RACES outlines services, events and a 24/7 hotline as Urbana proclaims Sexual Assault Awareness Month

RACES (Rape Advocacy, Counseling and Education Services) staff briefed council on local services and events as the city proclaimed April Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"My name is Jaya Colasetti. I'm the executive director at RACES," Jaya Colasetti told council and introduced the agency’s array of confidential services, from a crisis hotline to legal advocacy and counseling available across four counties. RACES emphasized the hotline number: "(217) 384-4444," attendees were told.

Presenters said their confidentiality protections are robust — described in testimony as an "absolute privilege" for client records except where a waiver or mandated reporting applies — and that the organization offers therapy for youths with age-based consent rules: clients 12–16 may access limited sessions without guardian consent while older teens and adults may access therapy without guardians.

Several public commenters, including Katina Wilcher and Bonnie Miller, expressed strong support for the mayor’s youth engagement vision and urged the city to invest in safe spaces to reduce youth violence. Wilcher said the proposed community spaces could help "break down and dismantle some of the barriers that lie between our youth as well as our law enforcement." Bonnie Miller urged council to "give this opportunity to change Urbana." Denitra Harris and Sean Williams recounted personal experiences and encouraged trusted-adult programs and data-driven approaches.

RACES shared its event calendar for April — including a Take Back the Narrative event and Healing Through the Senses programming — and said printed calendars and online event listings are available at cu-races.org. No council action was required; council extended the presenters' time to answer questions about training and partnerships.