Welcome to Voices Of Hope, formerly Rape/Spouse Abuse Crisis Center. We are celebrating our 35th year of providing services in Lincoln!

Voices of Hope's primary focus is on the provision of crisis intervention, advocacy and prevention services for domestic violence, sexual assault and incest. Services are provided to victims and their families. While the majority of the adult victims are women, all of our services except groups are provided to male victims.

In 2008, we received over 13,000 client-related calls.
In 2008, we provided face-to-face services to 2036 unduplicated clients.
In 2008, we helped 223 people fill out protection orders.

Voices of Hope's current programs include the following services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and incest, and their families:

• 24-Hour Crisis Line: 475-7273
  Paid staff and volunteers who have completed 40 hours of training staff this crisis line.
  
  
• Counseling.
  Voices of Hope provides crisis and short term counseling with sensitivity to the issues and concerns of victims and their families. In order to respond to the crisis concerns of victims, drop-in counseling is available 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Additional hours are available for scheduled counseling.
  
  
• Groups.
  Support groups to help adult victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and incest in addition to support groups for children who have witnessed family violence and teens experiencing dating violence and sexual assault are offered on an on-going basis. The groups provide a safe, confidential and supportive environment for victims to discuss their feelings and issues resulting from their own experiences. Childcare is available.
  
  We have two groups available for Spanish-speaking women. We also have a group for African American women called Phenomenal Women.
  
  
  
  
• Advocacy.Advocates will accompany a victim to the hospital and attend interviews with law enforcement 24 hours a day. All three Lincoln hospitals have emergency room protocols that include contacting Voices of Hope's advocate for all sexual assault victims. Voices of Hope is a part of a sexual response team, which includes law enforcement, nurse examiners, prosecutors and Voices of Hope advocates. The hospitals also have developed a screen for domestic violence for all women 16 and over. When a woman's screen is positive, she is offered a Voices of Hope advocate to help with safety planning and to identify services available to her in the community.
  
  Advocates will accompany a victim to court, providing emotional support and information on the criminal justice process. Voices of Hope advocates will assist with filling out protection order forms, filing the petition, developing safety plans and attend hearings with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Follow up with victims on the criminal justice system is available from the incident through probation or parole.
  
  Enhanced 24-hour Advocacy has been implemented with the Lincoln Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff's Department, and University of Nebraska Lincoln Police Department. After a batterer has been jailed, the law enforcement officer coordinating the case will contact an advocate who will then contact the victim either in person or by phone in order to provide support and information prior to the release of the batterer.
  
  
• Resources.
  Basic needs items such as household goods, personal care items, and diapers, are available at Voices of Hope. Friendship Home staff meets with battered women on their waiting list here to discuss shelter options.
  
  
• Community Education and Training.
  Speakers address classrooms, parent groups, civic organizations, church groups and other groups requesting presentations on domestic violence, sexual assault, incest, children witnessing domestic violence and Voices of Hope services. We are currently offering the curriculum "Reaching and Teaching Teens About Violence" in the middle and high schools. Training and training materials are available to community professionals who may be in contact with victims and their families.
  
  
• Voices of Hope is a partner in the Violence Against Women on Campus Grant with UNL.
  This grant allows an advocate from Voices of Hope to serve as a Victim Advocate to students, faculty and staff who are victims of relationship violence, sexual assault and stalking on campus. The Victim Advocate is housed in the Women's Center in the Nebraska Union and is available to provide counseling, assist with protection orders and safety plans and can offer referrals to other resources. Drop-in hours are from 2-6 p.m. on Tuesdays or you can call Marla at 472-0203 to set up an appointment.