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Domestic violence does not discriminate. Anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender can be a victim – or perpetrator – of domestic violence. It can happen to people who are married, living together or who are dating. It affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.

Domestic violence includes behaviors that physically harm, arouse fear, prevent a partner from doing what they wish or force them to behave in ways they do not want. It includes the use of physical and sexual violence, threats and intimidation, emotional abuse and economic deprivation. Many of these different forms of domestic violence/abuse can be occurring at any one time within the same intimate relationship.

The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include:

• Attempted rape

• Fondling or unwanted sexual touching

• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body

• Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape

SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) – Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Center (DVRCC) along with Central Dakota Forensic Nurse Examiners and Law Enforcement offer comprehensive services for victims of sexual assault.

What this means for victims: Traditionally a victim of sexual assault would have to share their story over and over again. This would include telling their story to advocates, law enforcement, medical, and prosecution-all in different settings. The SART team eliminates the need for a victim to tell their story over and over again. During an initial response, a victim is met by a law enforcement detective, advocate and a forensic nurse examiner. A victim is given his/her rights, an opportunity to share their story in a safe location and obtain medical attention. All of the services provided during a SART response are free and optional. A victim can choose to participate in as much or as little of the process that they feel comfortable doing.

***Information taken from RAINN.org***

Almost half of all transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives, and these rates are even higher for trans people of color and those who have done sex work, been homeless, or have a disability.

Dating abuse is a big problem, affecting youth in every community across the nation. Learn the facts below:

• Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year
• Violent behavior often begins between the ages of 12 and 18
• Nearly half (43%) of dating college women report experiencing violent and abusive partners
• One in six college women have been sexually abused in a dating relationship
• Only 33% of teens who were in an abusive relationship ever told anyone about the abuse
• 81% of parents belie teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue.

Ways to get help:

• Contact your local domestic violence center
• Contact local law enforcement
• Call a crisis line

Human trafficking as defined by the Department of Justice is: “Human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons or modern-day slavery, is a crime that involves compelling or coercing a person to provide labor or services, or to engage in commercial sex acts. The coercion can be subtle or overt, physical or psychological. Exploitation of a minor for commercial sex is human trafficking, regardless of whether any form of force, fraud, or coercion was used.”