Wrapping up Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Graphic

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Each week, WSU Health Sciences Spokane will feature blog posts highlighting various issues dealing with sexual assault. This week, we review the month and offer a number of resources.

By Jim Mohr
WSU Spokane

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Over the past month, we’ve posted information on unhealthy and healthy relationships, how men can respond to acts of violence, intimate partner violence in LGBT relationships, and tips to help you respond to a survivor of intimate partner violence and/or sexual assault, to help raise awareness about sexual violence and ways to get help if you are a survivor.

We all have a role to play in preventing sexual violence in our community. Our actions, big and small, have a ripple effect on those we teach, lead, mentor and influence. From modeling healthy behavior to addressing inappropriate conduct, everyone can make a difference. We’ve tried to get the ball rolling by holding activities on campus throughout April like the Red Flag Campaign, the Clothesline Project, a social media awareness campaign around sexual assault, and a resource fair. We hope that you had a chance to participate at some point during the month of April, but if not it’s not too late.

Red Flags

Sexual assault prevention requires many voices and roles. Changing beliefs that contribute to sexual violence starts with believing survivors of sexual violence when they share their stories and being there to support them. You can help by calling out victim-blaming comments or rape jokes if you hear or see them in person or online, and by not perpetuating these comments or jokes by making them yourself. Remind those around you that sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. Seemingly small actions like this make a critical impact. Join us by embracing your role in ending sexual violence. We are stronger together.

For additional resources, information, and help in the Spokane and Yakima areas for students, staff and faculty, please see the following list of resources. There are also some national resources available below.

Spokane Resources

WSU Spokane: Counseling Services

Employee Assistance Program (for WSU Spokane and Yakima employees)

  • The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) helps WA State Government employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems. Using your EAP does not cost you anything. To make an appointment call 1-877-313-4455.
  • More information

WSU Spokane: Campus Security (24-hrs)

  • Dial #40 from any campus phone
  • Phone: (509) 358-7995
  • Security Escort Service: (509) 358-7995 (available 24-hrs)
  • More information

Spokane Police

  • Emergency: 9-1-1
  • Non-emergency: (509) 426-2233

Lutheran Community Services: Sexual Assault & Family Trauma (SAFeT) Response Center

  • SAFeT provides victim-centered services to survivors of sexual violence, including 24-hour crisis line, medical and legal advocacy, information and referral, counseling, support groups and education and prevention.
  • Call the 24-hr Sexual Assault Crisis Line for help at (509) 624-7273
  • Call the 24-hr Crime Victim Crisis Line for help at 1-866-751-7119
  • More information

YWCA Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program in Spokane

  • A 24-hour crisis line and comprehensive domestic violence program for victims and survivors offering free and confidential services. Services include the crisis line, safe shelter, legal advocacy, advocacy based counseling, child advocacy, and support groups. Domestic violence advocates are available for safety planning, help finding community resources and supportive listening.
  • Call the 24-hr Domestic Violence Help Line for help at (509) 326-2255
  • More information

Spokane City Crisis Line

  • Call the 24-hr Crisis Line for help, assistance, and referral at: (509) 838-4428 or toll free at 1-877-678-4428

Student Health Services

Hospitals that provide forensic exams and have advocates to help you:

Deaconess Hospital
800 W. 5th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 458-5800		Valley Hospital
12606 East Mission Avenue
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
(509) 924-6650
Providence Holy Family Hospital
5633 N. Lidgerwood Street
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 482-2460		Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
101 West 8th Ave.
Spokane, WA 99204
(509) 474-3131

Yakima Resources:

Counseling Services available to WSU Yakima Students

  • For appointments, call (509) 249-7745 (ask for Dr. Joy Staley and identify yourself as a WSU Yakima student). You can also email Dr. Staley directly to setup an appointment at joyned@aol.com
  • For off-campus counseling, call Central Washington Family Medicine at (509) 452-4520, where up to three counseling sessions are covered by student fees.

Student Health Services

Yakima Campus Security

Yakima Police Department

  • Emergency: 9-1-1
  • Non-emergency: (509) 575-6200

Aspen Victim Advocacy Services

  • They provide survivors of sexual assault and other crimes against people with medical, legal and general advocacy. They also provide community education, prevention training, a 24-hour crisis line, and a domestic violence shelter in Kittitas County.
  • Call the 24-hr Sexual Assault Crisis Line for help at (509) 452-9675
  • More information

YWCA Alternatives to Domestic Violence Program in Yakima

  • A 24-hour crisis line and comprehensive domestic violence program for victims and survivors offering free and confidential services. Services include the crisis line, safe shelter, legal advocacy, advocacy based counseling, child advocacy and support groups. Domestic violence advocates are available for safety planning, help finding community resources, and supportive listening.
  • Call the 24-hr Domestic Violence Help Line for help at (509) 248-7796
  • More information

Yakima 24-Hour Crisis Line

  • Call the 24-hr Crisis Line for help, assistance and referral at: (509) 575-4200

Hospitals that provide forensic exams and have advocates to help you:

Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital
2811 Tieton Drive
Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 575-8000

Regional and National Resources:

National Crisis Text Line

  • Text the word “START” to 741-741. Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 support for individuals in crisis through texting.
  • More information

LGBT National Hotline

National Sexual Assault Hotline

National Sexual Assault Online Hotline

National Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence 24-hour Hotline

Trans Lifeline

  • The National Hotline for transgender identified individuals staffed by other transgender identified people.
  • Call the Lifeline at: 1-877-565-8860
  • More information

Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs