Clark County’s Rape Crisis Center ‘busier than ever’

The Rape Crisis Center in Clark County has been "busier than ever" so far this year, and staff is seeking volunteers to help with the mission.

During the first half of 2015, call totals to the center hotline and in-person staff visits were "unprecedented," the center said Thursday in a news release. The center received 2,265 calls from Jan. 1 through Thursday. That's up 12 percent compared to the same time last year.

An increase in calls and visits doesn't necessarily mean more sexual assaults are happening, the center said. But more people could be reaching out because they know more through campaigns such as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.

"It appears our efforts to increase awareness of our hotline and our services are working," said Daniele Dreitzer, executive director of the center.

The number of victims seen in person at University Medical Center has also risen and there was an almost 25 percent spike compared to this time last year, the release said. Comparing the period of April to June, there was a 40 percent increase compared to numbers from 2012 through 2014.

Counseling hours are up about 80 percent, the center said. This followed expanded hours and picking up volunteers who speak Spanish.

"The appointments filled up immediately," Dreitzer said about the expanded schedule.

Volunteers over the age of 21 can apply for five-week training sessions by Aug. 15. Training begins Sept. 9.

After being screened, volunteers must commit to a minimum of six months.

For more information on applying or on the center, visit www.rcclv.org or call 702-385-2153.

Contact Ricardo Torres at rtorres@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Find him on Twitter: @rickytwrites.