Lancaster County Children's OASIS (Organizations Allied for Safety Intervention and Support) provides interviews and medical examinations for children who are suspected of being sexually abused. As a designated Children's Advocacy Center, Oasis is a comprehensive, child-focused program based in a facility that allows law enforcement, child protection professionals, prosecutors, victim advocates, and the mental health and medical communities to come together as a team to avoid the child having to respond to multiple interviews. Our goal is to make sure that children are not further victimized by systems designed to protect them.

 

OASIS cannot directly schedule the appointment for your child. Appointments are made by the police or child protection investigators. If it is an emergency, the police or child protective services will work with you to have your child attended outside of out normal office hours. To report suspected abuse, call Child Line at 800 932 0313.

 

Children can get tired of answering questions. Please don't question your child before coming to OASIS. You can tell your child OASIS is a safe place to talk about what happened. You can tell your child that many people come to OASIS, and it's okay to talk to the people there. Children can express themselves with feelings, words and behaviors. If you notice changes in your child's behavior, your child may need help to talk. Listen. Respect your child's feelings. Remember, whatever your child is feeling is normal for your child. It may be hard for your child to talk to you about things that are personal, painful, or embarrassing. Help your child identify safe people to talk to.

 

The interviewers are trained to understand children's' language and development. The forensic interview is digitally recorded and copied to a DVD, which is considered evidence and given directly to the assigned investigators.The only people allowed to observe the interview are police, children and youth, prosecutorsandmedical professionals.

It is difficult for families when children are harmed. it is important to express your feelings without confusing or frightening your child. You may tell your child that you are angry about what happened- but you are not angry with your child. It may be helpful to talk about your feelings with adults who will listen. You and your family may find counseling helpful.The YWCA Sexual Assault Prevention & Counseling Center has a 24- hour hotline (717) 392-7273.

 

There is no cost to the family to have your child forensically interviewed or medically examined.  Your insurance company may be billed for the medical examination or you can chose to have the cost of the examination and forensic interview be billed to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). 

 

OASIS was established in 2006 as a community response to allegations of child sexual abuse.

 

The OASIS team consists of the District Attorney's Office of Lancaster; Lancaster County Children and Youth; the Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center; and Lancaster General Hospital. The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE) have been trained to provide pediatric sexual assault exams for incidents which occurred less than 72 hours ago. The National Children's Alliance (NCA) recognized OASIS as an Associate Member in March of 2007. At the same time, OASIS received a contract to provide services on a full time basis.

 

OASIS is located directly across the street from Lancaster General Hospital at 531 North Lime Street. 

 
Parking: Parking is available behind 531 North Lime Street.  Make a right onto Frederick Street from North Lime Street. Make first right onto Jefferson Street (alley). Follow 3/4 through alley and make right into the OASIS/HBP/NFP lot.  Overflow parking is available at the Lancaster General Lime Street Parking Lot C. Please bring ticket with you to be validated.