Shelby, Robert D

HistoryRape Victim Advocates was formed in 1974 by obstetrician/gynecologist Natalie Stephens, M.D., and a group of Northwestern University medical students concerned about survivors of sexual assault. They recognized that standard hospital resources were not sufficient for the special needs of the survivor. These founding advocates educated themselves about Rape Trauma Syndrome a cluster of physical and emotional responses experienced by nearly all those who experience sexual assault In July of 1975, RVA began working with the emergency room staff of Grant Hospital. The advocates volunteered to be on call, assuring that, at any given time, a volunteer would be available to serve the survivors of sexual assault. Today, our team of staff and volunteer advocates are available to provide service to survivors of sexual assault 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 14 hospitals. RVA encourages anyone concerned with the well-being of survivors of sexual assault to join us.SpecialtiesRape Victim Advocates (RVA) is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through free non-judgmental crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. We provide 24-hour crisis response to 14 Chicagoland hospitals. RVA provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault. Services are based in four locations: downtown, Stroger Hospital (in the Fantus Health Center), in the Austin community on the west side of Chicago and in the Ravenswood community on the north side of Chicago. We also have a specialized Children's Legal/Medical Advocate based out of the YWCA's RISE Children's Center. If you are in crisis, please contact the 24-hour Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline at 888-293-2080.

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