At Monsees & Mayer, P.C. our practice involves helping victims of sexual abuse. Our clients must share the most difficult experiences of their lives with us therefore, we wanted to make sure we did everything we could to make them feel safe and secure. We recently underwent trauma-informed training to help us better understand what our clients are going through. One staggering bit of information we learned was that statistically everyone knows someone who has been affected by sexual violence. It may not be a close relative. It could be a friend, of a friend, of a friend, but statistically speaking everyone knows someone. Therefore, we want to make sure everyone is aware of the local crisis centers around them available to help victims of abuse in Missouri & Kansas. This list is not exhaustive and in no specific order. We have also listed some the most common services provided by those crisis centers and a brief explanation of each.
If you do not see a center listed below close to you, or would like to check out other crisis centers, a good resource to use is the “Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network” (RAIINN) website. The website lists local partners throughout each state, the services they provide, contact information and their website addresses.
Common Crisis Center Services
Many crisis centers have unique services they provide. The best way to learn about all the services provided by a center is to call or visit their website. Below is a list of the more common services provided by crisis centers.
- 24 Hour Help/Hotline – Calls are answered 24/7 by qualified trained staff and volunteers.
- Forensic Medical Exams – Exams performed by a professional medical provider, specifically trained in abuse and sexual assault evaluations. Purpose is to ensure the health and safety of the victim/survivor and collect any evidence of abuse or assault.
- Forensic Interviews – An objective, non-leading, age and developmentally appropriate process to allow the victim/survivor to talk about matters of concern in a safe environment.
- Emergency Shelter – Emergency housing and related support are provided, or contacts made on victim/survivor’s behalf.
- Hospital Advocacy – Trained staff and volunteers respond to participating hospitals to provide advocacy, support, and assistance to victims.
- Child & Family Advocacy – Trained advocates provide information, emotional support, assistance, education and intervention for survivors and their families. They also provide ongoing support throughout the legal process.
- Aftercare and Outreach Services – Help the survivor obtain needed services and develop short & long- term resource and safety plans.
- Crime Victims Compensation – Provide help in filing for Crime Victims Compensation Fund benefits. The Crime Victims Compensation Fund is a program established to help victims of violent crimes pay for expenses. These can include medical expenses, lost wages, counseling/therapy, and other costs related to the crime.
- Counseling – Either provide counseling onsite or provide referrals for counseling offsite. May be individual our group counseling.
- Education/Prevention – Provide prevention programs and training on how to recognize and report sexual abuse.
Missouri Crisis Centers
Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA)
Kansas City, MO 64111
Business: 816-931-4527
Hotline: 816-531-0233
Website: http://www.mocsa.org
MOCSA began in 1969 when like-minded individuals from the criminal justice, health, mental health, and other professions came together to advocate for victims of sexual assault. The group incorporated in 1975 and became the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA), now serving adults and children impacted by sexual violence.
MISSION: MOCSA’s mission is to improve the lives of those impacted by sexual abuse and assault and to prevent sexual violence in our community.
Services include:
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- Child & Family Advocacy
- Hospital Advocacy
- Counseling
- Education/Prevention
- Crisis Line
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Child Advocacy Center
Springfield, MO 65806
Business: 417-831-2327
Website: https://childadvocacycenter.org/
The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) was started in 1995 to help children who suffer from sexual abuse. The center was started by a group of concerned professionals and community leaders. Their goal was to create a place where young victims could feel safe. They have created a coordinated process in which all the investigative teams come together to collect and share information thereby reducing the number of times a child must repeat and relive their trauma.
Services include:
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- Child & Family Advocacy
- Forensic Interview
- Forensic Medical Exam
- Counseling
- Education & Prevention
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Citizens Against Domestic Violence/Victim Outreach Center
Camdenton, MO 65020
Business: 573-346-9630
Hotline: 888-809-7233
Website: http://www.cadv-voc.org
The Citizens Against Domestic Violence Organization is a non-profit that was established in 1984. Their purpose is to provide crisis intervention, shelter, advocacy, and support to victims of domestic and sexual violence.
MISSION: Citizens Against Domestic Violence strives to cultivate a culture of resiliency in which individuals experiencing abuse are empowered to thrive. Through advocacy services and community engagement we will pursue an end to violence in the lake area.
Services include:
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- 24 Hour Hotline
- Emergency Shelter
- Hospital Advocacy
- Child & Family Advocacy
- Aftercare and Outreach Services
- Crime Victims Compensation
- Counseling
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Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence (SEMO-NASV)
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Business: 573-332-1900
Hotline: 1-877-820-6278
Website: http://www.semonasv.org
Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence (SEMO-NASV) was formed in 1997 to provide timely and compassionate care of adult and child survivors of sexual violence. They offer advocacy, counseling, and forensic care for survivors of sexual violence in Southeast Missouri.
MISSION: The Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence seeks to be an advocate for those affected by sexual trauma through the coordination of community services to provide professional, compassionate, and timely interventions and education.
Services include:
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- Child & Family Advocacy
- Forensic Medical Exam
- Education and Prevention
- Crisis Hotline
- Counseling-
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True North of Columbia
Columbia, MO 65205
Business: 573-875-0503
Hotline: 1-800-548-2480
Website: http://www.truenorthofcolumbia.org
True North began in the 1970’s when a group of University of Missouri graduate students formed the organization to help rape survivors. It is now a comprehensive domestic and sexual violence victim service program.
MISSION: The goal of True North is to provide all victims with safe housing, advocacy, and support. This advocacy and support may encompass initial contact through continuous counseling, protection, housing assistance and appropriate legal action.
Services include:
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- Emergency Shelter
- Prevention/Education
- Crisis hotline
- Hospital Advocacy
- Child & Family Advocacy
- Counseling
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Ozarks Counseling Center
Springfield, MO 65806
Business: 417-869-9011
Hotline: 417-761-5555
Website: http://ozarkscounselingcenter.org/
Ozarks Counseling Center was originally formed in 1952 as a child guidance clinic. Over the years it has evolved into the center it is today serving clients from all over Southwest Missouri with affordable mental health services.
MISSION: Our mission is to provide mental health services to the community regardless of ability to pay.
Services include:
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- Crisis hotline
- Counseling
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Kansas Crisis Centers
The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center
Lawrence, KS 66044
Business: 785-843-8985
Hotline: 785-843-8985
Website: http://www.stacarecenter.org
The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center was started 1972 to provide support for victims of sexual violence. It was the first rape crisis center in Kansas.
MISSION: The mission of The Sexual Trauma & Abuse Care Center is to promote a culture of consent while providing 24/7 support to anyone affected by sexual trauma and abuse in Douglas, Franklin, and Jefferson counties. The Care Center envisions a community free of sexual trauma & abuse while supporting healing for survivors.
Services include:
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- Crisis Line
- Hospital Advocacy
- Child & Family Advocacy
- Counseling
- Prevention/Education
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DVACK
Salina, KS 67401
Business: 785-827-5862
Hotline: 800-874-1499
Website: http://www.dvack.org
DVACK is an organization started by concerned community members in Salina, Kansas to help serve the needs of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The organization was incorporated in 1980 and now service 10 counties in Kansas.
MISSION: Our mission is to reduce the incidents of domestic violence and sexual offenses and to provide comfort and support to victims through crisis intervention and support services in North-Central Kansas.
Services include:
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- Crisis Line
- Emergency Shelter
- Counseling
- Child & Family Advocacy
- Hospital Advocacy
- Aftercare & Outreach Services
- Prevention/Education
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BrightHouse
Hutchinson, KS 67501
Business: 620-665-3630
Hotline: 800-701-3630
Website: http://brighthouseks.org
Bright House was started in 1976 by a group of concerned citizens in Reno County, Kansas. It was incorporated in 1981 as the “Coalition Against Spousal Abuse”. Throughout the last 45 years the organization underwent many mergers and added additional services.
MISSION: BrightHouse provides confidential, non-judgmental support to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, their families, and friends.
Services include:
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- Crisis Line
- Emergency Shelter
- Counseling
- Child & Family Advocacy
- Hospital Advocacy
- Aftercare & Outreach Services
- Prevention/Education
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Get Help
Sexual abuse is something that must be talked about to be healed. If you or a loved one has been sexually abused or assaulted, please consider contacting a crisis center for the support they offer. When you are ready to seek justice within the civil justice system, we will be here.