Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault, a division of CODAC

The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) provides crisis services, advocacy, support, therapy and education for individuals and families impacted by sexual trauma. We provide a safe place for survivors to heal, gain strength, learn coping skills, and develop trusting, caring relationships. The mission of the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault is to reduce the trauma and incidence of sexual assault.

WHY WE NEED YOUR GIFTS

SACASA's services are provided FREE OF CHARGE to victims of sexual violence and their loved ones. This year, in particular, we have expanded our hospital advocacy services to a second Tucson hospital, Banner UMC Main Campus. We are raising funds to cover the costs of an additional full time Advocate and an additional on-call Forensic Examiner to ensure we are able to provide timely advocate and examiner response to two hospitals at once.

The 2022 Dine Out For Safety Fundraiser - which typically nets $40K - has been postponed due to COVID-19. We're hoping to make up for some of the missed revenue through your gifts on Arizona Gives Day so that we can open the new hospital response unit at Banner UMC.

ABOUT SACASA'S SERVICES
Crisis Services
When you are in crisis, help cannot wait. SACASA's bilingual crisis line support is available 24/7 for people of all ages.

Call for confidential support immediately following sexual assault or if you need someone to talk to, no matter when the assault happened. When you're ready to talk about it and seek support, we're here for you.

When you call, advocates will listen to your needs, offer you the appropriate resources, and connect you with emergency care, if necessary.

SACASA's Crisis Advocates will also meet you at the hospital following a sexual assault. They are here to support you and will:
• Help you understand your medical and legal options and your rights as a survivor of sexual violence.
• Arrange for and support you through a medical forensic exam if you decide to get one.
• Work with the medical staff, law enforcement, and others to create a safe environment for you at the hospital and after you leave.
• Connect you with counseling and other resources when appropriate.

If you choose to have a medical forensic exam, you will work with one of SACASA's specially trained Forensic Examiners. They provide compassionate, confidential and comprehensive care following a sexual assault including assessing injuries, collecting biological specimens such as blood and urine, and discussing preventative medicines.

Therapy and Support
Therapy and support are critical in the healing process to reduce the long-lasting effects of sexual violence. We offer individual, couples, family and group therapy for survivors and their loved ones ages 12 and older FREE OF CHARGE.

Our therapists are trained and have extensive experience in treating sexual trauma. We understand the impacts that this specific type of trauma has on the mind, the body and the soul, and we know the techniques to help you through it.

Whether you were sexually assaulted yesterday or 40 years ago, and whether you are a survivor of rape, molestation, incest, or harassment, we are trained in providing individualized, expert trauma-informed care to help you transition on the journey from victim to survivor.

Testimonials

"I am very appreciative of SACASA. My advocate was very, very helpful and did not leave my side during my visit here at TMC. Thank you."

"Best provided services could ever receive from everyone involved."

""[It's] helpful to know there's someone who is not involved to help us with this."

"Thank you for helping me feel comfortable and secure."

"[It] was so helpful to have someone here with me and explain what to expect."

"Everything was great. The two girls made me feel safe and let me know that my feelings were ok to have, and it was comforting to have someone with me the entire time, lessened anxiety."