What if I knew the person who assaulted me?

Sexual assault can be committed by someone you know, including a partner, spouse, friend, acquaintance, or family member. Knowing the person does not make unwanted sexual activity consensual.

What if I did not fight back?

Not fighting back does not mean that you consented. Fear, threats, physical force, or concern for your safety can affect how you respond. Whatever you did to survive the situation does not make the assault your fault.

What if I cooperated because I was afraid?

Cooperation is not consent. A person may cooperate because they fear injury or death. Doing what you believed was necessary to survive does not mean you agreed to the sexual activity.

Can men receive sexual assault services?

Yes. ACT states that it provides sexual assault services to both male and female survivors.

Can my family or friends receive support?

Yes. ACT refers to people close to a survivor who are affected by the assault as secondary victims. ACT offers counseling to help family members and loved ones process what happened and learn how to support the survivor.

What services does ACT provide after sexual assault?

ACT currently lists: - A 24-hour helpline - Individual counseling - Group counseling - Therapy - Forensic examinations - Support for family and friends

Are sexual assault services free?

ACT states that its sexual assault services are provided free of charge.

Do I have to report the assault before I can ask for help?

You can call ACT to ask questions about available services and reporting options. Reporting requirements and options can depend on the circumstances, age of the person involved, and applicable law. An advocate can help you understand what may apply to your situation.

Sexual Assault

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Sexual assault can take many forms

Sexual assault includes unwanted sexual activity directed toward another person. It may involve physical force, threats, intimidation, manipulation, or other forms of pressure.

Sexual assault can happen to women, men, and children, and the person responsible may be someone the survivor knows.

Learn to recognize the signs

Understand common warning signs and dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, teen dating violence, and related forms of abuse.

Unwanted sexual contact

Any sexual touching or activity that happens without a person’s consent.

Force or threats

A person may use physical force, threats of harm, intimidation, or a weapon.

Pressure or manipulation

Sexual activity may be unwanted even when physical force is not used.

Assault by someone you know

Sexual assault can be committed by a partner, spouse, acquaintance, friend, family member, or another person known to the survivor.

Sexual violence can affect anyone

Sexual assault can happen to people of any gender or age.

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Your response does not have to look a certain way

Sexual assault can be unexpected, traumatic, frightening, and sometimes life-threatening. There is no single “right” way to respond during or after an assault.

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What you did to survive was valid

You may have fought, frozen, complied, tried to calm the person, or responded in another way. Survival does not equal consent.

You may know the person

An assault is still sexual assault when the person responsible is a partner, spouse, friend, acquaintance, or someone else you know.

You can ask for help

You can contact ACT to talk through what happened, learn about services, or ask questions about your options.

People close to you may need support too

Family members, partners, friends, and loved ones can also be affected. ACT provides counseling and education to help them understand sexual violence and support the survivor.

Important Note: You do not need to have everything figured out before asking for help.

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You can take one step at a time

Healing doesn’t happen all at once. We are here to support you at every stage, from immediate safety to long-term recovery.

Talk with an advocate

Ask questions, talk about what happened, and learn about the services available to you.

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Ask about medical and forensic care

ACT provides forensic examinations and can help you understand what services may be available after a sexual assault.

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Find counseling and support

ACT provides individual counseling, group counseling, and therapy for people affected by sexual assault.

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Find somewhere safer to stay

If you are concerned about your immediate safety or need somewhere else to go, explore shelter and safety resources.

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Education, training, and community outreach

Here are the three primary paths you can explore.

Professional education

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In-service trainings
Professional seminars
Agency presentations
Specialized topic education
Prevention and awareness training

Schools and community programs

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Document physical harm or sexual assault with specialized medical staff in a supportive environment.

Medical exams by specialists
Injury documentation
Evidence collection (if desired)
Support with medical follow-up

Prevention and awareness

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Domestic violence education
Sexual assault education
Human trafficking awareness
Teen dating violence prevention
Bystander education
Bullying prevention

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Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about our services and your safety.

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Thinking about reporting?

You may have questions about medical care, forensic examinations, law enforcement, or what happens if you decide to report.
You do not have to figure out those questions alone.

An ACT advocate can talk with you about available options.

Talk with an advocate

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Start by talking through what happened and what you would like to know.

An advocate can provide information and help you identify possible next steps.

Ask about medical and forensic care

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ACT provides forensic examinations for sexual assault survivors.

Contact ACT to learn what services are currently available, where to go, and what you can expect.

Contact law enforcement

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If you are in immediate danger, call 911 if it is safe to do so.

If you are considering making a report, an advocate can help you understand available resources and prepare questions about the process.

You are not alone

In Immediate Danger?

Supporting reassurance