Rape Crisis Center aims to cut wait times

Operators receive about 300 calls a month, director says

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When seeking help after being the victim of rape or attempted rape, time is of the utmost concern. The Rape Crisis Center, before implementing a new telephone service, required victims to wait up to nine minutes on some occasions.

Now, with a new toll free number, (888) 366-1640, as well as a local number, 366-1640, wait times are one to two minutes at most. Both numbers are operational 24-hours a day, every day of the year.

Wendi Hall, an advocate and volunteer for the center, said victims who experience long wait times in such circumstances may hang up before they are directed to a volunteer.

Lu Torres, executive director of The Rape Crisis Center, said lowering the wait time was one of her first priorities when she accepted the position about four months ago.

"I realize we had one number for the 702 area code and people calling from outside Las Vegas, in other parts of Southern Nevada, had to wait to be connected," Torres said. "Hold times were seven to nine minutes sometimes, and that is just not really conducive to helping someone."

The center also implemented a system that will translate the nonprofit's services from virtually every language.

The improvements are meant to make the process of getting help as easy and the least intrusive it can be.

The center opened 32 years ago, and has the third highest call volumes in the country -- about 300 per month -- "we are kept very busy, unfortunately," Torres said.

It is important to note that the group not only helps women, but all sexual crime victims, including men.

"For the most part we deal with women, but we do help gentlemen as well," Torres said. "And victims cover the full spectrum of all ages, from 3 months old to 96 years old, all ethnicities and backgrounds, rich and poor."

Torres also noted that they experience a spike in calls during the holidays and on the few days surrounding the Super Bowl.

"Actually, Super Bowl Sunday is the highest day for domestic violence," Torres said. "Always remember to be safe, don't leave drinks unattended, try not to go to a party alone. This is especially important around the holidays."

In the event a rape does occur, the folks at the center direct victims to University Medical Center at 1800 W. Charleston Blvd.

"UMC is the only hospital that takes sexual assault victims, because they are the only hospital that has sexual assault nurse practitioners," Torres said. "That's because sexual assault victims require a lot of time. Many of the nurses spend time in court with the patient and they end up losing working hours. It's a big commitment."

Hall said that the main message they want to disseminate is to not be afraid to report sexual crimes.

"It takes many, many years to heal from (rape)," said Hall, who was a rape victim herself several decades ago. "We need to encourage women and to let them know there is no shame in getting help, and don't be afraid people won't believe you. I am an advocate now because I want to try to give other victims the help that I didn't have when I was a victim."

The Rape Crisis Center's Web site, www.therapecrisiscenter.org, offers some tips for victims. They include: going to a safe place, calling 911 if you are injured; and going to University Medical Center within seven days of the attack, and in order to preserve evidence, refrain from drinking and smoking before seeking medical attention, and avoid showering, brushing your teeth, using the restroom or changing your clothes or underwear before arriving at the hospital.

SEEKING HELP

The Rape Crisis Center hot line can be reached 24 hours a day, every day of the year, at (888) 366-1640 or 366-1640.

The Rape Crisis Center's Web site, www.therape crisiscenter.org, offers some tips for victims:

* Go to a safe place.

* Call 911 if you are injured

* Go to University Medical Center within seven days of the attack, and to preserve evidence, refrain from drinking and smoking before seeking medical attention, and avoid showering, brushing your teeth, using the restroom or changing your clothes or underwear before arriving at the hospital.