An Introduction into the Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocacy Center serving Catoosa, Walker, and Dade counties in Georgia.
Who works at the center?
Currently there are five employees at the Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocacy Center (SAVAC).
Executive Director: Kristy Lawson,
Administrative Assistant: Cindy Chandler,
Counselor: Amy Long,
Victim Advocate and Volunteer Coordinator: Kourtney Crane,
Victim Advocate: Kristen Silvers,
and SANE Nurse: Brandi Oliver.
We also have contract advocates, counselors, and SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Nurses that are here to help victims during holidays or when the office is closed as well.
What do we do at the center?
As Victim Advocates, we spend our time in the office checking in on victims within our caseload, answering questions when they arise, and making sure we stay on top of anything the victim may need. Our Counselor has daily appointments with victims of sexual assault, some of which are still new on their healing journey. Our Administrative Assistant manages the finances of the center, always making sure that we have payroll completed and bills paid. Our Executive Director manages the grants that ensure the center has funding to continue free services for victims in our area.
Who comes to the center?
Our center is in a private and confidential location in Catoosa County, GA. We keep our centers private, and office unmarked to ensure that victims feel safe and comfortable coming to our center to receive the care they need.
Those who are aware of where our center is, are victims of sexual assault, teen dating violence, human trafficking, or stalking. These are victims who have called and asked for our services and have made appointments with us to receive services at our location. Whether that be counseling, forensic medical exams, or just looking for someone to talk to about what happened to them.
What services are provided?
Our center is fully equipped to help victims in whatever stage they may be in. We have a medical exam room with high tech equipment, medications, pregnancy tests and prevention medication. Our SANE nurse performs Forensic Medical Exams in this room and completes rape kits, if the victim consents to it.
Some of our other services include:
Trauma informed counseling available
Support groups in two different counties.
We are currently accepting new clients for counseling. We have availability- call us today to get set up with free counseling services!
Court Accompaniment for Victims
Advocate during police interviews
Financial services for victims
Financial assistance
24-hour hospital accompaniment.
One-on-one Crisis Intervention
Criminal Justice Advocacy
Community Outreach and Education
Information and Referrals
24/7 crisis line
TPO Advocacy
If you are someone who has been a victim of sexual assault, we hope this blog brings you comfort in knowing a little bit more about us and what we do. We hope you feel comfortable enough to reach out and receive the help you deserve. You didn't deserve what happened to you, but you do deserve to heal from it. Please contact us to start your healing journey today.
To the left is a picture of the back of the on-site exam room.
On the right is a picture of our front office and our admin assistant Cindy Chandler
To the left is a picture of the couch in our counseling room.
By: Kourtney Crane (For post-July 2024)