Fear and stigma can be tremendous barriers for survivors seeking support.  Survivors often worry that no one will believe them.  This is why sexual assault is one of the least reported crimes.  They may feel ashamed or embarrassed as to what happened to them.  They may feel partially responsible.  They may ask themselves what they did to cause their sexual assault.  Some survivors have heard their friends and family say things like, "you should be over that by now," or "why did that happen to you."  These barriers have only intensified in recent years.  These barriers could be particularly significant for male survivors of sexual assault.  

One fabulous resource is the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.  You can call or text them at (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020.  Sometimes survivors find it easier to text than call.  The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has confidential services and community educational programs that are dedicated to clearing the way for healing to begin.  Survivors can talk to a confidential counselor who can communicate to them that they are believed and that it was not their fault.  

Every survivor deserves support no matter their age, gender or background.  No matter how long ago the assault occurred, it is never too late to heal.  

Each year the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center serves over 46,500 people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake Counties.  Their mission is the elimination of sexual violence.  

The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center was founded in 1974 in response to Cleveland's longstanding need for services to assist survivors of sexual assault.  Before the 70's most people who had suffered sexual abuse suffered in silence.  Feelings of guilt, shame or fear of women, children and men from speaking out about, much less reporting, their assaults.  Lynn Hammond and Carrie Zander founded the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center hot line in 1974.  A grant from the Cleveland and George Gund Foundations allow them to expand the hot line service and hire four (4) full-time staff members.  

I remember when I worked in the Standard Building as a young attorney.  The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center was a very small organization working out of a small office in that building.  They used to host bake sales in the lobby to raise money.  I remember many times showing up at my office with large quantities of baked goods having purchased half the inventory at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center bake sale. 

Over the years the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has grown from a small grassroots volunteer run hot line service to an 80-employee non-profit organization providing counseling services, victim assistance  in the justice system, and 24-hour services to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their families. 

In support of the vision and mission of the organization, the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is committed to serve all survivors and those supportive of them regardless of age, gender, identity, sexual orientation, race, income ability or religion. 

They are devoted to providing timely access to customized, results-focused services and programs.  They are devoted to creating a safe, welcoming, healing and respectful environment where survivors and their loved ones can find support.  They work to end the silence surrounding sexual violence and the stigma found within the community.  They work to raise awareness about how cultural norms, media attention and societal acceptance or oppression relates to the incidence of sexual violence.  They work to deepen the understanding that sexual violence is preventable and to incorporate a more holistic collaborative public health approach to sexual violence prevention.  They share their expertise and knowledge about, and advocate for, evidence-based rape and sexual abuse practices and policies.  They promote a trauma-informed work environment that empowers the staff and the volunteers that do their work to their fullest capacity and they support them in their efforts.  They inspire teamwork in order to provide the best services to the community.  The maximize their own resources and the community's resources to receive meaningful, measurable and financially sustainable outcomes.  

The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has offices in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake Counties:

Ashtabula Office
5021 State Road
Ashtabula, OH 44004

Clark-Fulton Office
2937 West 25^th Street, 3^rd Floor
Cleveland, OH 44113

Mentor Office
8224 Mentor Avenue, Suite 134
Mentor, OH 44060

Chardon Office
WomenSafe, The Greenhouse
12041 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024

Human Trafficking Drop-In Center
10450 Superior Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44106

Shaker Square Office
13209 Shaker Square
Cleveland, OH 44120

It has been my sincere pleasure to work to support the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and to work with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and to work with many survivors for over thirty (30) years.

If you or someone you love has been the victim of sexual assault and you would like to talk to us about a potential civil claim, please call us at The Dickson Firm at 1 800 OHIO LAW as we would be happy to talk with you and help you in any way we can.  If you need counseling services or guidance please call the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center or text the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center at (216) 619-6194 or (440) 350-7364.   https://clevelandrapecrisis.org