Home

Sexual Assault Resource Agency

Educating All Toward Healthy Relationships
Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault

Support Line: 1.800.519.6690
answered 24 hours a day, toll-free and confidential

Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is a community support and outreach agency of two full time staff (a Director and a Program Coordinator) and four on-call volunteers.  We provide advocacy to victims and survivors of sexual violence and to family and friends of victims/survivors.  Beyond this focus, we also provide sexual violence education to students and organizations in Goodhue and Wabasha Counties as well as Prairie Island Indian Community.

SARA has Two Primary Objectives:

We know it is hard, but whatever you decide to do, SARA is here to help you understand the options that are available. We can help you move forward in your own healing process, and we can help you understand your legal options should you decide to go that route. SARA understands that you will go through your healing process on your own timeline, and on your own terms. No lectures, no pressure, we let you take the lead. We are here when YOU are ready.

Facts and Statistics

• Sexual assault is an act of violence.
• Sexual assault is a crime.
• Sexual assault is ALWAYS the perpetrator’s fault.
• Sexual assault is NEVER the victim’s fault.
• Sexual assault is a traumatic experience.
• Sexual assault occurs in all communities.
• Sexual assault is usually committed by someone the victim knows.
• Sexual assault is more about power and control than sexual gratification.

• An American is assaulted every two minutes.
  (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, RAINN website)
• More than 1 in 3 Native Women will be raped in her lifetime.
  (Amnesty International)
• 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of 18.
  (Finklehor, David, et al. “Sexual Abuse in a National survey of Adult Men and Women: Prevalence, Characteristics and Risk Factors,” Child Abuse and Neglect, 1990.)
• Rape or sexual assault was the violent crime least often reported to the police (28%).
  (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2000. Criminal Victimization 1999:Changes 1998-1999 with trends 1993-99. National Crime Victimization Survey Washington DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, US Department of Justice)
• In 8 out of 10 rape cases, the victim knew the perpetrator.
  (Tjaden, P,  Thoennes N. Full Report of the Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women: Findings for the National Violence Against Women Survey, Washington DC: National Institute of Justice; 2000 Report NCJ 18371)

You Can Help – Interested in Volunteering with SARA?

We offer free training for people interested in becoming volunteer advocates. Advocates answer support-line calls and offer assistance to victims, friends and families. Please contact SARA about more information regarding volunteering in the Wabasha and Red Wing areas.

No one deserves to be sexually assaulted. No matter what happened, it was not your fault.

SARA actively supports, educates, empowers, and advocates on behalf of victims and others impacted by sexual violence. We provide prevention, awareness, and outreach programs for the communities of Goodhue and Wabasha Counties, as well as the Prairie Island Indian Community.