OUR VOICE, Inc.

OUR VOICE, Inc., formerly the Rape Crisis Center, is a non-profit crisis intervention agency which serves all victims of sexual violence in Buncombe and Madison Counties. The agency was founded in 1974 as an all-volunteer grassroots organization. The agency remained an "underground" agency until 1982 when we received our non-profit status and the first employee was hired. Now, 30 years and considerable growth later, OV employs seven paid staff and over 30 volunteers. We are no longer a secretive, underground agency. Instead, we are very visible in our community in an attempt to inform as many as possible about our services and the issue of sexual violence.

Mission

Our mission is to effect positive change regarding sexual violence through culturally competent victim services, outreach, intervention, counseling and education.

Vision

OUR VOICE recognizes the difficulty many people have in reporting sexual violence. It also acknowledges the traumatic nature of sexual violence and the need for providing support and information to the victims of these crimes. To assist the survivor in regaining a sense of control over their life is our primary goal. In this regard, the following statements reflect the philosophy and policy of OUR VOICE:

-- All reports are taken seriously and believed.

-- OV offers information and support to clients. We inform clients of their options and alternatives. We do not make decisions for them.

-- All information received from clients is strictly CONFIDENTIAL! (except in cases of child abuse, or when clients are a danger to self or others)

-- All services are free of charge. OV believes that victims of sexual violence should not have to pay for the services they need as a result of being victimized.