RACS in Jefferson City provides survivors with resources and support to escape abuse.

Some may think violence, abuse, and rape are things that happen in other places, but these occurrences are common in big cities and small towns alike. Many of the survivors stay trapped and isolated with their abusers for years, not knowing how to escape and seek healing. The staff and volunteers at RACS (Rape and Abuse Crisis Service) are working hard to change this reality and give survivors options and resources.

“We provide a variety of services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and child abuse,” says Angela Hirsch, the executive director of RACS.

RACS is a United Way Partner Agency.

“It is a shelter for women and children when it’s no tsafe for them at home, and they need a safe place to stay,” Angela explains.

While the shelter only houses women and children, RACS offers undisclosed safe places for males, too. RACS can also always be contacted through their toll free, 24/7 hotline at 1(800) 303-0013 or during office hours at (573) 634-8346.

“We will work with a survivor from anywhere in the state or the nation that comes to us for help,” Angela says.

The services at RACS are extensive, and they are all geared toward ending the cycles of abuse and violence. Because the trauma resulting from and perpetuating cycles of abuse and violence comes in many different forms, RACS provides counseling to survivors, regardless of when the abuse occurred.

“We have licensed professional counselors on staff that provide trauma-informed therapy,” Angela says.

RACS also has an intensive advocacy program where staff members provide crisis intervention services to survivors, and they work with local hospitals, sheriff’s departments, and the Cole County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to support survivors in various situations. This helps them provide everything from immediate intervention in crisis situations to legal help for things like orders of protection, marriage dissolutions, child custody cases, and support for survivors acting as witnesses in cases being prosecuted by Cole County. Unfortunately, abuse affects more than just the immediate survivors; it often self-perpetuates.

“Children who come from abusive homes are 70% more likely to become either abusers or victims,” Angela says.

In their efforts to end the generational cycles of abuse and violence, RACS works to educate the community.

“We have a program right now where staff are going out to the schools,” Angela says. “We have a curriculum about healthy relationships and teen dating, and we have a children’s program called Healing Hearts that is available to our littles who are in a shelter.”

The program provides early childhood education to preschoolers, tutoring to school-age kids, and trauma-informed care for all kids. RACS also helps kids identify destructive behaviors they may have seen at home and learn how to deal with their emotions in a nonviolent manner.

The people who work and volunteer at RACS are passionate about ending rape and abuse but believe change only happens when the community is willing to face reality and take action.

“As a community, we need to step up and acknowledge that these crimes occur, say we stand with survivors, and say that we do not accept this type of behavior,” Angela says. “What are we, as a society, teaching our young people? Is it that violence is the answer to a conflict? For some reason, when it comes to interpersonal violence, we victim blame and that has to stop.”

RACS receives funding from state and federal grants, but those funds cover fewer and fewer of the services RACS provides each year. Financial support is needed to help cover the cost of staff, maintain a shelter that houses 12-14 families at any given time, and sustain the various programs and services offered.

“We can’t do what we do without the support of the community — not only financially but through volunteerism, word of mouth, and letting people know that RACS is available,” Angela says. “Everything we do, there is no cost to the survivor. There’s no criteria or requirement that someone has to meet to receive our services other than having been abused.”

Volunteers are essential to helping RACS help others. Individuals with time or specific skills assist in many ways, such as teaching cooking or yoga classes, providing childcare for parents attending group counseling sessions, helping with building maintenance, sorting the monthly food bank delivery, answering the hotline, or volunteering as an advocate. RACS will provide the necessary training for these volunteer roles if it is required.

“You don’t know the impact you can have on a person by your words, actions, and caring. When you believe somebody is being harmed or they come to you for help, you don’t have to do anything but believe them. Just believe them because so many others will not. If they are looking for a way out or looking for resources, send them to us. We can help, we are a resource, a sanctuary, and we are here 24/7 every day. We never close.”

Get Involved

Anyone looking to get involved can find more information and the volunteer application under the Get Involved tab at RACSJC.org or on the United Way Volunteer Connect app.