Urbana raises awareness of sexual violence resources, 24/7 help available

URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - Help is available 24-7 for those experiencing sexual violence, as the City of Urbana took time to raise awareness Monday night.

The Rape, Advocacy, Counseling and Education Services Center (RACES) will offer free and confidential services.

There will be a crisis hotline, and it will offer medical and legal advocacy as well.

"Part of the way we make change is by having a community-level response. We use the public health approach to sexual violence prevention, which means we're not looking at it as just an individual responsibility, but we're looking at relationships, we're looking at the community levels," said RACES Executive Director Jaya Kolisetty.

The center puts on presentations in local schools and has free education online.

The 24-hour crisis hotline is 217-384-4444.