April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to call attention to the widespread issue of sexual violence in our communities. A time to raise awareness and educate the public on how to prevent sexual violence.
About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted sexual assault. The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors is dedicated to creating a world free from sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking.
Sexual Violence and Consent:
Sexual Violence is an all-encompassing, non-legal term that refers to crimes like sexual assault, rape, and sexual abuse. It is non-consensual and is accomplished through
threat
coercion
exploitation
deceit
force
physical or mental incapacitation
and/or power of authority
Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. When you’re engaging in sexual activity, consent is about communication—and it should happen every time (RAINN).
Consent cannot be given by individuals who are:
Asleep or unconscious
Incapacitated due to the influence of drugs, alcohol, medications, or other substances
Unable to consent due to a mental or physical condition
under the age of consent
Barriers in Reporting:
Barriers are the leading cause of survivors not reporting sexual violence. Barriers in reporting include but not limited to:
Fear of Stigma
Blame
Fear of Disbelief
Fear of Revenge
Ineffective Policing
Health workers attitudes
Protection of offender
Safety
About Us
The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors is a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to creating a world that is free from sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking.
Our mission is to empower, advocate, and educate those affected by sexual violence. Empowerment allows everyone to improve safety and well-being, equality, and respect within their communities and for themselves. Advocacy allows everyone affected by sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking with a pronounced understanding and respect for their individual needs and rights. Education enables the Center to raise awareness in the greater community about sexual violence, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking by providing information and perspective.
All services provide by The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors are Free and Confidential. These completely free services include individual counseling, support group counseling, medical and court advocacy, a 24/7 crisis hotline, community education, and training.
The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors is hosting our largest annual fundraiser, “Walk in Their Shoes” on April 15th at Peninsula Town Center in Hampton, Virginia. Walk in Their Shoes is a walk in support of Sexual Violence survivors in our communities and raise funds to continue to provide free services to survivors of sexual violence. If you would like to donate or form a team, click here for more information!
If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault feel free to call our 24/7 hotline for free crisis services: 757-236-5260
"Because sexual assault affects us all"
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