Victims of rape and sexual abuse in Acadiana have had somewhere to turn for help since the early 1980s.
 
Through the years, non-profit agency Hearts Of Hope has changed names and added programs to help adults and children.

But the mission remains the same. 

The agency responds daily to those affected by the trauma of sexual violence in our community, changing lives and in many cases saving them as well. 
 
Hearts Of Hope was formerly named Stuller Place. 

The non-profit agency, dedicated to ending sexual violence, began in the 1990s.

Director of volunteers Amidie Shaw says the Rape Crisis Center started with a phone in the basement of a Baptist church more than 30 years ago.
 
Shaw says the center is fully staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing education, advocacy, empowerment services and programs. The children’s advocacy center has grown to a team of advocates, therapists, counselors and nurses providing comprehensive care for anyone who needs it.

And that care includes onsight medical services for rape victims. Shaw says the sooner the help, the better.

Survivors, according to her,  who get help who have someone who believes them, who advocates for them, who treats them medically, mentally, emotionally, Shaw says, all of those things, they have life-changing behaviors.

 With the help of law enforcement, the criminal justice system and healthcare professionals, services are available throughout Acadiana.

Shaw tells News 10 they serve eight parishes for children and six parishes for adults.

The agency also provides a 24-hour crisis line.  

Shaw says it’s a struggle to provide so many services for those who need it because sexual violence like any other crime does not discriminate. 
 
The agency offers treatment for anyone she says regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, skin color or religious belief, there’s no barrier here to help.

Help, that can often be life-saving to the traumatized victims of sexual violence that she says leads to self-harming, a higher rate of suicide with several attempts and completion. Shaw knows that having support and belief is incredibly powerful.

Confidentiality is strictly enforced for all clients.
 
Hearts Of Hope is made up of three components dedicated to the vision of ending sexual violence.

They include the Sexual Abuse Response Center or SARC, the Children’s Advocacy Center or CAC and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or SANE.
 
If you are interested in helping this non-profit continue serving Acadiana victims of sexual violence, click here to access their website.