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Resources

VALDOSTA AND VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY resources from which you may choose group and/or individual counseling and other services. Below is a list of agencies and resources with sensitive and trained staff who are willing to work with you throughout your healing process, with the legal system, or, with any academic concerns you may have as a result of this trauma.

Counseling and Advocacy

FamilyWorks
A Service of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Valdosta State University

The FamilyWorks clinic is an university-based family counseling center that serves Valdosta and the surrounding communities and trains graduate students in family therapy. They offer services to all people who seek them, regardless of age, gender, race, political or religious views, sexual orientation, or ethnic background. Advanced master's level graduate students enrolled in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Valdosta State University staff the FamilyWorks clinic. Each therapist has undergone a screening process prior to being accepted into the MFT Program. All therapists are under the direct supervision of experienced, state licensed, qualified clinical members of the MFT Program faculty.


Dr. Martha Laughlin, Director of Clinical Training
Location:Our address is 903 North Patterson Street, Valdosta, GA 31698. We are on the corner of Patterson and Gordon Streets (across from the Crescent House). We are at the Patterson Street end of the one-story annex connected to the VSU Continuing Education Building.
(229) 219-1281

For more information please see: http://www.valdosta.edu/soc/mft/moorestreetclinic.shtml


Valdosta State University Counseling Center

The VSU Counseling Center provides a broad range of services to meet the personal, social, and educational needs of students. These services include but are not limited to individual and group counseling, outreach programs, testing, training, consultation, crisis intervention, evaluation of services, and accountability research. Our goal is to help each individual reach his/her optimal potential and receive the maximum benefits from the university experience. The Counseling Center understands the traumatic effects of sexual assault and can assist students in dealing with the aftermath by:

  • Providing students with free counseling and therapeutic services
  • Assisting students in receiving the support and guidance they need on and off campus
  • Assisting students in notifying their professors that they may be unable to attend classes
  • Maintaining students' privacy and confidentiality by ONLY speaking to individuals and agencies that students give them written consent to speak with
  • Assisting students with their living and housing conditions
Location: Powell Hall East 2nd Floor
Hours: M-R 8:00am-5:30pm & F 8:00am-3:00pm
Telephone: (229) 333-5940
After Hours: VSU Public Safety ask for On Call Counselor
Telephone: (229) 259-5555 or (229) 333-7816
Counselors:
Sheila B. Wakeley, M.S.W., L.C.S.W
Leah McMillan, M.S., L.M.F.T.
Wendy Vandemark, M.D., Consulting Psychiatrist

For more information please see: http://www.valdosta.edu/counseling/index.shtml


The Haven Rape Crisis Center (Off Campus)

The purpose of The Haven is to provide emergency shelter and services for victims of family violence and sexual assault. The Haven houses one of the few free-standing full-service rape crisis programs in the State of Georgia. Rape/Sexual Assault victims in The Haven’s nine county service area no longer have to be treated in the emergency room of their local hospital. The Rape Crisis Center provides confidential, private exams by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) who are certified and trained by the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault while allowing law enforcement to interview the victim while the details are still fresh in her mind. The RCC works with the victim through counseling, support groups and legal advocacy. The Rape Crisis Program offers:

  • Private rape exams by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
  • Crisis Intervention
  • 24-Hour Crisis Hotline
  • Information and referrals
  • Victim Support and Empowerment
  • Support Groups
  • Advocacy for victims; including support throughout the investigation and the criminal justice system
Tessa M. Wilkes
Rape Crisis Advocate
(229) 242-1544 (daytime)
(229) 244-1765 (after hours)
24 Hour Toll Free Crisis Line: 1-800-33-HAVEN

For more information please see: http://www.valdostahaven.org/index.htm

 

Police Departments

Sexual Assault victims, unlike victims of other crimes, are often reluctant to report assaults to the police or other authorities such as the Dean of Students.  They often fear that they will be blamed or disbelieved, or they may know the assailant and fear the consequences to him.  Reporting the assault does not obligate you to prosecute. It does give you the option to prosecute if you decide to do so. Reporting keeps your options open.

VSU Police Department
Location: Oak Street Parking Deck (Entrance on first level, south side)
(229) 259-5555 (Emergency)
(229) 333-7816 (Non Emergency)
http://www.valdosta.edu/finadmin/vsupd/
Valdosta Police Department
500 N Toombs St
Valdosta, GA 31601-4675
(229) 245-5270 (Assistance Non Emergency)
911 (Emergency)
Lowndes County Sheriff Department
120 Prison Farm Road
Valdosta, GA 31601
(229) 245-5270 (Assistance Non Emergency)
911 (Emergency)
Remerton Police Department
1757 Poplar Street
Remerton, Georgia 31601
(229)247-2320 (Non Emergency)
911 (Emergency)


Medical Services

IN TIMES OF EMOTIONAL STRESS, people tend to minimize their own feelings out of self-protection, or out of consideration for the feelings of people they love. Although you may feel fine physically, your body may be numbed by a state of shock, so it's important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Your need for treatment is, and should be considered, an emergency even if there are no visible signs of physical injury. Taking care of your health at this time is an important step in your healing process. If you choose to have evidence collected, the sooner this is done, the more reliable and potentially useful it will be. It's important that you receive treatment at a facility where the staff is specially trained to provide care for sexual assault survivors and to use the correct methods for evidence collection. It is important to seek medical care in order to:

  • be examined and treated for any injuries
  • be tested and treated for exposure to sexually transmitte diseases
  • discuss ways to reduce the risk of pregnancy
  • collect medical evidence should you decide to report the assault to the police for possible prosecution of the offender.

 

VSU Student Health Center

The Student Health Center provides health care for students under the supervision of the university physician. Additional staff includes a nurse practitioner, registered nurses, a medical technologist, a pharmacist, and office staff. Although the Health Center is equipped to handle most short-term illnesses, major illnesses and surgical treatment usually require the patient to be returned home or, in the case of emergency, to be taken to South Georgia Medical Center, located a few blocks from the campus.

Student Health's operating hours are Monday - Thursday: 7:30am - 5pm, Friday: 7:30am - 2:30pm, Saturday & Sunday: Closed.

200 Georgia Avenue
Valdosta, GA 31698
( 229) 333-5886

For more information please see: http://services.valdosta.edu/health/


The Haven Rape Crisis Center (Off Campus)

The Rape Crisis Center provides confidential, private exams by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) who are certified and trained by the Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault while allowing law enforcement to interview the victim while the details are still fresh in her mind.

Connie Hewett
Rape Crisis Advocate
(229) 242-1544 (daytime)
(229) 244-1765 (after hours)
24 Hour Toll Free Crisis Line: 1-800-33-HAVEN

For more information please see: http://www.valdostahaven.org/index.htm

 

South Georgia Medical Center


2501 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, Georgia 31602
(229) 259-4656