A new non-profit is focused on helping sexual assault victims in Adams County.
Pennsylvania Coalition of Rape hired Atle Walter in September to open Adams County Sexual Assault Services. Walter and her colleague, Emily Uleau, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to care for victims at any stage of their trauma.
“We try to meet the client where they are at and provide the needs they want to be provided with,” Walter said. “We never force anything on anyone because everyone is always at different stages.”
Walter and Uleau will accompany victims to the hospital or police station. They can also connect them with free legal information, counseling, food, and shelter. Services are available at any point in a victim’s recovery process, even a decade later. All services are free and confidential, Walter said.
“We work with them and follow up with them to make sure they are getting everything they need,” Walter said.
Walter encourages everyone to call her, even if they are unsure they want to report their assault to the police.
“We are there to be a helping hand,” she said.
Friends or family members of victims can also call Atle for advice.
“The best thing you can do is just support them as much as possible,” she said. “Encourage them to talk to somebody, encourage them to seek professional help whether through us or a counselor. Just being a friend they can rely on day-to-day is super important.”
PCAR is also working with local school districts to provide sexual assault prevention education.
Walter said she was drawn to work with victims since she learned such a career existed and has been in the field since 2014.
“I really like helping people. Every time I get to talk to somebody and help them with what they are going through, that really keeps me going,” she said.
Anyone seeking help for themselves, a friend or a family member who is a victim of sexual assault can call PCAR’s 24/7 hotline at 1-888-772-7227.
Learn more about Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape by listening to the entire 20-minute interview with Walter.
Featured image caption: Atle Walter is the direct services supervisor for Adams County Sexual Assault Services.
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.