The Crisis Center was part of the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office, which is located next to Parkland. He also allowed James to expand treatment to include children who were victims of sexual abuse. In the early 1970s, most people misunderstood the crime of rape, and helping victims wasn't popular, James said. People saw rape as a sexual act and they assigned the responsibility for the crime to the victims. With education, the public is beginning to understand the true nature of the crime, she said.
Rape is a crime of violence.
A rapist doesn't rape to satisfy a sexual urge any more than alcoholics drink because they are thirsty. The Crisis Center has often been cited as among the nation's leading rape crisis programs and has gained a national reputation for its sensitive treatment of victims. Other centers have copied the Dallas rape evidence kit, training manual and counseling model, James said. The center operates a 24-hour crisis line, and counselors are available 24 hours a day to respond to acute cases.