MECASA develops publications based on the needs of our member centers and statewide partners. Below are links to these publications; many may be printed on a regular printer, but some require professional printing services. Additionally, some of the below publications are also available locally through your sexual assault support center. If you are interested in a MECASA publication and would like us to mail a hard copy to you, please email us and request it!
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Sex Crimes Kits
In 2018, MECASA commissioned a study by the Muskie School of Public Service about the state of forensic exam kits, also known as rape kits or sex crime kits. Click here to read the report and find out what MECASA and our partners are doing in response.
In 2018, MECASA commissioned a study by the Muskie School of Public Service about the state of forensic exam kits, also known as rape kits or sex crime kits. Click here to read the report and find out what MECASA and our partners are doing in response.
MECASA Resources by Topic
Factsheets by topic
MECASA has developed fact sheets with the most updated statistics and local efforts related to different types of sexual violence.
Child Sexual Abuse
Healthy Sexuality
Sexual Violence
Stalking
Child Sexual Abuse
- CSA 101
- Child Sexual Abuse Long Term Consequences
- Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
- Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Healthy Sexuality Resources
Healthy Sexuality
Sexual Violence
- Sexual Violence 101
- Human Trafficking and Commercial Sex Exploitation
- Military Sexual Violence
- Sexual Violence Against Immigrants and Refugees
- Sexual Violence Against Incarcerated Individuals
- Sexual Violence Against Individuals with Disabilities
- Sexual Violence Against LGBTQ+ Individuals
- Sexual Violence Against Native Women and Girls
- Sexual Violence Against Older Adults
Stalking
Survivor resources
We've developed a few documents over the years that are helpful for survivors.
When the Offender is in the Public Eye
This handout is for survivors who are ready to tell their story – when the offender is a public figure. The document lists many considerations and is helpful for both advocates working with survivors and survivors themselves.
Questions to Ask Before Telling Your Story
Coming forward publicly is a big decision, without a lot of information to help predict what youcan expect because each case is different. This document includes some ideas and questions to help you prepare. Some of these questions may be hard to answer, and Maine's sexual assault support centers (who support people who have been sexually harassed and/or sexually assaulted) can talk with you and support you.
LGBTQ+ Medical Screening Guide
Everyone wants a knowledgeable and nonjudemental health care provider. As an LGBTQ+ identified person who is also a survivor of sexual violence, it may feel overwhelming to figure out how to find a provider who is affirming of your identity, understands needs particular to LGBTQ+ patients, and is sensitive to the needs of a trauma survivor. We hope this screening offers some tools for you to find a health care provider you can trust and contributes to your health and well-being.
LGBTQ+ Therapist Screening Guide
As an LGBTQ+ identified person who is also a survivor of sexual violence, it may feel like a lot to figure out how to find a therapist who affirms your identity and understands and is sensitive to your needs. We hope this therapist screening guide is helpful in finding the right therapist for you.
When the Offender is in the Public Eye
This handout is for survivors who are ready to tell their story – when the offender is a public figure. The document lists many considerations and is helpful for both advocates working with survivors and survivors themselves.
Questions to Ask Before Telling Your Story
Coming forward publicly is a big decision, without a lot of information to help predict what youcan expect because each case is different. This document includes some ideas and questions to help you prepare. Some of these questions may be hard to answer, and Maine's sexual assault support centers (who support people who have been sexually harassed and/or sexually assaulted) can talk with you and support you.
LGBTQ+ Medical Screening Guide
Everyone wants a knowledgeable and nonjudemental health care provider. As an LGBTQ+ identified person who is also a survivor of sexual violence, it may feel overwhelming to figure out how to find a provider who is affirming of your identity, understands needs particular to LGBTQ+ patients, and is sensitive to the needs of a trauma survivor. We hope this screening offers some tools for you to find a health care provider you can trust and contributes to your health and well-being.
LGBTQ+ Therapist Screening Guide
As an LGBTQ+ identified person who is also a survivor of sexual violence, it may feel like a lot to figure out how to find a therapist who affirms your identity and understands and is sensitive to your needs. We hope this therapist screening guide is helpful in finding the right therapist for you.
law enforcement & healthcare provider Resources
Healthcare Provider Guides
This handout is meant to assist healthcare providers in assessing for sexual violence victimization in their patients.
Law Enforcement First Response: Guidelines for Adolescent and Adult Sexual Assault
Maine’s Law Enforcement Guidelines detail steps for first responder law enforcement officers to take when they respond to a sexual assault. These guidelines form the basis for the Maine Basic Law Enforcement Officer Training Program’s unit on sexual assault. Created by a statewide committee, the Law Enforcement Guidelines are endorsed by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Maine Prosecutors’ Association, the Maine Sheriffs’ Association, and the Maine State Police.
This handout is meant to assist healthcare providers in assessing for sexual violence victimization in their patients.
Law Enforcement First Response: Guidelines for Adolescent and Adult Sexual Assault
Maine’s Law Enforcement Guidelines detail steps for first responder law enforcement officers to take when they respond to a sexual assault. These guidelines form the basis for the Maine Basic Law Enforcement Officer Training Program’s unit on sexual assault. Created by a statewide committee, the Law Enforcement Guidelines are endorsed by the Maine Chiefs of Police Association, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Maine Prosecutors’ Association, the Maine Sheriffs’ Association, and the Maine State Police.
Journalists' resources
Reporting on Sexual Violence: A Media Guide for Maine Journalists
This guide was created in partnership with editors from Maine’s media outlets and discusses ways to report on sexual violence in clearer, more neutral terms. This document also includes statistics, a language guide, and local and national resources.
2015 Sex Trafficking & Exploitation Media Guide
This guide was developed through MECASA’s program, the Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network, and is intended to inform the reporting on cases where individuals are being trafficked or exploited through force, fraud, coercion, or manipulation, and to distinguish between those cases and all incidents of sex work. This document includes statistics, a language guide, and local and national resources.
This guide was created in partnership with editors from Maine’s media outlets and discusses ways to report on sexual violence in clearer, more neutral terms. This document also includes statistics, a language guide, and local and national resources.
2015 Sex Trafficking & Exploitation Media Guide
This guide was developed through MECASA’s program, the Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network, and is intended to inform the reporting on cases where individuals are being trafficked or exploited through force, fraud, coercion, or manipulation, and to distinguish between those cases and all incidents of sex work. This document includes statistics, a language guide, and local and national resources.
prevention resources
Primary Prevention: The Next Step in Sexual Violence Prevention Education
Though changing social norms has been a part of the anti-sexual violence movement since its beginning in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the term “primary prevention” was not systematically integrated into the work until the nation’s largest public health agency, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), began to address sexual violence in 2001. Thus, though the idea of addressing root causes is a fundamental component of our movement, the idea of addressing sexual violence as a public health issue through primary prevention is still a relatively new concept. This booklet explores those concepts and ways to use primary prevention in sexual violence prevention education efforts.
Though changing social norms has been a part of the anti-sexual violence movement since its beginning in the 1970’s and 1980’s, the term “primary prevention” was not systematically integrated into the work until the nation’s largest public health agency, the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), began to address sexual violence in 2001. Thus, though the idea of addressing root causes is a fundamental component of our movement, the idea of addressing sexual violence as a public health issue through primary prevention is still a relatively new concept. This booklet explores those concepts and ways to use primary prevention in sexual violence prevention education efforts.
screening for in-home care
Maine Guidelines for Screening In-Home Personal Caregivers: A Safety Resource for Individuals, Families, and Agencies
These guidelines are an updated and expanded version of Employer Screening Guidelines created through Project Advance, a project of Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine in 2007. This project was made possible by a grant via the Office of Elder Services and is the result of the hard work and dedication of many people around Maine dedicated to quality and competent care for Maine’s elders and individuals with disabilities who need additional care.
These guidelines are an updated and expanded version of Employer Screening Guidelines created through Project Advance, a project of Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine in 2007. This project was made possible by a grant via the Office of Elder Services and is the result of the hard work and dedication of many people around Maine dedicated to quality and competent care for Maine’s elders and individuals with disabilities who need additional care.