Medical Advocacy

When someone is sexually assaulted, they have options about what to do next, including whether or not to go to the hospital for medical care and/or to have a sexual assault evidence collection kit completed. The decision of what option(s) to take is theirs to make, however some options are only available for a short time.

We provide support and advocacy for sexual assault survivors who seek medical treatment at local hospital emergency departments. Whether a survivor wants treatment only, or wishes to have an evidence collection kit completed as well, an advocate can meet them at the hospital and provide support and information while they are there.

Legal Advocacy

Sexual Assault survivors often want to obtain protective orders (restraining orders) to help keep them safe, but the process can be intimidating at times. We can have an advocate meet them at the court and assist them with filling out the paperwork.  We can also go with them to the initial ten-day court hearing, which is scheduled ten days after the protective order application is field and to the final hearing. Our advocates can also meet survivors at police stations when making a report, go with them to court hearings in criminal cases, and/or provide support and information.