About Us

What is
SAS?

The Sexual Assault Services program of BeLEAF Survivors is deemed the “Sexual Assault Service Provider” for Racine County by the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and as such is the only program in our county that is dedicated to the full continuum of needs of sexual assault victims. Services include a 24 hour crisis line, 24 hour hospital response, family advocacy at the Racine County Child Advocacy Center, personal and legal advocacy, counseling/therapy, support groups, and community awareness/education. All of our services are available in English and Spanish and are provided free of charge.

What services are available?

BeLEAF Survivors’ Sexual Assault Services Program (SAS) provides the following services to the Racine community. All services are available free of charge.

Hospital Response Team

Volunteer advocates and staff respond 24 hours a day to Racine and Burlington hospitals to meet with survivors and families to provide emotional support and information.

Professional therapy

Short- and long-term therapy is provided free of charge by Masters level counselors to individuals, couples, and families who have been affected by sexual violence.

Support Groups

SAS provides support groups for survivors of sexual assault and their support people.

All groups are confidential.

Information & Referrals

SAS provides referrals to community resources serving survivors and their families.

Family Advocacy

A SAS Family Advocate provides support, information, and advocacy to the children and families served at the Racine County Child Advocacy Center.

Legal Advocacy

SAS provides support and information throughout the legal process. Staff can accompany survivors and their families to court, as well as attend hearings that survivors and their families cannot or wish not to attend.

Community Education

SAS provides free educational programs and in-services for community groups, organizations, schools, businesses, and government entities. SAS also helps organize community awareness events and informational displays.

Become a Volunteer

Volunteer advocates spend one day a month answering crisis calls
from survivors and other concerned community members,
as well as responding to area hospitals when a survivor reports an assault.

Call BeLEAF at (262) 619-1634 to learn more about available volunteer opportunities.

Bilingual (English/Spanish) volunteers are also needed.

Contact

SAS Staff

A SAS staff member can typically be reached by calling 262-619-1634 Monday through Friday. If you want to read the SCAN staff member bios you can go to our staff page here.

*Executive Director*
**Karen Fetherston**

Program *Director*
**Samantha Sustachek**

*Rural Services Coordinator and Therapist*
**Vicki Biehn**

*Bilingual Therapist*/ Terapeuta Bilingüe
**Kari Wilder**

*Family Support Advocate*
**Christa Dasher**

Crisis Relief Worker & Volunteer Coordinator
**Trene McCaskill**

*Bilingual Outreach Advocate*/ Trabajadora Bilingüe
**Annabell Bustillos**

“But no matter how much evil I see, I think it’s important for everyone to understand that there is much more light than darkness.”
Robert Uttaro, “To the Survivors: One Man’s Journey as a Rape Crisis Counselor with True Stories of Sexual Violence”

“They provided answers in a time when all I had was questions. They helped me slow down my mind and let me know that it was going to get better.”
From a survivor speaking on their experience with BeLEAF

“This book does not have a happy ending. The happy part is there is no ending, because I’ll always find a way to keep going.”

Chanel Miller, “Know My Name”