Obstacles can occur in any relationship, but understanding the signs of a toxic relationship early on can prevent a more serious situation in the future. If someone has fallen victim to intimate partner abuse, domestic violence, or sexual assault, it may be challenging to know where to seek help. Throughout Minnesota and the United States, there are various resources available for survivors and victims to utilize during this emotional time.
Domestic Violence
Violence Free Minnesota
Formerly known as the Minnesota Coalition for Batter Women (MCBW), the Violence Free Minnesota coalition has helped victims and survivors of domestic violence since 1978. This coalition’s primary goal is to end relationship abuse and create safe environments for all Minnesota residents. Individuals needing guidance have access to an assortment of member programs, advocacy services, emergency shelters, support groups, and more.
Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline
Survivors and victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking can utilize the Minnesota Day One Crisis Hotline for agency services, safety, and resources. This foundation’s primary mission is to support victims and survivors and minimize the barriers one may encounter when seeking safety and support.
Mending the Sacred Hoop
As a Native-owned and operated non-profit, Mending the Sacred Hoop addresses domestic and sexual violence, dating violence, sex trafficking, and stalking in Native women’s communities. Mending the Sacred Hoop does not provide emergency services or advocacy for individual women but does provide resources upon contact for victims and survivors. Tribal and Native communities throughout Minnesota are provided with training to strengthen their responses to these crimes and instill understanding and awareness.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
The NCADV supports survivors, advocates, and seeks to hold offenders accountable for their actions. This coalition’s mission is to create a safe culture, free of domestic violence and to demand systemic changes that lead to domestic violence, such as patriarchy, sexism, privilege, racism, and more.
National Network to End Domestic Violence
The NNEDV is a social change organization that acts as the leading voice for domestic violence victims and their advocates. Members of this organization work to understand the ongoing and emerging needs of victims and advocates, so all can be heard and understood at a national level. The NNEDV also offers numerous programs and resources to help the fight against domestic violence.
Futures Without Violence
With leadership offices located in San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Boston, FUTURES has been working for more than 30 years on ending violence against women and children worldwide. FUTURES offers programs, organizes policies, and holds campaigns to educate today’s communities about domestic violence and abuse.
Battered Women’s Justice Project
The BWJP is a well-known national resource center that focuses on the civil and criminal justice responses to domestic violence. With three offices around the country, including the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit, these organizations provide technical assistance and training for victims who have been charged with crimes and their defense teams.
Sexual Assault
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
MNCASA offers support for sexual assault victims and survivors and prevention programs that take action before someone is harmed. This coalition partners with other area sexual assault programs, advocates, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers to achieve a more effective and victim-centered response by advocating for criminal justice reform.
Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Violence Coalition
The Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Violence Coalition offers resources to spread awareness and eliminate sexual violence against Indian women and children. The goal of this coalition is to influence social change and promote traditional Native values. Through culturally based training, events, and activities, the MIWSAC supports victims and survivors of sexual violence and works to end sexual violence and sex trafficking across Minnesota’s Tribal Nations and Native communities.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
As the leading non-profit in information and tools regarding the prevention and response to sexual violence, the NSVRC works to share research and trends with communities nationwide to reach lasting change. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center promotes informed reporting, leads Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and is a founding organization of RALIANCE.
Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network
The largest organization against sexual violence in the nation today, RAINN, created the National Sexual Assault Hotline and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense. This organization offers and holds programs to prevent sexual violence, helps victims and survivors, and ensures offenders are held accountable in the justice system.
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Leaders from state organizations around the country joined together to create the NAESV. This organization’s mission is to educate local rape crisis centers about federal laws, legislation, and appropriations surrounding the fight to end sexual violence. Whether through media interviews, state and local groups, written analysis, and more, the NAESV continues to make an impact around the United States today.
In Closing
As a survivor or victim of intimate partner abuse, domestic violence, or sexual assault, emotions and stress can be high. It’s essential to be aware and knowledgeable of state-offered and nationwide resources available to communities so that adequate steps can be taken. Situations of intimate partner abuse, domestic violence, and sexual assault can happen when least expected, which is why utilizing available resources and becoming a voice for these individuals is a necessity.
This article contains general legal information and does not provide legal advice. For legal advice, please contact M. Sue Wilson Law Offices directly.