Bronson Sexual Assault Services

Our mission

Sexual Assault Services is committed to providing empathic, non-judgmental, comprehensive services, support & advocacy for survivors & others affected by sexual assault or abuse; raising awareness of sexual assault; & engaging others to help in holding offenders accountable & to achieve a community free of sexual violence.

Our history

When the Calhoun County Sexual Assault & Abuse Coordinating Council determined a strong need for sexual assault services, the Battle Creek Health System helped make it a reality. They agreed to become a non-profit fiduciary agent for our program. In October 1996, we received our first grant funding & began providing services.

Since then, Sexual Assault Services, with tremendous community support & leadership has become a leading agency in Michigan, working to assist victims, raise awareness & end sexual violence in Calhoun, Kalamazoo & Van Buren counties.

Today, we offer empathic, non-judgmental support to help both victims & their loved ones. Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, we can continue to support those who need us in our communities.

We are now a department of Bronson Battle Creek, & the Sexual Assault Coordinating Council is merged as part of the Calhoun County Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. We provide sexual assault nurse examiner services at several hospitals throughout the region including Bronson Battle Creek, Bronson LakeView Hospital & Bronson Methodist Hospital.

Our philosophy

We are committed to making a difference by:

• • Providing emotional support & advocacy for those affected by sexual assault or abuse through a team of specially trained individuals who can offer support, answer questions & provide need.
  • Raising awareness of sexual assault
  • Engaging others to join in working toward a community free of sexual violence
  • Working with our community partners to hold offenders accountable

We also believe that:

• • No person has the right to sexually violate another person.
  • Sexual assault is an act of power & violence committed by one human being against the will of another.
  • Sexual assault is a potentially painful experience, & victims often suffer from both the physical assault & the emotional aftermath.
  • Sexual assault is surrounded by societal myths, stereotypes & stigma that may affect the response of the victim, family, friends & community at large.

We define sexual assault as:

• • The invasion of a person’s physical & psychological being. It includes: rape, same-sex assault, incest, child molestation & any other sexual activity into which a person is forced without his/her consent.

We offer comprehensive services to survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. Services are offered free of charge to survivors & their family members. Interpreter services are available for all services.

Services offered:

• • 24-Hour Crisis Line: 888.383.2192
  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
  • Victim & Survivor Advocacy
  • Children’s Advocacy Center
  • Counseling services
  • Animal assisted therapy
  • Educational presentations
  • Volunteer program