LEWISTON — Three sexual assault crisis and outreach centers in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties have merged into a single agency, according to the president of the board of directors of the new agency.

Merging are the Rape Education and Crisis Hotline of Oxford County, the Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Androscoggin County and the Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services of Franklin County. The new agency will be called Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, Bill Lowenstein, president of the board of the new agency said in a prepared statement.

“The merger team and the new board spent a great deal of time choosing the name of the new entity,” Lowenstein said. “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services describes exactly what we do—we work to prevent sexual assault from occurring through our prevention education programs. But when sexual assault does occur, we have a wide range of programs to respond to the needs of people affected by it.”

Despite the name change, the agency will continue to do business as SAVES in Franklin County, REACH in Oxford County, and SACC in Androscoggin County, Lowenstein said.

“These names are well known in their communities, and continuing to use the local names will help the services to stay recognizable and accessible to the people who need them,” he said. “In addition, the agency will keep its existing offices in each county and will maintain the current staff in each area.”

Staff will be under the direction of Marty McIntyre, Executive Director of the new agency, the release stated.

The Board of Directors of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services is made up of representatives from Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties.

There will also be an Advisory Council established in each county to provide ongoing input to programming and community support for awareness and fundraising initiatives. Money raised locally will continue to support local programming, while the potential for new grants will provide benefit to all three counties.

“The job of the board will be to set direction for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services and ensure that services remain available throughout the three counties,” Lowenstein said. “Our commitment is to maintain the current level of services and look for opportunities to strengthen and expand programs across the service area.”

To access services through Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, people should call 800-871-7741, or 888-458-5599 TTY. In the Bridgton/Harrison area, people should call 800-213-6937. Cell phone users in Franklin County should call 866-740-9516.

For more information about Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, please call Marty McIntyre at  784-5272.