| About The Healing Place |
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The Healing Place is a sexual assault response and resource center and the child advocacy center of Henderson County. We serve all victims of sexual assault and child abuse regardless of age, sex, race, socioeconomic level. Our Mission is - “To provide crisis intervention, support, and counseling to victims of sexual assault and child abuse, and to increase awareness and prevention through community education.” Our Vision is - “We envision a community without sexual assault or child abuse or the fear of sexual assault or child abuse; Education and the meeting of emotional and psychological needs will result in all people being treated with dignity and respect.” The Healing Place HistoryThe Healing Place was first established in 1986 operating as an outreach of the Rape Crisis Center-Buncombe County in Asheville. Forty clients were served the first year of operation (1986). In 1987, the first support group was formed. This led to the Support for Survivors program, which is now run by a master’s level counselor and now supports several groups. Currently, we offer support groups for adolescent victims, adult survivors of child sexual assault, adult victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and non-offending parents of children of sexual assault. The Support for Survivor program provides professional, comprehensive, individual, and group counseling to survivors of sexual assault. Presently, The Healing Place addresses the problems of rape and sexual assault and child abuse in Henderson County. These are crimes of power and control. They occur statewide and nationwide in small rural areas, such as Henderson County, as well as in large, metropolitan areas. The agency serves victims of stranger rape, acquaintance rape, child sexual assault, sexual harassment, marital rape, and the non-offending family members of these victims. Clients ServedWhen one becomes a victim of a sexual assault crime or child abuse, or is closely involved with a victim, a variety of emotions can leave the victim feeling frightened and frustrated, as well as emotionally and physically ill. This emotional turmoil can last for months and even years. For most, the victimization is the worst they will ever experience. It is estimated that one in four females and one in seven males are sexually assaulted in their lifetime. The Healing Place has served the following number of clients in the past: 1999-2000 – 465 clients Funding for The Healing PlaceFunding for The Healing Place comes from a variety of sources. They include: City of Hendersonville The center also receives financial support from various fundraisers, an annual campaign letter, churches, businesses and individual contributions. Being able to obtain federal (VOCA) money is always an advantage since this is money seized from a crime and can now be used to benefit victims. North Carolina Council for Women support is money that is appropriated by the General Assembly to assist agencies that provide services to women. In summary, The Healing Place provides crisis intervention, case management, individual and group counseling, child-friendly atmosphere, school and community education and volunteer training. Our projected budget for 2006 - 2007 is approximately $317,000. Through the support of The Healing Place, assault and child abuse victims will begin to understand that in order to heal from the trauma, it is necessary to talk about the event. This verbalization leads to acceptance of what has happened which in turn leads to healing. Victims will then have a greater chance of working through their trauma, regaining their lives and finding their “safe place.” Our Address is 100 B Chadwick Square Court. Our Phone Numbers are 828-692-0495 – Office |
