organization like STAR is until you experience something as unexpected and horrifying as a sexual assault; then, you don't know how you would make it through without them."

The goal of STAR is to provide supportive services to survivors to reduce their experience of trauma. When a survivor makes the decision to come forward and seek help, they are often in a state of heightened anxiety and uncertainty about what they should do. Whether the experience of sexual trauma happened years ago or hours before, STAR provides compassionate and non-judgmental support to help survivors understand their trauma and discuss their options for reporting to the police, seeking medical care and receiving advocacy and counseling services. In the words of a survivor:

“Reaching out for help is both liberating and terrifying...you never know who will believe you or judge you...you don't really know if talking about it will make it worse or better."

Survivors who choose to report their assault to law enforcement and/or receive a forensic medical exam have access to a specially trained advocate who remains by their side as a source of support and encouragement. The complex process of an invasive forensic medical exam and interacting with the criminal justice system can amplify the survivor's experience of trauma. During the course of reporting their assault, a survivor may have to recount their story as many as five times and undergo an invasive medical exam which can take from three (3) to seven (7) hours.

Throughout the weeks and months that follow a report or examination, our advocates remain a source of support, guidance and information for the survivor as she or he navigates the criminal justice system. At the same time, STAR offers survivors individual and group counseling as a way to work through their trauma and move towards healing.

STAR has four distinct programs, or strategies, that help us carry out our mission and vision.

Our advocacy program provides support to survivors through our hotline, accompaniment to hospitals and law enforcement interviews, and case management services.

Our counseling program provides counseling to survivors of sexual assault as well as their loved ones. Furthermore, STAR offers support group services for primary and secondary survivors.

Our legal program offers direct legal representation to survivors through the legal system.

Our community education program offers education to youth and adults on ways to responsibly and effectively prevent and respond to sexual violence.

STAR is governed by a Board of Directors, which are responsible for carrying out the mission and vision of the organization, and overseeing all fiscal, tax and legal compliance for the agency. Each STAR branch has a Regional Council composed of local community members and allies, which provide support in overseeing the operations and fund development for each branch. The staff of STAR includes a leadership team—composed of the President & CEO, Vice-President, Legal Director and Finance Manager—who provide support to local branches and oversee all agency operations. Local branches have Regional Directors and branch staff, which provide direct services to survivors and the community. Finally, STAR relies upon community volunteers to staff our 24/7 hotline after hours, on weekends and during holidays.

Since 2012, STAR has grown from a small organization with two full-time staff members, to an agency that boasts three fully-functioning branches serving survivors throughout Central and South Louisiana. Over the next few years, we plan to continue our growth to meet the ever-expanding need for sexual assault services in our communities.