Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
24/7 Hotline
A crisis hotline that is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for immediate assistance.
Adult
People aged 18 or older
Advocacy
The act of supporting, defending, or promoting the rights, needs, or interests of a person or group. Advocacy can take many forms, including emotional support, providing information, speaking on someone’s behalf, or working to change policies or systems.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
Campus
Services specifically designed for students within college and university settings, including Title IX advocacy, campus safety resources, and support.
Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA)
A District government agency that receives and investigates reports of any abuse committed against a minor in the District of Columbia. Certain professionals are required by law to report instances of child abuse of which they become aware to CFSA.
Children
People aged 12 and younger.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality refers to the ethical or legal duty to protect private information from being disclosed without permission.
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
Services specifically designed for survivors who are deaf and hard of hearing, including hotline access, peer support, advocacy, material resources and case management provided in American Sign Language.
Elder
Provides services and resources specifically tailored to survivors age 65 and older.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
Hotline
A phone service providing crisis support, information, and referrals, but may not be available 24/7.
Housing
Provides longer-term housing solutions, including permanent supportive housing, and long-term or permanent housing assistance.
Immigrants and Refugees
Programs and services specifically focused on helping immigrants and refugees who are survivors of sexual violence regardless of immigration status.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
Language
Provides in-house services in languages other than English, ensuring accessibility for non-English-speakers.
Legal
Provides legal advice and assistance, including representation in court, brief information sessions, filing legal documents, and navigating legal systems.
Legal Privilege
Legal privilege is a legal right that protects certain communications from being disclosed in legal proceedings without the consent of the person who made the communication.
LGBTQ
Services and resources specifically for survivors within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer communities.
Mandated Reporter
A person who is legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. Mandated reporters often include professionals such as teachers, doctors, social workers, law enforcement officers, and advocates.
Medical Care
Offers medical services such as forensic exams, general healthcare, sexual and reproductive health services, and medical advocacy for people.
Mental Health
Offers counseling, therapy, crisis intervention, and other mental health services to support emotional and psychological well-being.
Military
Services and resources for members of the US military and their families, whether on or off base, to provide advocacy and support through the military justice system, legal rights, housing, healthcare, and other needed resources.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
Prevention
Programs and services focused on stopping violence before it happens, including education, training, and community engagement.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
Reporting
Assistance with reporting incidents to various official entities, including local or federal law enforcement, Title IX offices, SARC/SAPR offices, and other relevant institutions.
SANE Exam
SANE stands for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. A SANE Exam is a medical exam conducted after a sexual assault to gather evidence in a legally sound and trauma-informed way and to provide for the medical and mental health needs of the survivor.
SAVRAA
The Sexual Assault Victims Rights Amendment Act (SAVRAA) is the name of a law passed in 2014 and amended in 2019 to ensure advocacy and information rights for survivors and accountability for law enforcement and other government actors when investigating sexual assault crimes.
Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking is a form of human trafficking in which individuals are compelled through force, fraud, or coercion to engage in commercial sex acts against their will. If the victim is under the age of 18, it is considered sex trafficking regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion.
Sexual Assault Advocate
A trained professional affiliated with a community-based sexual assault services provider who offers confidential support, information, and assistance to survivors of sexual assault. Under District of Columbia law, communications between a survivor and a sexual assault victim advocate are legally privileged, meaning they cannot be disclosed in legal proceedings without the survivor’s consent. These Advocates respond to requests for accompaniment and support during a SANE exam, interviews/reports to police, and interviews with any District agency about the victim-survivor’s sexual assault 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
A nurse specifically trained to address sexual assault and gather evidence of the crime in a trauma-informed, legally and forensically sound manner.
Shelter/Financial Assistance
Provides crisis or emergency shelter for immediate safety needs, as well as financial assistance for necessities such as food, transportation, and relocation support.
Significant Relationship
Defined in DC Code §22-3001(10) as (A) A parent, sibling, aunt, uncle, or grandparent, whether related by blood, marriage, domestic partnership, or adoption; (B) A legal or de facto guardian or any person, more than 4 years older than the victim, who resides intermittently or permanently in the same dwelling as the victim; (C) The person or the spouse, domestic partner, or paramour of the person who is charged with any duty or responsibility for the health, welfare, or supervision of the victim at the time of the act; (D) Any employee, contractor, consultant, or volunteer of a school, religious institution, or an educational, social, recreational, athletic, musical, charitable, or youth facility, organization, or program, including a teacher, coach, counselor, clergy, youth leader, chorus director, bus driver, administrator, or support staff, or any other person in a position of trust with or authority over a child or a minor.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
Youth
People aged 13 to 17
24/7
Services that are available at any time, day or night, including crisis response, and emergency support.
