Sexual Assault Support Services

SASS provides a comprehensive range of services for survivors of past and recent sexual assault as well as for their family members, partners, and community members. SASS services include a 24-hour crisis and support line, 24-hour emergency medical advocacy, legal advocacy and accompaniment, transitional housing support, support groups and psychoeducational programs, youth advocacy, Latine community services, and community outreach and education. As one of only two stand-alone sexual assault specific agencies in the state of oregon, SASS fills an essential role. As a result of working specifically with survivors of sexual violence, our staff have in-depth expertise and understanding of the unique issues they face, particularly those who have experienced sexual violence outside of an intimate partner relationship. While our service area is primarily Lane County, we are frequently contacted by survivors from throughout the state and in other regions of the country (and across the world) who may feel that the services in their local community are not appropriate for them. In 2023, SASS served 1452 individuals across a total of 2365 client contacts. Of those individuals, approximately 1075 were new to SASS services. Compared to the previous calendar year, this represents a 22% increase in unique individuals served, a 28% increase in new survivors, and a 17% increase in total contacts overall. During the same period, SASS responded to 1314 calls to our 24/7 hotline (about 15% higher than the previous calendar year) and launched text and chat services for the hotline. 305 people participated in support groups accounting for 589 duplicate contacts. SASS advocates provided emergency medical advocacy 178 times, accompanied 39 survivors to make a police report (a 255% increase from the previous year), accompanied survivors to court proceedings 5 times (150% increase from the previous year), and supported survivors in other legal matters 23 times.SASS operates from an empowerment-based, survivor-centered philosophy; we believe every survivor has the right and ability to make their own choices and decisions and that those decisions define our role and level of involvement. As SASS advocates, our role is to provide information and referrals, as appropriate and as requested by the survivor, nonjudgmental support and options, and to respect and advocate for the survivor's choices, rights, and goals. SASS believes that oppression is inextricably linked to sexual violence and creates a culture in which sexual violence is minimized, dismissed, normalized and glamorized. To that end, SASS staff actively engage community partners and fellow responders to improve the system response to sexual violence through increased project partnerships, collaborations, and agency cross training. Additionally, staff participate in a wide array of community events throughout the year to increase community awareness about the issue of sexual violence and SASS services. SASS takes an active leadership role at both the state and local levels. At the state level, SASS is actively involved and regularly participates in statewide legislative advocacy efforts and is active on various legislative workgroups which focus on survivor issues. At the local level, SASS is a member of the leadership team for the Lane County Sexual Assault Response Team and Domestic Violence Council as well as a founding member of the Lane County Violence Prevention Coalition. SASS advocates participate in many state, county, and local workgroups and committees. SASS has long term, ongoing partnerships with community agencies such as: Oregon Law Center, UO Laws Domestic Violence Clinic, Hope and Safety Alliance, Plaza de Nuestra Communidad, UOs Center for the Prevention of Abuse and Neglect, DevNW, Youth ERA, the 4J School District, and more.