Established in 1974 at Santa Monica Hospital, the Rape Treatment Center (RTC) is recognized internationally for its pioneering work and exemplary treatment, prevention, and education programs. The RTC has had a leadership role in advancing policy reforms, creating multi-agency partnerships, and developing innovative service delivery models to help bring justice and compassionate care to victims wherever they turn for help.

State-of-the-Art, Comprehensive Services for Victims

The Rape Foundation supports the comprehensive, state-of-the-art free services the Rape Treatment Center provides for sexual assault victims – adults and children – 24 hours a day, including highly specialized emergency medical care, forensic/evidentiary services, crisis counseling, advocacy, accompaniment, and information about rights and options to help victims make informed choices and decisions. The RTC also provides ongoing, longer-term, trauma-informed therapy and other support services for victims and their significant others.

Pioneering Models to Enhance Victim Care

The Rape Foundation established the Rape Treatment Center’s Verna Harrah Clinic at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center in 1999, an innovative, highly specialized Clinic that transformed 24-hour emergency care for sexual assault victims. In most communities, sexual assault victims who seek immediate treatment and forensic services – adults and childrenare seen in busy hospital emergency departments where they are often subjected to long waits to receive care. The Verna Harrah Clinic is dedicated exclusively to sexual assault victim care 24 hours a day. It is located within the hospital, in a private, safe, therapeutic setting. The Clinic is staffed by highly trained professionals with specialized expertise in the medical, forensic, and psychological aspects of victim care. It is a model for the nation.

They took amazing care of me — they treated my injuries, they collected all of the evidence, and they started to help heal my shattered self.

– Zoe

Learn about Stuart House an innovative, model program created to serve the special needs of sexually abused children and their families.