Rape/Sexual Assault

In 1971, Kentucky's first rape crisis center began serving victims of rape and sexual assault. Over the next eight years, three more centers opened operating on minimal federal and local funding support. Until 1986, these four centers were the only programs of their kind in Kentucky. 

It was only with commitment of state general fund support from the 1986 General Assembly that expansion of these specialized services became possible. At the same time, the Department for Mental Health and Mental Retardation was given responsibility for funding and providing administrative oversight to rape crisis centers statewide.

In order to ensure these specialized services are accessible across the commonwealth, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services funds 13 rape crisis centers each serving from five to 17 counties. 

Rape crisis centers serve victims and their family members and friends in the counties in their respective regions. While each of the 13 centers may provide a specialized array of services based on the needs and opportunities of the area served, all centers provides the following services:

• 24-hour rape crisis line;
• Crisis counseling to help survivors in express thoughts and feelings about his/her rape/sexual assault;
• Crisis counseling and support to help family and friends of rape victims cope with the trauma;
• Therapy services or referrals for more intensive or specialized therapy;
• Support groups for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and incest;
• Information regarding law enforcement, criminal justice and medical systems;
• Advocacy for victims, including accompanying them to health facilities, police stations and court;
• Referrals to appropriate community resources; and
• Help with victim compensation claims.

During the 2004 executive branch reorganization, the former Cabinets for Health Services and Families and Children merged to form the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. The Division of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Services now resides in the CHFS Department for Human Support Services and continues to provide funding for the rape crisis center network and administrative oversight for the state's rape and sexual assault policy development, programs and services.

For more information about Kentucky's rape crisis centers, please visit the Web site for the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs which represents and provides staffing and related support for the 13 rape crisis centers and direct services to victims.

List of Rape Crisis Centers

One in Nine Report