If you know 3 women, you know a survivor. Statistics now show that 1 in 3 people identifying as women has experienced some type of sexual assault/abuse. This societal stain does not exclusively affect women, though.
Tyler Perry, American actor, filmmaker and playwright, has openly discussed his accounts of sexual abuse as a child. Sexual assault is a large societal stain that seeps in to affect all people within a community. Therefore, it takes investment on everyone’s part to discuss the issue transparently, study methods of prevention, assist in protecting our most vulnerable populations, along with sharing resources out wide for those who may need them.
As April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), we are joining in the campaign to make resources and education on this topic more accessible to more people.
We have listed reputable resources, both nationally and local to the Lansing area, that can help those being victimized, those who have survived and those who want to help end sexual violence in their communities.
Nationally
RAINN
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE,online.rainn.org y rainn.org/es) in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. (courtesy of RAINN’s website)
Joyful Heart
When Mariska Hargitay started playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims’ Unit, the content of the scripts, as well as the work she did to prepare for the role, opened her eyes to the staggering statistics about sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse in the United States.
She received hundreds, then thousands of letters and emails from survivors disclosing their stories of abuse, many for the first time. She wanted to answer—really answer—those letters, to address the suffering they described, and honor acts of courage they represented.
Her response was to create the Joyful Heart Foundation.
Since 2004, Joyful Heart has been a leading national organization with a mission to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever. (Courtesy of Joyful Heart Foundation)
Other resources that specifically help child victims:
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) | www.childhelp.org
Not Alone
Developed by the the White House Task Force to Protect Students From Sexual Assault, NotAlone.govprovides information, tools, and resources for students and schools on how to respond to and prevent sexual assault in schools and on college and university campuses.
Resources for students include information on how to file a complaint, find crisis services, and learn more about their rights. Schools can access information on such topics as legal guidelines, maintaining confidentiality, and developing sexual assault policies and procedures.
The website features a school-by-school enforcement map, which reflects resolved school-level enforcement activities conducted by the Departments of Education and Justice. (Courtesy of Not Alone website)
VictimConnect Resource Center
VictimConnect Resource Center (VCRC) is a weekday phone, chat, and text-based referral helpline operated by the National Center for Victims of Crime. Services are available for all victims of crime in the United States and its territories. Visitors to the hotline receive strength-based and trauma-informed services and referrals in over 200 languages.
The Victim Assistance Specialists receive extensive training and mentoring to provide emotional support, information, and referrals that empower visitors as they navigate the physical, emotional, legal, and financial consequences of crime. Referrals are tailored to individual needs and can be made to local, state, and national organizations. (Courtesy of VictimConnect Resource Center)
Talk to someone now. Call or text directly at 1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) or chat online.
Local to Lansing
Firecracker Foundation
This local foundation, based in Holt, Michigan believes in honoring the bravery of children who have survived sexual trauma by building a community invested in the healing of their whole being.
From their website https://thefirecrackerfoundation.org/about-us/mission-vision/:
We believe child survivors of sexual trauma have a right to heal and equally participate in a community that values their experience without stigma or judgment. We know this in our bones because we believe in the wisdom and resilience of survivors. The Firecracker Foundation will serve as the leader in our community by providing comprehensive services to child survivors and their families, and offer community education by creating a holistic, safe space for the community to support children, families, and advocates.
2450 Delhi Commerce Drive #9 Holt, MI 48842
Women’s Center of Greater Lansing
While this organization serves as a hub to help domestic violence victims with building their lives, at times, they too have been victims of sexual abuse at the hands of a partner. The space does serve any women who need help so those who have endured sexual abuse may find community and solace, here.
The Women’s Center of Greater Lansing is a private non-profit organization that provides support services to women in the Lansing area. Since our doors opened in 2005, we have served more than 8,000 women.
Our services include career counseling and resume preparation, individual counseling, and a wide variety of support groups and workshops.
For more information, please see our services page.
To read personal testimonies from women helped by the Center, please check out our Success Stories.
End Violent Encounters
Founded in 1977, the Council Against Domestic Assault (CADA) began with a group of concerned community members who wanted to help support their family, friends, and neighbors. The Council Against Domestic Assault grew to include Lansing's first domestic violence shelter and supportive services for survivors and their children. In recent years, CADA changed its name to EVE (End Violent Encounters) to reflect EVE's comprehensive services to survivors.
Today, End Violent Encounters has grown to provide supportive services such as advocacy, medical advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, children's programs and community education to survivors of many forms of violence including domestic, sexual, stalking, and elder abuse.
EVE supports domestic and sexual abuse survivors on their journey of healing and empower our community through education and awareness.
EVE, End Violent Encounters is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that provides supportive services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and elder abuse.
EVE is available 24-hours a day if you are in need of immediate services.
All services are free and confidential.
If you are in danger please call 911
Need Services call:
(Courtesy of EVE’s website https://www.eveinc.org)
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