JACKSON – On Thursday, May 1, the Jackson Rape Crisis Center of Catholic Charities, Inc. will mark its 30th anniversary with a celebration at Smith Park in downtown Jackson from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Rape Crisis Center was established May 1, 1984, to help eliminate and reduce the incidence of rape and sexual assault through prevention and education, as well as provide free coordination of services to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault and their family members.
During its 30-year ministry, the Rape Crisis Center has provided direct services to more than 3,000 individuals in a service area that includes the counties of Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Warren, Simpson, Yazoo, Sharkey and Issaquena.
All services are free and include a 24-hour telephone crisis line, hospital crisis intervention, short-term and long-term counseling, family therapy, support groups, emergency shelter, court advocacy, community awareness and prevention education.
Recently the center hosted a rape prevention workshop for teens including lessons for both boys and girls on self-respect, abuse and prevention.
The 30th Year Anniversary Celebration is free and open to the public.
To seek help from the Crisis center call 601-982-7273 (RAPE).