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Sexual assault is a growing problem. But Lynn Tusa, Ivonne Zucco and others at Stamfords Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education are doing their best to teach people about its dangers and to help its victims.
They have to understand they have a voice and that help is out there, Zucco, director of operations, said of victims.
When types of sexual assault are explained to people, some will remember past situations in which they felt uncomfortable and realize they are victims, too, Zucco said. The victims are not only children, but also adult men and women.
Each meeting the center runs is geared toward a specific audience. For adults, the topic is often the work place or how to help their children. For kids, it is often dealing with relatives and friends as well as the dangers of technology.
Tusa says she was shocked by the increase in sexting sending sexually illicit text messages. It was mind-numbing to me that people will use a cell phone for that, said Tusa, director of development at the center.
The centers staff includes three counselors one who specializes in children, one who helps adults and one who is bilingual and 20 volunteers who man the 24-hour hotline. Each volunteer puts in 35 hours of training to earn his or her sexual crisis certification. At least two volunteers are working at a time in case one needs to leave to meet a victim.
The center serves residents of Stamford, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Westport, Weston and Wilton. From July 1, 2009, through June 30 2010, it educated more than 9,400 people and provided service to 503 new clients.
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