If something has just happened to you or you are needing assistance with something from your past, you are not alone. CWC can support you. Call our trained counselors anytime of the day or night. Your call is confidential.
Here's What You Can Do:
Call An Advocate
Seek Medical Help
Learn About Reporting Options
It’s hard to know what to do, how to feel, or what your options are after a sexual assault. How you might be feeling
Further Information For:
Reach Out / Call an Advocate
1. Sexual Assault Support & Advocacy SASA Hotline 180 Infirmary Way, UMass Amherst MA 01003 (413)545-0800; toll free (888)337-0800
The Sexual Assault Support & Advocacy SASA Hotline provides 24 hours, 7 days/week free and confidential support services to people of all genders and gender identities who experience rape; sexual assault; stalking; or relationship violence. SASA supports people directly affected by violence as well as friends and families of those affected. Services are available to community members, Five College students, staff and faculty.
Learn more about what CWC Sexual Assault Support & Advocacy Services can offer you
Seek Medical Help
If you were sexually assaulted within the last 5 days you have these immediate choices:
1. Obtain a free sexual assault exam (SANE kit) and evidence collection. What Is a SANE Kit?
DNA evidence must be collected within five days of an assault. Medical assistance can be accessed at any time. You do not need to report to the police in order to have this exam. To obtain a free sexual assault exam (SANE kit) you can go to:
- Emergency Room at Cooley Dickinson Hospital
- Find other Hospitals/clinics that provide SANE exams in Western MA
Emergency room services are confidential. When someone reports a rape at Emergency room services they are given the option to speak with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) who is specially qualified to complete an Evidence Collection Kit (SANE Kit) with the survivor. These exams are always free.
2. Get/Obtain treatment to prevent pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted infections.
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Emergency Contraception can help prevent pregnancy up to five days (120 hours) after the assault.
- It is available at your drugstore, through your primary care provider or through Planned Parenthood or Tapestry Health Services (in western MA).
- Treatment to prevent sexually transmitted infections and testing are available at Planned Parenthood, Tapestry Health Services and your primary care provider.
Understand Your Reporting Options
Our confidential advocates can help you determine what you would like to do.
1. Mass Legal System
You can report a sexual assault directly to Amherst or Northampton Police Departments. There you can speak with a Civilian Advocate, a confidential resource that can review options before reporting. A detective will take a statement/report from the survivor about what happened and send the report to the District Attorney's office who would decide if charges could be pressed.
