The Onionskin Collective InfoCenter, a statewide telephone referral center for adult survivors of incest or child sexual abuse, will open today in Annapolis.
The center, which can be reached at 1-263-1151, will not provide therapy but will refer clients to legal, medical and financial services.
"We hope to be a one-stop shop for that kind of information," said Gloria Arnold.
An incest victim herself, she is launching the effort as an offshoot of The Onionskin Collective, a support group she began last year for victims of incest and abuse.
The name comes from Ms. Arnold's comparison of her recovery to the peeling back of the layers of an onion.
Ms. Arnold said that after being abused at age 13 by the husband of her oldest sister, she had to strip away the alcoholism, poor self esteem, sexual dysfunctions and failed personal relationships that had grown over the original hurt.
The referral center, which she created with partner David Fulghum, is believed to be the first of its kind in Maryland, she said.
