The Rowan Center offers a range of free and confidential services that impact thousands of Connecticut individuals annually. Our key programs are available in English, Spanish, Haitian-Creole and French, including:
Crisis Counseling
We provide trauma-informed crisis counseling to survivors of sexual violence, ages 10+, helping them process their trauma and begin healing. We serve approximately 680 clients annually, offering free individual counseling to primary and secondary victims.
Learn more about our work in crisis counseling
24/7 Hotline
Our free and confidential hotline is available 24/7, offering immediate support and resources to survivors and their loved ones. Our state-certified Sexual Assault Crisis Advocates operate the English and Spanish hotline, where they are available to listen, empower and connect callers to the resources they need.
Advocacy Services
The Rowan Center provides free, 24-hour confidential support to those who have experienced sexual violence, or know someone who has. We accompany survivors to hospitals, police stations, and court proceedings, advocating for their rights and ensuring they receive the support they need during medical and legal processes. Our trained advocates help child, teen, and adult victims and their families navigate complicated systems, including the OVS Victims Compensation Program, or build trust with law enforcement. Our Justice Advocacy program also collaborates and trains local law enforcement on sexual assault trauma and best practices.
Learn more about our advocacy work
Empowerment Groups
We offer a safe place to share personal experiences, feelings, and coping strategies through different support groups, including an English Group, Spanish Group, Men’s Group, Women’s 40+ Group and a Queer Survivor Group for victims in lower Fairfield County and throughout the State. The Groups are well suited for easing trauma survivors’ emotional stress, including feelings of isolation, loneliness, depression, helplessness, and hopelessness, with a focus on creating a sense that victims are not alone.
Educational Programs
Our prevention education programs reach over 20,000 students annually across lower Fairfield County. We provide age-appropriate, developmentally tailored lessons on sexual violence prevention and healthy relationships to students in K-12 schools. Our priority is to provide quality education that allows children to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences that build resilience and reduce risk factors for violence. We also train teachers, healthcare workers, law enforcement, and community organizations on sexual violence awareness and response.
Learn more about our education services
Trafficking Prevention
Our trafficking prevention program delivers targeted education in both English and Spanish to vulnerable populations in Stamford and other areas of lower Fairfield County. The program focuses on identifying warning signs, understanding risk factors, and equipping children and community members with the tools to recognize and prevent sex trafficking. By addressing this critical issue head-on, we aim to protect children and reduce exploitation in our communities.
Postvention Education and Crisis Response Program
This program is a timely and compassionate initiative developed to support schools and community organizations in the aftermath of sexual violence crises. Activated after mandatory reporting to DCF and the completion of police investigations, the program provides tailored education, trauma-informed counseling, and advocacy to address the unique needs of youth-serving organizations and their communities.
Trauma Recovery Clinic
We offer long-term, outpatient therapy to HUSKY-insured adults experiencing any form of trauma—examples include sexual assault, domestic violence, gun violence, homelessness, addiction, racism, and combat trauma. This initiative addresses a significant gap in Connecticut’s mental health care system, particularly for low-income and marginalized populations across the State.
