The FIRST Collaboration
Improving Services and Responses for Survivors of Sexual Violence with Disabilities
People with disabilities are targeted for sexual violence. They are three times as likely to suffer rape or sexual assault compared to people without disabilities. Clove Alliance created the FIRST Collaboration to take on this issue in our communities and better support survivors with disabilities.
Bringing Together Service Providers
The FIRST Collaboration is a collective initiative that brings together disability service providers from our community to improve services and responses to survivors of sexual violence. It began in late 2023 with members representing organizations rooted in Kankakee, Ford, and Iroquois counties.
Goals
- Ensure all individuals with disabilities will be guaranteed a safe environment free from sexual violence.
- Empower survivors with disabilities to speak and act for themselves.
Work
The FIRST Collaboration is in its early stages and is already making great steps towards our goals. Examples include creating resources and guides for service providers, reviewing community needs and strategizing how to meet them, coordinating an annual training available to the community, and reviewing organizations’ policies and protocols.
Membership
We welcome any agency, organization, or group supporting people with disabilities to join the FIRST Collaboration. If interested, please contact Kerrie Blanton at [email protected] or 815.932.7273.
Current Members
Community Resources Counseling Center (CRCC)