April is known as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
From nonprofits to sororities, many organizations try to raise awareness on how others can help those who have experienced assault and know what sexual assault really means.
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According to Michigan.gov, about 85% of sexual assault incidents happen by someone the survivor knows. Perpetrators can target both men and women of all ages. With that in mind, RAINN reports that every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, and only 25 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up behind bars.
When it comes to Michigan, MPHI reports that about 25% of Michiganders do not think that getting consent from their partner is important.
It can take a survivor awhile to come forward with what has happened to them. Sometimes, a trauma response will leave those with a freeze, fight or flight response.
Survivors have a right to be notified by law enforcement in Michigan if the perpetrator of their assault has been arrested or released if a police report has been filed. They may also have the right to ask about the status of their case, and survivors have a right to ask about their evidence kit testing results. Click here to learn more about the criminal process.
RAINN states that there are multiple punishments for criminal sexual conduct in the first degree in the state of Michigan. The charges can vary from imprisonment of any term of years to life in prison.
A traumatic event can exhaust those who have gone through it. Mentally, emotionally and physically, it can wear down a survivor. Content can trigger survivors when consuming any media such as news, social, movies, and TV shows.
RAINN recommend these tips:
- Pay attention to the warnings via TV guides and movie reviews.
- You are in control of what you do. From news to movies, remembering that as a survivor, you can turn on and off any media is crucial.
- For social media, RAINN writes that sharing can be a double-edged sword. Utilizing Reddit and Instagram can give survivors an outlet, but the downside is that your story will be out on the internet. The organization wants to remind survivors that not everyone uses social media for good and that consulting with an organization specializing in comforting those who have been assaulted might be a better fit.
Below are local resources where survivors and loved ones can seek comfort and information.
Macomb County:
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Survivor Empowerment Program
Phone: 586-722-6036 (Sterling Heights location)
24-hour Crisis Line: 833-STAND-4U (833-782-6348)
Phone: 248-451-2600
24-hour Crisis Line: 1-800-231-1127
Phone: 586-463-4430
24-hour Crisis Line: 586-463-6990
Oakland County:
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Survivor Empowerment Program
Phone: 586-722-6036 (Sterling Heights location)
24-hour Crisis Line: 833-STAND-4U (833-782-6348)
Phone: 248-334-1284
24-hour Crisis Line: 248-334-1274 or 877-922-1274
Equality Michigan (Triangle Foundation)
Phone: 313-537-7000
Washtenaw County:
Phone: 248-451-2600
24-hour Crisis Line: 1-800-231-1127
Equality Michigan (Triangle Foundation)
Phone: 313-537-7000
Phone: 734-973-0242
24-hour Crisis Line: 734-995-5444
Wayne County:
Phone: 313-361-4000
24-hour Crisis Line: 888-AFG-3919
Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Survivor Empowerment Program
Phone: 313-296-9838 (Detroit location); 313-216-2202 (Dearborn location)
24-hour Crisis Line: 833-STAND-4U (833-782-6348)
Centro Multicultural La Familia, Inc.
Phone (Call): 248-858-7800
Phone (Text): 248-858-2653
Phone: 248-451-2600
24-hour Crisis Line: 1-800-231-1127
Phone: 1-888-865-7055
Click here to see if there are any convicted sex offenders in your area.