OSF Resilient Healing for Sexual Assault Survivors

OSF Resilient Healing is a program for survivors of sexual assault in the northeast LaSalle County, Illinois, area. Our experts provide compassionate care and support designed for the physical, emotional and mental trauma of sexual assault.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact that occurs without clear and voluntary consent. It often results in physical, emotional and mental injuries.

How the Program Supports Recovery

After a sexual assault, a survivor may choose to immediately go to a hospital emergency department to receive care for any injuries as well as a medical forensic examination. (Forensic medicine is medical care that also focuses on identifying and preserving potential evidence for court proceedings.)

OSF Resilient Healing builds on this emergency care by delivering specialized treatment for the trauma that survivors have experienced. These services continue throughout recovery and include:

  • Ongoing physical health follow-up: Continued physical assessments and screenings are needed to address health issues that may appear later, manage pain and other symptoms and ensure the survivor’s overall well-being.
  • Emotional and mental health services: Receiving regular emotional and mental health support through counseling, therapy or psychiatric services is very important for recovery after an assault.
  • Ongoing forensic services: We monitor how well injuries are healing, document any improved or new findings, and maintain photographic evidence for potential court proceedings.
  • Referrals for any additional support services

Why Follow-up Care Matters

Timely follow-up care helps identify and address physical, emotional and mental health issues before they become more severe. Continued assessments and screenings are also needed to address health problems that appear later, manage the survivor’s symptoms and ensure their overall well-being.

  • Physical injuries: These injuries can range from cuts or bruises to more severe trauma, such as strangulation, genital/anal injuries, etc. There can also be long-term health problems, such as chronic pain, infections and reproductive health problems.
  • Emotional and mental injuries: Many survivors suffer from intense emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicidal thoughts. They may experience feelings of shame, guilt and isolation, which can make it hard to return to daily life or trust others. The trauma of the experience can also disrupt personal and professional relationships and impact the survivor’s overall quality of life.

If the impacts of sexual assault are interfering with a survivor’s daily life or recovery after the initial visit to a hospital emergency department, it’s critical that they seek specialized care from a program like OSF Resilient Healing. Seeking this care within six months of an assault may support survivors’ healing and help reduce the risk of long-term health effects – if and when they feel ready.

Who can use this service?

OSF Resilient Healing serves all survivors of sexual assault – both adults and children – in the northeast Lasalle County, Illinois, area. It is the only treatment program in Illinois that helps both adults and children recover from sexual assault.

What to Expect at the First Appointment

At the first appointment, a survivor will go through a comprehensive evaluation that will examine:

  • Their physical, emotional and mental health
  • Any new forensic evidence
  • Their support system (family and friends)
  • Their socioeconomic factors (income, housing situation, safety, etc.)

Based on this evaluation, a customized plan will be developed for the survivor that may include follow-up appointments, screenings and referrals for additional support services.

This appointment is designed to be safe, supportive and respectful of the survivor’s emotional state. We place a strong emphasis on believing the patient and making sure they feel supported. If they choose to, patients may have a Safe Journeys advocate present for extra support during appointments. 

Our Team

The OSF Resilient Healing team of health care professionals consists of:

  • Sexual assault nurse examiner
  • Clinically licensed therapists
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychiatric nurse practitioners

The Importance of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner

The sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) is a highly trained family nurse practitioner who provides specialized physical and mental health care for survivors of sexual assault. Their role includes several key responsibilities, such as:

  • Ensuring the survivor understands that they are believed so they feel safe during treatment
  • Obtaining the survivor’s consent for any care that is provided
  • Treating a survivor’s injuries in a hospital emergency department after an assault
  • Performing a complete medical forensic exam
  • Offering and providing testing, treatment and education for sexually transmitted infections (e.g., HIV) and pregnancy
  • Conducting mental health screenings
  • Providing ongoing post-assault care (diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medication, managing referrals to specialists, etc.)
  • Advocating for the survivor’s rights and needs
  • Assessing the survivor’s safety
  • Testifying as an expert witness in court

How to Schedule an Appointment

Sexual assault survivors can be referred by any hospital emergency department, law enforcement or sexual assault advocacy organization (Safe Journeys Advocacy, Freedom House, etc.). They can also schedule an appointment without a referral by calling (815) 434-4382.

Locations

OSF Resilient Healing services are provided in Ottawa and Mendota, Illinois.

Support Resources