Sexual assault survivors will soon have a statewide, confidential 24-hour hotline where they can anonymously find help, including counseling and other resources.
“It’s critically important that all survivors of sexual assault have somewhere safe to turn for help,” Sue Snyder stated in a news release. “This hotline will connect survivors with a caring, trained professional who can help provide them with the immediate and long-term support they need to begin their journey toward healing.”
The toll-free hotline will be staffed by trained counselors and sexual assault service providers. Those seeking help will be connected with counseling, advocacy, medical and forensic services, as well as local resources for long-term support programs.
“As we continue our work to change the culture surrounding sexual assault in Michigan, it’s equally important that we support the brave survivors who reach out for help,” Gov. Rick Snyder said. “Developing this anonymous hotline is an important step toward ensuring every survivor in Michigan has access to safe and confidential support services.”
The hotline will be led, advised and funded by the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, with day-to-day operations conducted by the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. The hotline number and launch date will be announced in the coming weeks.
“This hotline is an important way to reach sexual assault survivors throughout Michigan and provide them with counseling and resources from highly trained, supportive individuals,” said Debi Cain, director of the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board. “So many survivors have kept what happened to them a secret—sometimes for many years—feeling they have no safe place to call for help. It’s encouraging to see a widespread, accessible resource in Michigan that will help survivors receive help to start healing.”
Sarah Prout Rennie, executive director of the coalition, said the statewide crisis intervention will “make sure survivors are given the dignity and respect to which they are entitled.”