Info

The Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County is a community-based agency that advocates for victim-survivors, their families and friends. The agency embraces the goal of providing support and information so that a victim may empower herself or himself to heal, while acknowledging the victim-survivor's dignity and respect of her or his decisions. The Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County advocates the victim-survivor's right to:Be believed; Receive non-judgmental support; Choose her or his own pace and path of healing; Expect privacy and confidentiality; Accept or reject any agency service offered; and Receive accurate and current information. In order to serve all victim-survivors, the Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County strives to be fully accessible to all segments of the community, acknowledging differences and special needs. The agency seeks to eliminate barriers by asking for community input in assessing and broadening diverse representation within the agency. It serves individuals who have had their lives impacted by sexual assault, regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, disability, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, income, veteran status, marital status or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Although need is the only criterion for receiving services, the Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County does not provide services to staff members, board members, volunteers or consultants, or their family members or close friends. SACPC will make every effort to refer these individuals to other agencies so that they may receive appropriate support. In addition, the agency does not serve or treat offenders, but it supports the continued search by others for effective treatment. The agency believes sexual assault can be prevented. Prevention programs focus on:Education: targeting youth, other service providers, and the public, to rethink unconscious beliefs that permit the behavior; Community Development Model facilitation and implementation, which allow individual communities to take responsibility for creating an environment that has no tolerance for sexually violent behavior; Confrontation of societal views and attitudes that excuse sexual assault and increase vulnerability. SACPC recognizes the link between rape and sexism, racism, homophobia, ageism, and ableism oppression.