Services | Fair Haven Rape Crisis Center

Direct Services Department

Direct Services Department provides 24-hour Rape Response Services offered to Lake County, IN. This program will provide the sexual assault victim the opportunity to have the support of a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate present prior to and during all medical and legal proceedings and throughout the entire legal and healing process.

If you live in Lake County, IN and are a victim of sexual assault and would like to speak with an advocate, contact our office to make an appointment 219-961-4357 or call our 24-hour line: 219-218-2552.

Information on our weekly support groups:

- - - Tuesday: Work Release Support Group 3pm-4pm (held off site)
    - Wednesday: Curriculum Support Group 10am-11:30pm
    - Thursday: Adolescent Support Group 5pm-6:30pm
    - Friday: SELF Group 1pm-2:30pm

Our Anti-Trafficking Department is a brand-new program that is in the capacity-building stage. Currently, we are available to respond 24/7 to regional hospitals with a Human-Trafficking Victim Advocate. They would be present prior to and during all medical and legal proceedings and throughout the entire legal and healing process. Individual advocacy services are held at our office, where a victim advocate works through an individualized care plan with a trafficking survivor. Additionally, we have a contract with a trauma therapy agency to provide our clients trauma therapy if eligible.

If interested in partnering with us as we build this program, please contact our Anti-Trafficking Coordinator.

Crisis Advocacy Services

What does a Victim Advocate do? Advocates are professionally trained to support victims of sexual assault crimes. We are the continuum in care for victims of sexual assault. We can help navigate the complex waters of the medical and judicial system. We are here to help.

Advocates offer:

- - - Emotional support.
    - Weekly support groups.
    - Individual sessions to develop coping strategies & increase stabalization.
    - Accompaniment during the forensic evidence examination as well as police interviews.
    - Information on crime prevention.
    - Information of a victims legal rights.
    - Support during the criminal justice process.
    - Accompaniment during court proceedings with the victim.
    - Safety planning.
    - Assistance with Victim Compensation paperwork.
    - Community resources and referrals.
    - Confidentiality.

Individual Supportive Counseling

Individual supportive counseling sessions are structured around a recovery goal (self-care, honoring emotions, telling your story, safety in relationships, boundaries, breaking the cycle, etc.) This process allows survivors to move through a self-direction recovery timeline.

Both virtual and chat options are available. Please contact us for more information or click the chat button above and chat with an advocate today.

Trauma Therapy

Fair Haven contracts professional trauma-based therapists to provide Survivors with FREE therapy services. For more information and eligibility requirements, please contact our office.

Teen Support Group

Our Teen Support Group equips participants (ages 12-18) with the tools to overcome the shame & pain of childhood trauma, which decreases the likelihood of involvement with maladaptive coping methods (substance abuse, self-harm, etc.)

Adult Support Group

Our Adult Support Groups provide services to adult women & men ages 19 and older who have experienced sexual, emotional, and/or physical abuse, incest, rape or stalking.

Aspen, Our Emotional Support Animal

Victims of sexual assault are: 3 times more likely to suffer from depression, 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol, 26 times more likely to abuse drugs and 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.

After experiencing a traumatic event, PTSD can become a burden affecting many with: panic attacks, sudden mood swings, difficulty in social settings, and an overall inability to return to life as it was before the assault occurred. In recent years, animal assisted therapy has been shown to provide life-altering advantages to those who struggle with PTSD symptoms.

Therapy dogs are trained to calm someone having an anxiety or panic attack. Aspen, Fair Haven’s Registered and Certified Therapy Dog, has been trained to gently comfort and soothe clients by “hugging” or nestling up to the person by leaning against their leg or lying at/on their feet. She loves unconditionally! When our clients walk through the door, she is immediately happy to see them. Her tail wags and she “smiles” as they approach her. Having her on the greeting committee impacts the victims overall counseling experience.

Working at Fair Haven since she was just 9 weeks old, Aspen has grown into a beautiful four-year-old Great Pyrenees/Golden Retriever weighing 100 pounds. She shares an office space with her handler and our Executive Director, Kelly Vates. When they are not working with clients, they are out in the community spreading awareness and educating others of the long term effects of sexual abuse.