If you or someone you know is sexually assaulted:
- Never blame the victim for what happened.
- If there is immediate danger, call 911 (if that feels safe to you).
- Get to a safe place. Call someone for help (our Helpline, a family member, a friend, or the police).
- Consider getting medical attention for possible injuries, pregnancy, STIs, or for the collection of evidence, as soon as possible.
- If possible, do not wash, urinate, douche, brush your teeth, eat, drink, smoke, or change clothes because it can impact evidence.
- You have a right to make a police report at any time if you choose.
- The Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline can be accessed anywhere in Maine, 24/7.
Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline
Call 1-800-871-7741 to talk to a trained advocate who is understanding and ready to help.
Our services are free and private.*
Language Access
Confidential free help is available from Maine's Sexual Assault Support Centers any day, any time. Say your phone number and language for a free interpreter and wait for a call back.
Les centres de soutien aux victimes d’agression sexuelle du Maine offrent une aide gratuite et confidentielle, tous les jours, à toute heure. Indiquez votre numéro de téléphone et votre langue pour recevoir gratuitement les services d’un interprète et attendez que l’on vous rappelle.
A ajuda confidencial gratuita está disponível nos Centros de Apoio às Vítimas de Agressão Sexual de Maine todos os dias, a qualquer hora. Forneça o seu telefone e idioma para acessar um intérprete gratuito e aguarde uma chamada.
Les centres de soutien aux victimes d’agression sexuelle du Maine offrent une aide gratuite et confidentielle, tous les jours, à toute heure. Indiquez votre numéro de téléphone et votre langue pour recevoir gratuitement les services d’un interprète et attendez que l’on vous rappelle.
A ajuda confidencial gratuita está disponível nos Centros de Apoio às Vítimas de Agressão Sexual de Maine todos os dias, a qualquer hora. Forneça o seu telefone e idioma para acessar um intérprete gratuito e aguarde uma chamada.
Our trained sexual assault support advocates are here to support you and offer information and resources. These are just some of the many reasons someone might call the Helpline:
- To talk to someone about what happened
- Help to make sure you’re safe
- To find out if there are support groups coming up
- You just need someone to listen about what you’re feeling or going through
- To talk through what has happened and find out what some next steps might be
- You were sexually assaulted and are looking for medical/reproductive health care
- To get information about Protection from Abuse (PFA) Orders
- You are feeling triggered and need help grounding
- To learn about your rights as a survivor at work or in school
- A loved one was sexually assaulted and you want to know how to support them, or need support for yourself
- You are looking for a mental health provider who knows about sexual violence and trauma
You don’t need to be in crisis to use the Helpline. We support anyone affected by sexual violence, which includes survivors of sexual violence and friends and family of survivors. We support everyone, regardless of their gender, sexuality, race, immigration status, ability, or any other identity. We will support you no matter when the abuse happened, if you’re not sure what happened was sexual assault, or whether or not you want to talk to police. We help by following your lead. You know your life best, and we are here to talk about options or just listen. We will always respect and support your choices.
Calling the Helpline
When you call the Helpline, an answering service will pick up. The answering service will ask for the first name you give them (you can remain anonymous if that feels safer to you), call back number, and the county you live in. The answering service will pass this information on to an advocate at your closest sexual assault center, who will give you a call back from a blocked/private number as soon as they can. If your phone doesn't take blocked calls, the answering service can help you temporarily remove this setting.
Calling the Helpline
When you call the Helpline, an answering service will pick up. The answering service will ask for the first name you give them (you can remain anonymous if that feels safer to you), call back number, and the county you live in. The answering service will pass this information on to an advocate at your closest sexual assault center, who will give you a call back from a blocked/private number as soon as they can. If your phone doesn't take blocked calls, the answering service can help you temporarily remove this setting.
*Please note: Sexual assault support advocates in Maine are mandated reporters. This means that if we hear or suspect that a child or incapacitated adult has been hurt physically, sexually, or through neglect, we have to let the Department of Health and Human Services or the District Attorney’s Office know about it. The advocate can work with you every step of the way and talk about what information will go into their report. We want you to be safe, and you are the only one who knows what is safe for you. You have a choice about what information you share with us. Please share only what you are comfortable with.
Maine laws protect and provide services for children and for adults who are incapacitated or dependent
on others for their care. To make a report of abuse or suspected abuse call Child Protective Services at 1-800-452-1999 or Adult Protective Services at 1-800-963-9490.
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SASSMM participates in the Maine STEN Provider Council. We are committed to connecting survivors of human trafficking to the best supports in Maine.
If you suspect trafficking of any kind, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-800-373-7888 They are prepared to offer additional resources and referrals. |
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