Signs of Hope
The Rape Crisis Center
Link to Website: https://sohlv.org/
Contact Information
Location: 801 S Rancho Dr Ste. C3, Las Vegas, NV 89106
Phone: (702) 385-2153
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm
Population: Those affected by sexual violence and exploitation.
The Rape Crisis Center
What do they do?
What They Do
Founded in 1974 as Community Action Against Rape (CAAR), Signs of Hope (SOH) began as the combined effort of Florence McClure and Sandra Petta, two women living in Las Vegas who were outraged by the lack of resources and respect for those affected by sexual assault. Mrs. McClure originally ran SOH out of her home, with the goal of helping those in Clark County heal from the trauma of sexual violence. Her dedication and vision inspire us today, and our goal remains the same, to assure that victims of sexual assault have the support and resources they need to move through the process of healing.
Currently, SOH serves all of Clark County, Nevada. Our focus on supporting victims in the immediate aftermath and long-term recovery following sexual abuse and assault is unwavering. As an organization, our staff, board, and volunteers are all committed to providing the highest quality services to our community. Through our 24 hour hotline; information and services available at our resource center; support of victims and families as they go through the court system; the recent addition and expansion of counseling services for survivors of sexual abuse and assault through our Signs of Hope Counseling Center; and our prevention and education programs in the schools and throughout our neighborhoods. SOH is here for all clients affected by sexual abuse and assault, and is also working actively to change the behaviors and attitudes that contribute to the prevalence of sexual violence. Our services are provided at no cost to victims through the generous support of our grant partners, as well as individual and corporate donors.
Counseling
The Signs of Hope Counseling Center serves survivors of sexual abuse and assault ages 10 and older. We serve all survivors - any gender, any background, and whether the assault or abuse occurred days or decades ago, regardless of whether the incident was reported to law enforcement. The Signs of Hope Counseling Center is here to help you work through the impact sexual assault is having and has had on your life, and to assist you with the coping and healing process.
Group Support
We require individuals interested in any type of support group to first attend an orientation session to assess your individual needs and help determine the best fit for possible support groups or individual counseling. Orientation sessions are conducted by a licensed counselor, and occur every Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm. These sessions are open, and you do not need to RSVP or make an appointment to attend an orientation session.
We currently facilitate the following support groups on a weekly basis:
- Circle of Hope - Adult, Female Identified Survivors (English)
- From Trauma to Triumph - Adult, Male Identified Survivors (English)
- STRONG Group - Youth 11 to 18 years old, All Gender (English)
- All Gender Support Group (English)
- Level Up - Trafficking Survivors (English)
- Grupo Para Sobrevivientes - Adult, Female Identified Survivors (Spanish)
- Grupo Para Padres - Parent Group (Spanish)
- Parent Support Group - Parent Group (English)
Holistic Healing
For more information on programs, please attend support group orientation on Tuesdays at 5:30 pm, or call the office at 702-385-2153. Due to COVID-19 issues, it is best to call before attending any groups or programs, to confirm the current schedule and virtual options.
Weekly Yoga - trauma informed yoga class facilitated by Yoga Haven. Mats provided, no prior experience needed. This class is held on Tuesdays at 4:45 pm and is open to survivors and loved ones.
SANE Exams @ UMC Hospital
- The address for UMC is 1800 W. Charleston, Las Vegas, NV 89102.
- Go to the Adult Emergency Department and tell them at the time of check-in at triage that you are there for the SANE exam.
- You do not need to contact an advocate directly, the nurse will reach out to our advocates who will come and meet with you at the hospital.
- If you call to report the crime to the police first, they may be able to transport you to UMC for the exam.
- There is never a charge to you for undergoing the SANE exam at UMC hospital. This is true even if you do not have any type of insurance.
- You do NOT have to report the crime to law enforcement or pursue charges in order to have the exam done if you are an adult.
- If you are a minor, please keep in mind that the SANE nurse and medical personnel are mandated reporters of child abuse.
- The exam should ideally be done as soon as possible after the assault has occurred, but can be done up to 5 days later, and even if you have showered, etc.
- Currently, UMC is the only hospital in Clark County that offers the SANE exam for adults.
School-Based Advocacy
The School-Based Advocate is a dedicated individual available to assist victims of assault, abuse, or harassment who are enrolled in any K-12 school in Clark County, and their families. The School-Based Advocate can help victims and their families navigate the reporting process at their school, ensure that appropriate actions are taken to investigate and address reports, and assist with safety planning. They can also assist with escalating reports to higher authorities in the event that an initial report is improperly handled.
To learn more or make an appointment to speak with the School-Based Advocate, contact the SOH office at 702-385-2153.
Reporting Sexual Assault when a SANE exam is not an option
If an assault occurred more than 5 days ago, and you are unable to have a sexual assault exam, and have decided to make a report to police at this point, you have several options. You can contact the SOH offices and have an advocate accompany you to a police station or area command close to your home to make a report. The report is always going to be made in the location where the sexual assault occurred, even if that is not where you live. For example, if you were at a friends home in North Las Vegas when the assault occurred, but you live in Las Vegas, the report would need to be made to the North Las Vegas Police Department.
Several years ago, the statute of limitations for sexual assault increased to 20 years. You have plenty of time to make a report if you choose to do so later on. The best course of action prior to making a delayed report would be to write down everything you remember, as well as bring any items that might hold evidence, including clothing, bedding, etc. You should also think about any contact information for anyone who may have witnessed what happened, or if you told anyone what happened at the time. If you want to press charges and hope to have an investigation, the more information you can provide, the better likelihood for an investigation, especially if you are not able to have a SANE exam.
In the Community
Rape Crisis Center Services
Making an impact through the core services of:
• Prevention
• Education
• Advocacy
• Counseling
1390
Hospitality Industry professionals trained to prevent sexual assault
16000
Students educated to prevent sexual abuse and assault
30
More than 30 people weekly participating in support groups
140
Individuals receiving counseling each month
36%
Counseling hours increased by 36% from 2018
3400
Over 3400 volunteer hours donated