Resources

SafeHouse Services are all free, confidential, and inclusive. We provide: What is sexual  24 Hour HelpLine: 734-995-5444 assault? Sexual  Help getting a protection order  Legal advocacy assault is when there  Counseling Sexual Assault  Safety Planning is sexual contact:  Support Groups  Shelter in LGBTIQ • Without consent.

• With the use of coercion, physical Local Resources: Communities force, deception or threat.  Community Center • When the victim/survivor is 734-995-9867 mentally or physically incapacitated, http://www.wrap-up.org/ intoxicated or impaired, asleep or  The Neutral Zone unconscious. (734) 214-9995 • Sexual assault can be touching or http://www.neutral-zone.org/  Pride Zone at Ozone any type of sexual penetration (oral, Center (734)662-2265 A Resource for , anal or vaginal) with any body part or http://ozonehouse.org/programs , Bisexual, object. /queerzone.php  Spectrum Center , Intersex, 734-763-4186 http://spectrumcenter.umich.edu Queer, and Questioning SafeHouse Center recognizes that (U of M affiliate resource) sexual assault occurs by and against Survivors of Sexual Assault all genders and across all sexual Resources: orientations. We work to end the  Michigan Coalition to End oppression of all people as well as Domestic Violence & Sexual value and celebrate the diversity of Violence 517-347-7000 our community. SafeHouse Center www.mcedsv.org also strives to protect the rights of  313-537-7000 everyone. equalitymi.org

National Resources:

 National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1- 800-656-HOPE http://www.rainn.org/

Information provided by SafeHouse Center and the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

What can I do if I have Common fears of What are your rights? been sexually assaulted? LGBTIQ survivors of You have the right to: • Be treated with dignity and respect in sexual assault: regards to your gender identity and/or sexual • Talk to someone you trust: You can ask • Not being taken seriously or having orientation and as a survivor. for what you need from them, “I just need their experience minimized. •Sexual assault survivors have the right to for you to listen” or “I just need someone • Having their experience sensationalized. an immediate and comprehensive to be here while I sleep so I can feel safe.” • Having to explain how the assault medical–legal examination by a trained

happened in more detail than necessary. professional. Every survivor should be • Sexual assault exam/health care: A • Being blamed for the assault. given respectful care from the healthcare Nurse Examiner Program can provide a • Being treated in a homo, trans or bi- system. forensic exam, pregnancy prevention, phobic manner by police, hospital or rape • Sensitivity towards you as a survivor of antibiotics to treat some STIs, information crisis center. sexual assault by medical and legal about sexual assault support services and • Mistakenly being perceived as the personnel. the criminal justice process, and future perpetrator. • Turn down an interview with the police testimony in a sexual assault • Being “outed.” or reschedule for time when you feel court case. They can help you figure out • If the survivor’s community is small, the better to participate what steps you might like to take initially fear of other’s skepticism or people • Not participate with the criminal justice since making a decision right after an “taking sides” may cause the survivor to process assault can be difficult. If you believe you keep silent. • Ask questions to the police, sexual could have contracted HIV during the • The survivor’s guilt and self-blame may assault nurse examiner, and attorney. assault, talk to the nurse or emergency lead them to question their sexual identity room. If you are not given assistance, call How can I help my friend and sexuality. your local HIV/AIDS • Gay/bi male survivors may fear agency. (HIV/AIDS Resource Center 734- or partner? reporting due to the stereotype that they 572-9355) • Believe they have been sexually are promiscuous assaulted. • Lesbian/bi women survivors may fear • Criminal Prosecution: If you are • Respect their need for confidentiality. reporting because women are not interested in criminal prosecution the first • Avoid judgmental comments/jokes. typically viewed as perpetrators of sexual step is to file a police report. You can • Ask how you can assist rather than violence. always change your mind about giving advice. participation later. Sexual assault is not bound by sexual • Respect their decisions even when yours orientation or gender. It is a matter of may be different. • Report Discrimination: Contact Equality consent. It is not defined by you saying or • Be a good listener. Michigan (equalitymi.org) at 1-866-962- NOT saying “no.” If someone forces or coerces • Avoid pressure to resume sexual activity. 1147or (313) 537-7000 to get legal you to do something sexual you don’t want to Let the survivor initiate sexual contact. assistance and report a hate crime. You do, that is sexual assault. Sexual assault can • Offer your unconditional love and can also call the SafeHouse Center Hotline, happen by a stranger, friend, family member, support. 734-995-54444 24 hours a day, 7 days a date or partner. The person who CAUSES and therefore invited the sexual assault week. sexual assault is the perpetrator/assailant. It upon themselves. is NEVER the survivor’s fault.