Sexual Assault Information

To speak with an advocate immediately, please call
262-652-9900 or 800-853-3503

Sexual Assault Support Groups:

Adults Molested as Children (AMAC) Support Group

Women and Children’s Horizons offers a support group is for adult women who were sexually abused as children. If you are a sexual abuse survivor looking for support from others who have had similar experiences, please contact the Sexual Assault Program Advocates at 262-656-3500. This group is free and confidential.

Non-Offending Caregiver Support Group

Women and Children’s Horizons offers a support group for non-offending parents and caregivers of sexually abused children and teens. Learn more about how to help both you and your child heal from sexual abuse while receiving support from others in similar situations. For more information, please contact Sexual Assault Program Advocates at 262-656-3500. This group is free and confidential.

Did you know?

• Sexual assault is the most under-reported violent crime.
• Sexual assault is any unwanted contact or intercourse without consent
• In Wisconsin, 88.9% of all sexual assaults were perpetrated by someone known to the victim, while 6.4% were committed by strangers.
• The average age of a Wisconsin sexual assault victim is 15.
• According to crime statistics, there was a sexual assault every 1 hour, 33 minutes, 33 seconds in 2004.

  Source for Wisconsin Statistics: Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance Report on Sexual Assaults in Wisconsin 2004: December 2005

WCH Sexual Assault Program

Sexual violence exists in every community. The Sexual Assault Program is committed to increasing community awareness about sexual violence and educating its members about the signs, effects and consequences of sexual abuse, assault and harassment. Whether through child sexual abuse awareness and prevention programs, presentations to community groups or training for service providers in community agencies, the Sexual Assault Program continues to strengthen society’s response to sexual violence by educating and training one person at a time.
All victims/survivors, both male and female, can access free, confidential sexual assault services whether the assault took place recently, years ago, or during childhood.

Sexual Assault Victim/Survivor Services Available through WCH

• 24-hour crisis line 1.800.853.3503
• 24-hour advocate response to hospitals and law enforcement agencies
• Legal advocacy and restraining orders
• Food, clothing, and household goods pantries
• Referrals to community resources
• Sexual assault support groups
• 24-hour emergency shelter for women and children
• One-on-one advocacy services

WCH can help victims of sexual violence and their loved ones

• Get information about options such as seeking medical care and/or reporting the crime to law enforcement
• Learn about common reactions to sexual violence and the effects experienced by victims and their loved ones
• Receive support and services from trained advocates throughout the healing process

What is sexual assault?

The Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault defines sexual violence as behavior that violates a person’s trust and/or safety and is sexual in nature. The term “sexual assault” refers to unwanted, forced, or coerced sexual contact or intercourse.

Sexual violence takes many forms

• Verbal sexual harassment
• Unwanted touching of intimate body parts
• Causing or forcing someone to view pornography against his/her will
• Sexual activity with a person who cannot consent
• Date rape
• Child sexual abuse

No one has the right to force or pressure another person to participate in sexual activity. Everyone has the right to say no, even to a spouse or dating partner.

If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted

• It is not your fault that this happened to you, No one asks or deserves to be sexually assaulted.
• Get to a safe place. Consider calling a trusted friend or family member for support. If you would like to speak with an advocate from Women and Children's Horizons, call 262-653-9900 or 800-853-3503.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if you do not consider yourself to have been physically injured, you may be at risk for sexually transmitted infections and/or pregnancy. If you are 18 years of age or older, you will not be required to report to law enforcement if you seek medical attention. Aurora Medical Center in Kenosha has a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program where victims can get medical care from a specially-trained nurse and have evidence collected. For more information about where to seek medical treatment, please contact Women and Children's Horizons at 262-652-9900 or 800-853-3503.
• If you are an adult, you can choose whether or not you would like to report the crime to law enforcement. If you know that you want to report the sexual assault, call law enforcement as soon as possible. Preserve evidence: Avoid washing yourself, showering, bathing, douching, brushing your teeth, eating, drinking, smoking, changing your clothes, and using the toilet. Even if you have already showered, bathed, eaten, etc., you can still report the assault to law enforcement, have evidence collected, and get a medical exam.
• Women and Children's Horizons offers 24-hour advocacy response to medical facilities and law enforcement agencies. If you would like an advocate to be with you while you seek medical attention or make a report to law enforcement, please call 262-652-9900 or 800-853-3503.
• Healing from a sexual assault takes time. It can be helpful to develop a support system for yourself. A support system may include trusted friends, loved ones, victim advocates, and/or counselors.
• It is never too late to contact Women and Children's Horizons for support. The Sexual Assault Program can provide advocacy for victims regardless of when the assault occurred.

Common Effects of Sexual Assault

• Shock
• Disbelief
  • Denial
  • Can't believe it happened
• Shame
  • Feeling dirty or wanting to clean oneself
• Embarrassment
  • Concerned about what others will think
  • Not wanting to talk about assault
• Guilt
• Feeling totally or partially responsible for the assault
• Fear
  • Of perpetrator
  • That people will find out about the assault
  • Of being pregnant or contracting a sexual assault transmitted infection
  • For own safety
  • That things will never be the same again
• Anger
  • At perpetrator
  • At others for not providing help or protection
  • At self
• Anxiety
  • Nervousness
  • Feeling on edge

Most reactions are normal responses to a traumatic experience or event but may not feel normal when compared to reactions and feelings the victim is accustomed to.

As a survivor begins to recover from sexual trauma, the Sexual Assault Program is available to help those close to the survivor—family, friends and others concerned about her or him. A strong support network helps survivors deal with the sexual violence they have experienced. Education about sexual violence and assistance in helping loved ones support the survivor is found through advocacy services in the Sexual Assault Program.

For more information about service available through the Sexual Assault Program, or to schedule a presentation to your group, please contact a sexual assault advocate using one of the contact options listed on the left of the page.

To download a PDF of the WCH sexual assault brochure click on the link below.

Mission Statement
"The mission of Women and Children's Horizons is to provide support, education, training and healing for victims of sexual and domestic violence/abuse."