As of March 16th, the OCRCC offices are closed to both visitors and staff.
The health and safety of our employees, volunteers, clients, and partners is a priority for us at the Orange County Rape Crisis Center.
We are closely following the advice of public health officials at the CDC and the Orange County Health Department regarding the outbreak of the respiratory disease coronavirus/COVID-19. The situation is evolving rapidly and we anticipate conditions in our community could change very quickly.
It is important that we protect ourselves and one another during this time and during all moments of increased risk to our community. Groups at increased risk for complications in the event of contracting COVID-19 include people over 60, people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes and asthma, and those with compromised immune systems – all of whom are part of the OCRCC community. While the increased media attention and unknowns surrounding coronavirus may feel novel, much of the scientific advice for how to stay safe and protect one another from disease are applicable to a variety of viruses, including influenza. Most of the advice we’ve received is familiar- we should be washing our hands thoroughly and often, avoiding contact with sick people, keeping our office clean, and staying home when we’re sick.
At this stage, the CDC has recommended that reasonable practices be put into place to stop the spread of the virus and to be prepared if the situation escalates. As of March 16th, the OCRCC offices are closed to both visitors and staff. Staff will work remotely for the duration of the pandemic period until the agency determines it is safe to resume in person services again. Our plan for service continuity is as follows:
- We will maintain 24-hour crisis intervention services through our phone, text and chat Helplines.
- Hospital accompaniment will still be available via video chat. We have provided the SANE staff at UNC Hospitals with an agency cell phone with video chat capabilities, and registered for Vsee Chat, a secure encrypted HIPAA compliant telemedicine app that will allow survivors to connect directly with an advocate for emotional support during their medical appointment.
- All client and community meetings will be conducted virtually either via phone or video chat. Secure video chat options will be used for any client contact.
- Support groups have been postponed by 2 weeks to allow us time to retool and assess feasibility and best practices for holding virtual groups as needed.
- All other public events, including education programs, have been cancelled or postponed. Follow us on social media for continued updates.
A Note for Survivors:
In times of uncertainty and public anxiety, navigating the world as a survivor can feel even more heavy. As we consider or prepare for precautionary measures like social distancing, self-quarantine, or sheltering in home, survivors may experience heightened feelings of isolation. If you are confined to a home or space where your assault occurred or where your harmdoer is also contained, planning for emotional and physical safety can feel even more daunting. Our 24-hour crisis intervention and support services are still active throughout this pandemic period.
Help, Hope and Healing are still just a call, text or chat away- 24 hours a day, every day.
Call Us: (919) 967-7273
Text Us: (919) 504-5211
Chat Online: Click the button at the bottom of the page on our website
Additional Mental Health Resources for Coping with COVID-19 Outbreak and its Fallout
Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health, from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
How to Deal With Coronavirus If You Have OCD or Anxiety, VICE Magazine
How to survive coronavirus anxiety: 8 tips from mental health experts, TODAY
SAMHSA’s free 24-hour Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990
