OUR PROGRAMMING IS:
Survivor-Led
At the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, we know that survivors lead the way. The movement that resulted in the first Rape Crisis Centers in the 1970s was led by and built by survivors. Today, not only do survivors shape the services they receive from advocates, but all of MECASA’s staff and 68% of sexual assault support center staff have experienced some kind of sexual violence* themselves.
We're never done listening to sexual violence survivors - if you have received services at one of our centers, tell us about your experience and needs here!
* “Sexual Violence” is a non-legal, umbrella term that covers many types of coercive sexual contact, including sexual assault, exploitation, harassment, unwanted touching, and more.
At the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, we know that survivors lead the way. The movement that resulted in the first Rape Crisis Centers in the 1970s was led by and built by survivors. Today, not only do survivors shape the services they receive from advocates, but all of MECASA’s staff and 68% of sexual assault support center staff have experienced some kind of sexual violence* themselves.
We're never done listening to sexual violence survivors - if you have received services at one of our centers, tell us about your experience and needs here!
* “Sexual Violence” is a non-legal, umbrella term that covers many types of coercive sexual contact, including sexual assault, exploitation, harassment, unwanted touching, and more.
Collaboratively Built
We know that survivors are best served by advocates who understand their unique lived experiences, and we are committed to finding collaborative solutions that build capacity within all of Maine’s communities. We have built relationships with organizations across our state to better serve Indigenous people and people of color, active and retired military personnel, transgender people, people with disabilities, older adults, and immigrants.
If you are a member of a community you feel could be better served or work for an organization that is interested in supporting survivors in your community, we would love to talk to you!
We know that survivors are best served by advocates who understand their unique lived experiences, and we are committed to finding collaborative solutions that build capacity within all of Maine’s communities. We have built relationships with organizations across our state to better serve Indigenous people and people of color, active and retired military personnel, transgender people, people with disabilities, older adults, and immigrants.
If you are a member of a community you feel could be better served or work for an organization that is interested in supporting survivors in your community, we would love to talk to you!
Focused on The Big Picture
Recognizing that the risk for experiencing sexual violence increases with other vulnerabilities, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault works to meet needs that would otherwise hinder healing. We support culture and policy changes that work to end poverty and oppression for all Maine people.
Alongside culturally-sensitive services provided by advocates in the survivor’s community, MECASA also administers a Sexual Assault Survivor Fund and a Human Trafficking Survivor Fund that provides funds to meet immediate needs for food, clothing, shelter, medicine, childcare, and transportation – filling gaps that would otherwise go unmet.
Recognizing that the risk for experiencing sexual violence increases with other vulnerabilities, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault works to meet needs that would otherwise hinder healing. We support culture and policy changes that work to end poverty and oppression for all Maine people.
Alongside culturally-sensitive services provided by advocates in the survivor’s community, MECASA also administers a Sexual Assault Survivor Fund and a Human Trafficking Survivor Fund that provides funds to meet immediate needs for food, clothing, shelter, medicine, childcare, and transportation – filling gaps that would otherwise go unmet.
YOU MAY ALSO KNOW US AS...
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The Maine Network of Children's Advocacy Centers
The Network is a membership organization committed to promoting Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) and supporting existing and emerging centers. The Network promotes the development, growth, and utilization of CACs and multi-disciplinary teams to more effectively respond to Maine’s sexually abused children and their families. The Network provides statewide representation and support for Maine’s local Children’s Advocacy Centers including resource sharing and mentoring, technical assistance, public policy advocacy, and statewide communication. The Network also sends out a monthly resource round up of news and new resources and research. More information can be found at cacmaine.org. |
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The Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network
The Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network provides training, technical assistance, and resources to direct service providers engaged in anti-trafficking efforts in Maine, as well as community awareness and public policy support. The effort is supported by a statewide Sex Trafficking Provider Council. Maine STEN also engages in other human trafficking programmatic efforts, such as managing a victim’s support fund, developing a volunteer bank, a bi-weekly news and resource roundup, and a human trafficking-specific media packet for Maine journalists. For more information, visit mainesten.org. |
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The Children’s Safety Partnership
Maine’s Public Law 20-A MRS §254, sub-§18 requires that all school districts in Maine with public pre-K through grade 5 programs have a written policy for child sexual abuse prevention education and response. In 2018, the Maine Department of Education (DOE) created a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Education and Response Model Policy to support schools to implement effective child sexual abuse prevention policies. The Children’s Safety Partnership (CSP) was created to support schools and communities in these efforts. The Partnership formed an online toolkit with information for parents, teachers, administrators, schools, and communities for implementing Maine’s law, and responding to and preventing child sexual abuse. The Partnership is a program of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault in partnership with the Maine Department of Education, Maine’s sexual assault service providers, and local schools across the state. |
