MECASA
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| The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault logo | Navy blue words on a white background that say |
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| MECASA's Policy Team and our allies did incredible work in the last legislative session - and we've collected the most impactful bills for survivors of sexual violence in this year's end-of-session report! If this work inspires you, consider  with a donation or monthly commitment. |  Click here to read the report. |
## MECASA'S FOCUS
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| A simple blue graphic of an open door. | **Increasing the Accessibility of Services**True accessibility isn’t just about opening a door – sometimes it is about bringing the door to the person that needs it. It’s also about what’s on the other side of that door.  Supporting every survivor means meeting them where they are. Our trainings and technical assistance for sexual assault support centers help advocates do just that, by making sure they can provide services that are culturally-appropriate, sensitive, flexible, and appropriate for every person who reaches out. |
| **Expanding Paths to Justice and Healing**“Justice” and “healing” mean different things to different people. Our job at MECASA isn’t to decide what justice and healing should look like, but instead to make sure that every survivor has the opportunity to pursue justice as they see it and to access services to help them thrive. | A graphic of three arrows splitting off from the same beginning, pointing in different directions, in green and teal |
| A graphic in navy blue of a clock face with an arrow going around it. | **Cultivating Sustainable Workplaces**The work of preventing and responding to sexual violence can be overwhelming. Long hours, low pay, and vicarious trauma have an impact on the advocates who support survivors – and employee turnover can make it difficult to provide the kind of consistent and expert support that survivors deserve. At MECASA, we work every day with state government, community foundations, and other funders to make sure that policies are implemented that provide long-term financial commitments to sexual assault services, and we work with member centers to provide training and technical assistance that promote healthy and supportive work environments. |
## YOU MAY ALSO KNOW US AS...
| The Maine Sex Trafficking and Exploitation Network logo, an impressionistic butterfly in orange with the words Maine STEN and the website mainesten.org     is the central source of information and resources about trafficking awareness and response efforts in Maine. |     is a membership organization committed to promoting Children's Advocacy Centers and supporting existing and emerging centers. |      supports schools, families, and communities in preventing and responding to child sexual abuse. |
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| The Maine Department of Health and Human Services logo | The MaineShare logo   The Bingham Program logo | The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault is funded in part by the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, MaineShare, the Bingham Foundation, and the generous support of your public and private donations.  **Call 1-800-871-7741** to talk to someone who can help. Free, private support is available 24/7.MECASA represents and supports Maine's sexual assault support centers. |
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## help happens here
| On a navy blue background, the words   Maine's sexual assault support centers are part of the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault. They are listed below. Click on their name to see their website. You can also call the sexual assault helpline to talk with an advocate near you. For a map with center details and the areas they serve, .**​**Serving Aroostook, Hancock & Washington CountiesSupporting Maine's refugee and immigrant communities Serving Penobscot & Piscatiquis CountiesServing Androscoggin, Oxford & Franklin Counties & the Towns of Bridgton & HarrisonServing Kennebec & Somerset Counties​Serving Cumberland & York Counties​Serving Eastern Cumberland County, Sagadahoc, Knox, Waldo & Lincoln Counties | On a teal background, the words      **Maine's sexual assault support centers all provide:**Free and private support from trained people who understand and want to help.Crisis support to survivors and their family and friends when they need it.Help, information, and in person support for survivors who go to the hospital, police, or court.Connection to other help in your community.Support groups.Training and other support for organizations and workplaces.​Community and school education to help prevent and respond to sexual assault. |
**More Maine sexual assault services:
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Maine TransNet’s mission is to is to support and empower transgender people to create a world where they can thrive. MTN is a community-based organization led by transgender people for transgender people. They provide sexual assault support services for transgender individuals alongside support groups, community events, and advocacy for Maine’s transgender community.
The Wabanaki Women’s Coalition’s mission is to increase the capacity of Tribal Communities to respond to domestic and sexual violence, and influence Tribal, National, and Regional systems to increase awareness, safety, justice and healing for all their relations. A list of centers that belong to the Wabanaki Women's Coalition are listed below:
**Aroostook Band of Micmacs, Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocacy Center:** 207-551-3639
**Houlton Band of Maliseets, Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocacy Center:** 207-532-6401
**Indian Township Passamaquoddy, Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocacy Center:** 207-214-1917
**Passamaquoddy Peaceful Relations:** 1-877-853-2613
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**Penobscot Indian Nation, Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocacy Center:** 207-631-4886
## questions?
| Sometimes people have questions about how we can help or what happens when you call us. We've answered some questions we get often. If we don't answer your question here, . | On a teal background, the words    |
​​**What if what happened was a long time ago?**
You can still call. Some people call right away. Some people call after many years. Whenever it happened we will listen and give you support.
**​If I call, do I have to talk to the police?**
No you do not have to tell the police what happened. It is up to you. We won’t tell you what to do and we are not part of the police department.
**Will you tell anyone about what I tell you?**
Our services are confidential, which means that we don't tell anyone what you say or that you called us. But, we are mandated reporters. That means we have to follow Maine state reporting laws. If we think you are under 18 and you tell us any information that makes us think you are being abused or neglected, we may have to share this with other adults to help keep you safe.
**Can anyone call?**
Yes. We will help anyone no matter who they are.
**Can I call for a friend?**
Yes. We will help you think of ways to support your friend. We can also talk with you about your own feelings about what happened to your friend.
**Why should I call?**
You may feel mad, sad, or scared.
You may want to get help for yourself. You may want to get help for a friend.
You may want to talk to someone or ask questions.
You may want to find out your rights. You may want to find other services.
You may need help making sure you’re safe.
**What do I do if a child tells me about abuse?**
You may not know what to say or do. We will help you come up with a plan. You can also **** for basic help.
**What are my rights as a victim of crime in Maine?**
All victims of crime are entitled to the following rights:
To be treated with dignity and respect.
To be assisted by criminal justice agencies.
To be free from intimidation.
To be informed about the criminal justice system.
Whenever practicable, to be notified of plea agreements, and the right to comment on them.
Whenever practicable, to be notified of all judicial proceedings, including time and place of trial.
To have input at sentencing.
To request restitution.
To request compensation from the Victim Compensation Board for unreimbursed medical and medically-related expenses for victims of violent crime.
To be notified of an offender’s release from institutional confinement in all felony cases.
To be provided with a pamphlet containing certain statutes which pertain to victims’ rights.
​Maine’s sexual assault support advocates can help you access these rights. Even if you don’t think you are the victim of a crime, you can contact an advocate for support, help, and to ask questions. Maine Department of Corrections Victims’ Services also has a toll-free hotline: **1-800-968-6909** .
**How do I learn more?**
You can call or **** to learn more. We are happy to answer any of your questions. Remember: email is not a private way to talk to us about sexual assault.​ All other ways you contact us are private.​