Trauma is a coping response. Psychological trauma is the unique individual experience of an event or enduring conditions, in which:
The Counseling Program provides evidence-based, trauma-specific therapies to treat trauma from violence and abuse.
Short-Term Crisis Counseling assists individuals in restoring a sense of safety, balance and stabilization to their lives after experiencing a traumatic event or stressor. Reach offers up to three crisis sessions at no charge to reduce negative responses and increase coping skills.
Individual Therapy utilizes best practices in trauma treatment to aid healing and recovery. These therapies are designed to treat the impact of trauma on the whole person. Trauma therapy embraces the survivor’s need to be respected, informed, connected and hopeful regarding their own recovery.
Children are the most vulnerable and powerless victims of sexual, physical and domestic abuse. Child and adolescent therapy encourages safety, support and family engagement. Child and adolescent therapists receive specialized training, utilizing both verbal and nonverbal skills with children and teens beginning at four years old.
This therapy group focuses on talk and expressive therapies (such as play and art therapies), stories and sharing to help youth work through the trauma of their abuse.
Sexual Abuse Treatment Program is designed to address the systemic needs of sexual offenders, victims and non-offending parents through comprehensive group therapy.
Sex offenders are masterful manipulators. Reach provides Connections for Family Safety, a 24-week educational/therapy group for women to understand sex offender’s psyche, including thought processes and behaviors. Members address relationship dynamics, protective behaviors and safety plans to protect themselves and their children.
First Time Buyers Education Group
This is a five week psycho-educational program for men who are caught as first time buyers of prostituted individuals. These men have the option of taking the class or paying a much higher fine. Successful completion of the course will defer prosecution. This option is offered only to first time offenders.
The Advocacy Program provides victim-centered response at area hospitals, with law enforcement and throughout the judicial system. Victim advocates provide safety planning, skill building, short term counseling and culturally specific services. All advocacy services are offered at no cost.
Sexual assault, rape and incest can shatter a person’s sense of safety, self-worth and trust. Medical care is often needed during or shortly after the crisis period for STD treatment, pregnancy prevention and forensic evidence collection. Trained advocates work closely with local hospitals to provide 24/7 response.
Advocates assist victims and families while traversing the confusing legal system. It takes great courage and support to bring a perpetrator to justice and advocates provide unwavering support, informed direction and empathetic guidance. They also work as liaisons on victims’ behalf with other agencies, including law enforcement and district attorney’s offices.
Survivors of sexual violence need support in coping with the aftermath of an assault. Reach advocates help individuals understand the effects of sexual assault, create safety plans and develop stronger coping skills toward healing.
Prevention education and awareness in the schools and community are foundational to Reach. By creating awareness and understanding of the root causes of trauma, we are changing cultural stereotypes and norms that perpetuate violence and abuse.
School-based education is presented from Pre-K through 12th grade. Programming begins with protective behaviors in elementary school and evolves into social norms and constructs, by-stander interventions, and sexual harassment and assault in high school. Reach educators work collaboratively with school personnel in Winnebago County to provide additional programming on current trends and issues.
Social Media Intervention Program
This program targets kids at high risk or who have been caught misusing social media through sexting. This five week program presents the dangers and consequences of sexting and gives teens the opportunity to work together and connect in a safe and trusting environment. To facilitate success with this program, new child pornography ordinances have been put in place throughout Winnebago County. Successful completion of this program will defer all charges.
Community outreach and awareness are key components to ending abuse and changing attitudes about violence. The effects of trauma and abuse are at the core of many public health issues we face in the Fox Valley. Reach helps local communities by providing professional trainings and educational events for corporate partners, healthcare providers, schools and service organizations.
Native Americans silently experience sexual assault at three times the rate of any other U.S. population. Indigenous Connections offers outreach, advocacy and support to Native American victims of sexual and domestic violence and their families. Tribal collaborations, support groups and educational services are provided throughout the Fox Valley.
The Hispanic/Latino population is the fastest growing group in the Fox Valley. Many adults immigrating to this area initially speak little to no English. This language barrier hinders understanding the legal and judicial processes. Reach’s Latina Outreach advocate provides education, advocacy and translation services to Latino victims of sexual and domestic violence and their families.
The rates of dating violence and sexual assault continue to grow on college campuses. Reach collaborates with the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh with an advocacy program on campus that responds to sexual assaults, dating violence, stalking and sexual harassment of students and staff.
The average age of entry into the commercial sex industry is just 12 years old. Often lured by promises of love and acceptance, youth are easy targets for traffickers, and leaving becomes a dangerous and frightening endeavour. Reach’s anti-trafficking advocate works with law enforcement, prosecutors and victims to provide response, outreach, support and advocacy services.
Reach offers a 24/7 hotline to victims in crisis from sexual assault, incest, rape or other forms of sexual violence. Volunteer advocates are trained to provide emotional support and assist victims on-call for a 24-hour live response seven days a week.
Calls will be answered by support staff who will refer the victim to a therapist or advocate. Reach advocates share information, explain options and choices, and support victims’ decisions.
Support Groups are a safe and powerful way for survivors and families to share experiences and feelings of trauma, create positive interactions, find support and develop skills. Support groups help members feel less alone and can create a sense of belonging, friendship and shared history. Reach offers the following support groups throughout the year: