You’re not alone: Haven, partner groups offer support for sexual assault survivors in Gallatin Valley
Did you know? Haven is one of many groups in southwestern Montana that supports survivors of sexual assault. This #Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we’re highlighting our services and those of partners in the area. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you’re not alone.
Links to all of these partner websites: MSU Voice Center, MSU Health Center, MSU Counseling Services, MSU Title IX Office, Sexual Assault Counseling Center, and Gallatin County Victim Services.
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is any nonconsensual sexual act. It can involve the use of force, or it can involve coercion. It can entail exploiting a person who can’t consent because of things like age, intoxication, or mental incapacity.
Consent is critical to healthy sexual activity. The absence of consent, under any circumstance, constitutes assault. What is consent? Here’s an easy-to-remember acronym from our friends at Bridgercare:
Haven advocate Cara talks about an easy way to remember what consent entails.
After an assault: What it might look like; who can support you
Survivors of sexual assault might present with a range of reactions, all of which are normal and okay.
A survivor might also want to get medical help after an assault. That doesn’t have to mean reporting to the police if you don’t want to do that. Here, Bozeman Health’s forensic nurse program lead talks about what this entails.
Bozeman Health’s Emily M. on the services she provides as a forensic nurse.
Survivors can also call Haven. If you’re in crisis:
Our 24-hour support line is 406-586-4111
Text 406-586-4111 from 8 am to 8 pm every day
Webchat – click the “chat now” button on the lower-right-hand of this screen – is also available from 8 am to 8 pm every day
Your discussions with Haven are completely confidential and we don’t report to law enforcement unless you specifically ask for our support with that. You might also be eligible for services that can support you beyond the immediate crisis: Counseling and support groups are just one example of Haven’s free services for survivors.
Haven advocate Cara on what you can expect when you call Haven’s 24-hour support line (406-586-4111).
How you can help
If someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can help by: Listening and believing them and offering resources.
Upcoming events
April is #SexualAssaultAwarenessMonth, and our partners in and around Bozeman do events every year to shine a light on the issue, and on the resources available.
April 9-10 - Take Back the Night events by the VOICE Center at Montana State University
April 26 - Bozeman Monologues - 6:30 pm - The Emerson, Bozeman
Follow Haven on socials (links below) throughout April, to learn more about sexual assault and the resources available to survivors in Gallatin Valley.