Support available for victims of sexual violence

For survivors of sexual assault, opening up about their experiences can be difficult.
For local survivors, help is a phone call away.
With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, some local crisis and victim advocacy groups are attempting to expand their resources, offering survivors an understanding ear and people to discuss options.
Most cases of sexual violence aren't committed by strangers. According to statistics from the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in America, eight out of 10 sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim - a trend that holds true in Mercer or Auglaize counties as well.

Of the cases heard by Terra Bruggeman, the family crisis network coordinator for Our Home Family Resource Center, adults in Mercer County who experience sexual violence are oftentimes in a dating relationship. For juveniles, it's often a family member.

Due to the deeply personal nature of the crime, and a number of cultural attitudes and anxieties, it can be especially difficult for survivors to come forward. Some may not wish to press charges, but could still need help or emotional support working through their experience.

Deb Simon-Heinfeld, development coordinator for OHFRC, said victims could now call or text the Family Crisis Network Hotline at 419-586-1133.

"Victims need to understand they can contact Our Home's help line just to talk to someone, because oftentimes they may not want to report right away, but speaking about what happened can help them work through what they're feeling," Simon-Heinfeld said. "Someone is available just to listen. I think that's the biggest role of a help line."

Caller names are not logged or turned in, and information discussed on the hotline is fully confidential, Simon-Heinfeld said. Hotline workers are there to listen and inform people what their options are, whether it's going to the hospital or seeking mental health counseling or legal recourse.

In 2020, the Mercer County Sheriff's Office handled 14 reports of sex crimes. The Celina Police Department also handled 14 cases of various sex crimes, though only six resulted in criminal charges.

There are many factors that make it difficult to bring about criminal charges in a sexual assault case, Bruggeman said. Sexual assault tends to go underreported to begin with, she said, though people often wonder why someone wouldn't report an incident.

"If somebody steals your wallet, sure, most people won't think twice about reporting it. But people may not be comfortable reaching out or talking about (sexual assault)," Bruggeman said.

Sometimes, law enforcement themselves may be perceived as intimidating because most are men, Bruggeman said, and female victims may find it difficult to describe their experiences to them. It also can be difficult for male victims to open up to other men.

"Our media says that guys have to be tough, or that it can't happen, or how can it happen, but it can and it does," Bruggeman said.

Of the six sexual assault cases OHFRC assisted with in 2020, one involved a male victim.

Survivors also may be fearful due to threats made by perpetrators against them or their family. People who are part of the LGBT community also may fear being outed.

"There's many different layers to why people don't report," Bruggeman said.

It can be difficult to bring charges as well. Physical evidence may be absent or lost over time, and unless the incident happened in a larger area, it can ultimately come down to "he said, she said," according to Bruggeman.

Even so, survivors have options. Both Mercer and Auglaize counties have Sexual Assault Response Teams, and sexual assault nurse examiners are available at Mercer Health Community Hospital in Coldwater and Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys.

Family Crisis Network can offer temporary shelter to victims and their children, can assist in case management, safety planning and offer courtroom advocacy if needed.

Most of all, victim advocates want survivors to know that they are not alone, and that even if they just need someone to talk to, there's someone willing to listen.