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Sexual violence is the use of sexual actions and words that are unwanted by and/or harmful to another person. Some of these actions are defined as crimes by Minnesota statutes. Some experiences of sexual violence are hurtful violations of personal boundaries but may not rise to the level of a crime. However, that does not diminish the victim’s experience of being harmed. Sexual violence is widespread. Sexual violence is wrong and harmful.
Sexual violence is a term used to include the many types of sexual harm including:
- Alcohol-Facilitated Sexual Assault
- Child Pornography
- Child Sexual Abuse/Grooming
- Exposure
- Incest
- Online bullying
- Peeping/Voyeurism
- Public Masturbation
- Revenge Porn
- Sexual Assault/Rape
- Sexual Exploitation or Exploitation
- Sexual Harassment
- Sex Trafficking
- Sextortion
- Stalking/Cyberstalking
- Threats
- Unwanted or Inappropriate Sexual Contact (including bullying and/or hazing)
- Unwanted touching
Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the individual it is occurring against. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities such as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, rape and attempted rape.
Sexual Exploitation
Sexual exploitation occurs when anything of value or a promise of anything of value (e.g., money, drugs, food, shelter, rent, or higher status in a gang or group) is given to a person by any means in exchange for any type of sexual activity. A third party may or may not be involved.
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation is a type of sexual abuse. Children in an exploitative situation may receive anything of value or the promise of gifts, money, drugs, food, a place to stay, rent, a higher status in a gang or group, or affection for engaging in sexual activities or having others engage in sexual activities upon them. This can occur in-person or online, including sharing on social media. Sexual exploitation includes involving children or youth with the intent of creating or sharing sexually explicit content or child pornography. A third party may or may not be involved.
Someplace Safe offers specialized services to assist youth in these situations.
Where can Sexual Violence Occur?
Sexual violence does not discriminate. Individuals of all ages and from all walks of life can be victims. Perpetrators may be anyone including family members, strangers, acquaintances, spouses or other intimate partners, someone of the same sex or another sex, or professionals and individuals in positions of authority such as counselors, clergy, educators or medical personnel.
Sexual violence can occur in various settings, including domestic environments, workplaces, educational institutions,or public spaces.
Force can be accomplished anytime by physical assault, threats, manipulation, coercion, or trickery. The assailant’s goal in using any kind of force, physical or emotional, is to make the intended victim vulnerable and less able to protect themselves.
Who Can Be Perpetrators?
Perpetrators can be anyone. Perpetrators can be acquaintances, partners, friends, family members, strangers, spouses, intimate partners, or individuals in positions of power.
They can be someone of the opposite sex or someone of the same sex or professionals such as a counselor, teacher, coach, clergy, or medical personnel. Sexual violence occurs within all industries and professions.
Physiological Effects of Sexual Violence
Sexual assault can be a humiliating, terrifying, and often brutal crime that violates an individual in the most intimate way. Whether a survivor knows or does not know the assailant, the fear and terror can feel the same. In certain situations, survivors say their fear of being killed during the assault may have been stronger than their fear of being raped.
The motive for sexual assault is not a need for sexual gratification, but the desire to overpower, dominate, humiliate, or hurt another person. Sex is not the motivator, but the tool of that harm. See Types of Sexual Violence for details on different aspects of sexual assault.
The consequences of sexual violence can have lasting physical, psychological, and emotional effects on the survivor. It is essential to provide support, resources, and survivor-centered services to those who have experienced sexual violence as soon as they are ready.
Normal Response to Sexual Violence
When someone you know or care about has been assaulted, it is normal for you to feel upset and confused. At a time when you may want to help most, you will be dealing with a crisis of your own. This guide may help you know what you can do to support a survivor of sexual assault.
Supporting a Survivor
Supporting survivors of sexual and exploitation violence is crucial in helping them heal, regain control over their lives, and rebuild their sense of security. Here are some ways you can offer support:
Believe and Validate
Listen to survivors with empathy and believe their experiences without question. Avoid judgment or disbelief. Validate their feelings and affirm their courage in sharing their stories.
Reassure Them, They Are Not to Blame
Whatever the circumstances, they were not looking for or asking to be assaulted. It is very common for a survivor of sexual assault to blame themselves. Reassure them that the blame for rape rests squarely and only with the assailant. Let them know that they had no way of knowing what would have happened if they had acted differently.
Blaming questions such as, “Why didn’t you scream?” or “Why did you go there?” are not helpful. Instead, you might say, “It’s difficult to scream when you are frightened,” or “Going someplace unfamiliar is risky, but you were not asking to be assaulted.”
Respect the Survivor
Respect their fear. Assailants commonly threaten to kill or seriously harm the survivor if they do not comply. Many feared that they would not survive the assault. This fear does not go away when the assailant does. This fear is real. Help them deal with it by finding ways to increase their safety.
Stay with them
Stay with them as long as they want you to. One of the most upsetting losses experienced by rape survivors is the loss of independence and solitude. For a while, many feel too frightened and vulnerable to endure being alone. Meanwhile, be good company.
Respect Autonomy
Respect survivors’ decisions and choices regarding their healing journey. Let them have control over their own narrative and the support they wish to receive.
Let the Survivors Make their Own Decisions
Do not pressure them into making decisions or doing things they are not ready to do. Help them explore all the options. It is essential to respect their confidentiality.
Offer Emotional Support By Listening
Provide a safe and supportive environment for survivors to express their emotions. Encourage them to seek counseling or therapy, and be understanding and patient as they process their trauma.
Respect Privacy and Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality regarding survivors’ personal information and experiences. Respect their privacy and do not share their stories without their explicit consent. Let them decide who knows about the sexual assault.
Educate Yourself
Learn about the dynamics of sexual and exploitation violence, the impact on survivors, and available resources. This knowledge will help you provide informed and compassionate support.
Advocate for Change
Offer support and/or volunteer at Someplace Safe and other initiatives that are working to address sexual and exploitation violence. Advocate for policies and laws that protect survivors’ rights increase awareness, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Offer Practical Support
Help survivors access practical resources such as shelter, legal aid, healthcare, or employment assistance. Offer assistance with daily tasks, childcare, transportation, or other immediate needs as they arise.
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Every survivor’s needs are unique, so it’s essential to respect their individual experiences and choices.
Someplace Safe Response to Sexual Violence
Someplace Safe provides sexual violence support and advocacy services to victims and survivors in an accessible, culturally appropriate and meaningful way, better enabling survivors from varied backgrounds, counties of origin, immigration statuses and ethnicities (populations who historically access crime victim services at lower rates than the general population) the ability to obtain access to appropriate resources needed to recover from crime.
Someplace Safe has a long standing and well-respected history of providing crime victim services and is regarded as an expert in best practices and strategies by systems professionals, survivors and community members.
Services for sexual violence victims and survivors are trauma-informed and victim-centered, empowering clients to choose options best suited for their situation.
Services for survivors include:
- Crisis intervention
- Legal advocacy and navigation of court systems
- Medical advocacy, forensic exam and medical appointment accompaniment
- Safety planning
- Emergency housing
- Resources
- Referrals to community agencies
Someplace Safe provides services based on clients’ self-defined goals and gauges success based on clients successfully meeting those goals.
Seek Help
Due to the diverse nature of these crimes, trauma-informed advocacy services will be provided based on the self-defined needs of the survivor(s). Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, their family, and support system regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability.
The Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is operated by staff and/or volunteers who have been trained to help victims and survivors of crime cope with a wide range of needs and responses to victimization. All advocacy services provided by Someplace Safe are completely free and confidential.
Someplace Safe provides services based on clients’ self-defined goals and gauges success based on clients successfully meeting those goals.
Someplace Safe Crisis Line: 1-800-974-3359
Email: info@someplacesafe.info
Services Available to Victims and Survivors of Crime
The Crime Victim Advocacy program of Someplace Safe is provided by staff trained to assist survivors of crime, their families and support systems. Advocates are trained staff and volunteers who offer help to survivors, families, and friends who have been affected by crime or violence.
Advocacy services are available to any survivor of a crime, regardless of race, color, economic status, religion, familial status, parenthood, national origin, place of residence, political affiliation, disability, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, social status, gender, sexual orientation, age, or physical ability. Accessible services are available. Accessibility includes interpreters (foreign language and DHH), live chat, and text.
*Staff are mandated by law to report information regarding child abuse or certain situations involving vulnerable adults.
Advocacy services are free and confidential and include:
24-Hour Crisis Line
Someplace Safe operates an emergency crisis line, answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The line is staffed by individuals trained to listen, offer information, and make referrals to emergency agencies if necessary.
Civil/Legal Assistance
Staff may help guide survivors by providing options within the legal and court system. This may include assistance in filing protective orders and/ or accompaniment to court hearings.
Assistance through the Criminal Court Process
Staff can assist with answering questions, criminal court tracking and accompaniment throughout the court process. Assistance and information is available on a variety of topics, including reparations, restitution, Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements.
Hospital or Law Enforcement Accompaniment
Staff are available to assist survivors of crime in emergency situations at local hospitals/clinics, emergency rooms, or law enforcement centers.
Short-Term Emergency Placement (S.T.E.P.S.)
S.T.E.P.S. may be available for survivors of crime who require short- term emergency housing due to an immediate crisis or victimization. A screening and intake process is required.
Support & Empowerment Groups
Various groups offer a supportive environment in which survivors can explore, discuss and understand the impact and dynamics of violence with other survivors.
Parenting Time Centers
Parenting Time Centers provide safe, neutral environments to visit or exchange children. Intakes are required. A sliding fee scale applies for services. Services include contact exchanges, visitation scheduling, supervised phone calls and Skype. Please contact the Parenting Time Center at 218-739-3132 for intake information and locations.
Community Thrift Stores
Someplace Safe operates Thrift Stores. The stores are open to the public for shopping and donations. Clients in need may qualify for vouchers for items. Contact a local advocate for more details.