Sexual Assault

Home » Sexual Assault

Experiencing sexual violence transforms people and changes their lives, forever. Sexual Assault is a crime of violence, not sex. Sexual Assault is about power and control, sex is the weapon.

The following facts reflect the magnitude of the problem:

• A sexual assault occurs every 1.6 minutes in this country
• Survivors in Florida range from 2 months to 94 years old
• 80% of sexual assault survivors know their assailant, at least by sight
• 1 in 4 women will be raped in her lifetime
• 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of 13
• 10% – 14% of all married women have been raped by their husbands
• Nearly 1/3 of all rape survivors develop Rape-Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Cooperation DOES NOT mean consent
Rape is NEVER the victim’s fault

Sexual assault is a violent, unexpected, traumatic, and sometimes life threatening experience. Sexual assaults are directed against women, men, and children. Assaults include any type of unwanted sexual activity expressed by one person toward another either overtly or in a subtle manner. If you have experienced this type of assault, it is important for you to remember that… Cooperation is NOT consent!

Perpetrators sometimes use threats of physical harm, physical force or the use of a weapon. The fear of harm or even death may have prompted you to cooperate with the assailant. This does not in any way mean that you consented to the assault. Since rape can feel like… and can often be a life-threatening situation, whatever measure you took to survive was EXACTLY the right thing to do.

ACT provides many services to both male and female victims of sexual assault and secondary victims.

Secondary Victims

 When a person is a victim of a sexual assault or domestic violence, people close to them can be greatly impacted. These people are called secondary victims. A friend, a family member or loved one that is directly impacted by a sexual assault or domestic violence of another person can receive counseling too. Victims can have a difficult time notifying a loved one of their assault. We can help with this difficult time. We also offer counseling to help the secondary victims process what has happened, as well as teach them how to be a support system for their loved one.

We are here for you, 24-hours per day, 7-days per week.

You can call our 24-Hour helpline in Lee County at 239-939-3112.  For Hendry and Glades Counties you can call the toll-free number at 1-888-956-7273 and it will connect you to our helpline.

Services are offered at:

201-4th Street, Fort Myers, FL 33907  8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. After hours (on-call 24-7 by calling 239-939-3112)

133 Bridge Street, Labelle, FL 33935   Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

805 South US Highway 27 #4, Moore Haven, FL Thursdays 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

4040 Palm Beach Boulevard, Fort Myers FL 33916

We provide 24-hour helpline, individual and group counseling and therapy, and forensic examinations.  All services are free of charge.

Additionally, we offer services to family and friends to assist them in better understanding the dynamics of sexual violence.