Did you know? Our services are...
EXPANSIVE Our programs aren’t just for sexual assault. We also support people who are experiencing stalking, sexual harassment, sex exploitation, and human trafficking. Even if it’s not a crime. Even if you’re not sure what to call it. Just last year MECASA programs served over 200 individuals who experienced human trafficking and sex exploitation. |
EVERYWHERE Advocates meet people all over their communities – last year nearly half (43%) of sexual assault support center clients received at least one service in person. The rest? – via phone or videochat! Whatever your comfort level, there’s an option. Advocates care about ensuring services work for the people they serve. Last year, 97% of clients surveyed said the time and places of the services worked for them. |
FOR MORE THAN JUST SURVIVORS Sexual violence can impact many people – family, friends, and even professionals who are part of supporting survivors and loved ones. Help is available for anyone affected by sexual violence, even indirectly. Last year advocates supported over 1,700 loved ones (and many more professionals!) as they healed from the impacts of trauma in their communities. |
UNIQUE Advocates have a unique job - to listen and believe survivors. Even though their job is to listen, they also know a lot about healthcare, legal systems, and mental health services. Advocates provide information, but they never try to persuade people to do anything. Their job is to listen to your needs, offer information to help you make informed choices, and support you in following whatever paths you choose. |
BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER Life after sexual violence can be isolating. Connecting with other people who have gone through similar experiences can help people heal. Last year, there were over 300 support groups for sexual violence survivors. Groups take all different shapes, last year groups included online chat rooms, book binding groups, trauma-informed yoga, virtual video groups, groups for people who are transgender and non-binary, groups for people who have experienced human trafficking, and groups in jails and prisons. |
CARING Sometimes it can be hard to talk with friends and family about your experience of sexual violence. Advocates are people you can talk with without worrying or feeling like you need to say things a certain way – you can even do it anonymously. Their whole job is to listen, believe, and support you. There are over 100 sexual assault advocates around the state ready to support survivors who need them. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of people surveyed who got help from advocates said they would recommend the services to a friend. |
FLEXIBLE Advocates can help with lots of different things, but it’s up to survivors what kind of support they receive. The most common way advocates help is by listening and talking. Even though many people don’t know what to expect when they pick up the phone, 95% of people advocates talked with said that they received the information or support they needed. |
CONNECTED Advocates are connected to the other people in your community who are part of responding to sexual violence. Last year advocates supported over 1,500 survivors and loved ones to help them navigate systems like the criminal and civil legal system, Title IX, PREA in jails or prisons, and housing. They even went with 850 people and supported them as they attended interviews, court, hospital exams, or other health and justice appointments. |
SUPPORTING NEW MAINERS Immigrants and refugees have to navigate so many challenges – new culture, laws, communities, and financial realities. Getting support from people who share your culture or the experience of being new to Maine can help people feel safe and support their healing. The Immigrant Resource Center of Maine (IRCM) is one of the programs providing sexual violence support in our communities. Last year, IRCM provided culturally and linguistically specific help to 88 sexual violence survivors in Maine. |
CHANGING THE FUTURE Sexual assault service centers have been around for a long time (most of them for more than 30 years!). While core services like the helpline and support groups have stayed the same, centers also work to make sure people don’t experience sexual violence to begin with through education and systems change. Last year prevention efforts around the state reached over 61,000 Mainers. |
EDUCATING YOUR COMMUNITIES Community members have an important role in keeping us all safe. Understanding what sexual violence is and why it happens is an important part of supporting survivors and of preventing it from happening in the future. Last year, sexual assault support centers educated over 9,000 adults about sexual violence. That’s 9,000 people who are now creating healthier and safer communities in your backyard. |
LEARNING & GROWING The identities you hold impact your chances of experiencing sexual violence and the reality of healing and seeking justice after you’ve been hurt. Advocates are working hard to ensure that support is available that meets everyone’s needs and that we’re focusing prevention efforts on the communities that need it most. Part of that work includes partnering with organizations who provide identity specific services, preparing to serve people speaking languages other than English, and ensuring that advocacy and education is accessible to those with disabilities. It also means growing together as we unlearn behaviors and attitudes that have hurt people in our communities and find new and better ways to do our work. |