Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center

The Zacharias [...] Abuse Center is a non-profit [...] crisis center operating in Gurnee, Illinois, and was incorporated in 1983. The center is a member organization of the Illinois Coalition Against [...] Assault (ICASA), which provides funding and state-wide standards for 33 [...] crisis centers throughout Illinois.

History

In August 1981 the Advisory Board and Coordinating Council of Lake County Health Department formed a [...] Victim Advocacy Task Force to study the need for [...] victim advocacy services in Lake County, Illinois. The Task Force members represented agencies, both public and private, who were involved or potentially interested in Providing services to [...] victims. The Task Force began meeting in January 1982 and concluded its needs assessment one year later. Their findings documented that services to [...] victims in Lake County, Illinois were inadequate and fragmented.

In the same year as its incorporation, the Zacharias Center was accepted as a member of ICASA and granted funding support. In 1984, 24 hour Hotline and Medical Advocacy service began, as well as Community Education and Professional Training Programs. In 1985, services were expanded to include counseling to [...] assault survivors and their families. In that same year, the Center received a grant from the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Fund and was accepted as a member of United Way of Lake County.

[...] Crisis Center Movement History in Illinois

In early 1977, women activists from nine community-based [...] crisis centers in Illinois gathered to “form a mutual support group…adding strength to any issue such as legislative action, and giving our strength to each other.” Searching for a name that reflected the profound social struggle necessary to end the degradation and [...] of women, these activists named their group the Illinois Coalition of Women Against [...] (ICWAR).

The first funding for [...] assault crisis centers, $148,889, was distributed by ICWAR to 12 centers in 1982. Later that year, four more centers were funded. Subsequent funds enabled centers to hire advocates, counselors and educators. Since 1982, centers have developed specialized services to meet the needs of children, adult survivors of child [...] abuse, teens and male victims. They have standardized volunteer training and developed curricula for conducting education and training programs. They have also implemented protocols with hospitals and law enforcement agencies. In 1984 the name of ICWAR was changed to the Illinois Coalition Against [...] Assault (ICASA) to reflect the inclusion of men as victims of [...] assault.

Marilyn Van Derbur former Miss America, Incest Survivor

In 2002 Marilyn Van Derbur, a former Miss America, shared her story to a group hosted by the Zacharias [...] Abuse Center on how she was sexually violated by her prominent, millionaire father from age 5 to age 18. She was 53 years old before she was able to speak the words in public, "I am an incest survivor." She opened the door for tens of thousands of [...] abuse survivors to also speak the words, many for the first time, within their own families and communities. Through her work the myth that people of wealth and accomplishment do not commit such heinous crimes was shattered, exposing perpetrators as individuals who come from all areas of our society. Ms. Van Debur, an ardent supporter of the Zacharias Center, has received many awards including recognition for “Exceptional Achievement in Public Service from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Washington D.C.”

White House Proclamation Endorsing National [...] Assault Awareness Month

On April 8th 2009, the President Barak Obama issued a White House Proclamation to raise awareness about [...] assault. The proclamation cited statistics that demonstrate the pervasive problem of [...] assaults, information regarding the array of services available to victims which were deemed essential in assisting victims cope with the trauma of [...] assault, and landmark legislation that has helped to create laws and services for victims of [...] assault crimes. In closing the president urges “all Americans to respond to [...] assault by creating policies at work and school, by engaging in discussions with family and friends, and by making the prevention of [...] assault a priority in their communities.”

Zacharias Center’s Services

The Zacharias Center, as a [...] crisis center, offers three programs directly targeted at [...] abuse victims. The services include: 24 Hour Hotline, Counseling services which include individual, group and family sessions for individuals age 3 and up, and Advocacy services, which includes Medical and Legal assistance on behalf of the victim. In addition, [...] Assault Prevention-Education classes are delivered onsite to school children, their parents, school administrators and teachers, and professional training is offered to police, emergency room staff, social workers, court personnel and other groups working with survivors of [...] abuse and assault. All services are offered bilingually and are provided free of charge.

Zacharias Center’s Building

In 1997, the Zacharias Center opened a new building to house operations. The building concept represents the theoretical and architectural concept of “The Emotional Content of the Physical Space” . The building was created through a collaboration of the Zacharias Board and its Executive Director. The inclusion of input from [...] abuse victims, in designing the building, was highly intentional in order to create an environment which would be interpreted by clients as safe. The building incorporates areas of design that support this premise, with open spaces, multiple and large windows allowing for extra light, high ceilings, soft-tone colors, outdoor garden areas for contemplation and relaxation and comfortable furniture.