Guidance for Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence
- Sexual assault can take many different forms, but one thing remains the same: it’s never the victim’s fault.
- Sexual violence is any non-consensual conduct in a sexual nature.
YWCA 24-Hour Help Line: 314-531-7273
A pattern of power and control can include physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse.
YWCA 24-Hour Help Line: 314-531-7273
Missouri is among the top 20 states in the nation with the highest number of human trafficking cases.
Who is Most Vulnerable? (Polaris)
Anyone can experience trafficking in any community, just as anyone can be the victim of any kind of crime. While it can happen to anyone, evidence suggests that people of color and LGBTQ+ people are more likely to experience trafficking than other demographic groups. Generational trauma, historic oppression, discrimination, and other societal factors and inequities create community-wide vulnerabilities. Traffickers recognize and take advantage of people who are vulnerable.
People may be vulnerable to trafficking if they:
- Have an unstable living situation
- Have previously experienced other forms of violence such as sexual abuse or domestic violence
- Have run away or are involved in the juvenile or child welfare system
- Are undocumented immigrants
- Are facing poverty or economic need
- Have a caregiver or family member who has a substance use issue
- Are addicted to drugs or alcohol
How Traffickers Lure People In
Stories become weapons in the hands of human traffickers — tales of romantic love everlasting or about good jobs and fair wages just over the horizon. Sometimes, the stories themselves raise red flags. Other times, traffickers or potential traffickers may raise red flags during recruitment.
Here are a few situations that might raise concerns:
- A friend, family member, co-worker, or student is newly showered with gifts or money or otherwise becomes involved in an overwhelming, fast-moving, and asymmetric (e.g., large difference in age or financial status) romantic relationship.
- A friend, family member, or student is a frequent runaway and may be staying with someone who is not their parent or guardian.
- A family member, friend, co-worker, or student is developing a relationship that seems too close with someone they know solely on social media.
- A family member, friend, or student lives with a parent or guardian and shows signs of abuse.
- A family member, friend, or co-worker is offered a job opportunity that seems too good to be true.
- A family member, friend, or co-worker is recruited for an opportunity that requires them to move far away, but their recruiter or prospective employer avoids answering their questions or is reluctant to provide detailed information about the job.
Stories become weapons in the hands of human traffickers — tales of romantic love everlasting or about good jobs and fair wages just over the horizon. Sometimes, the stories themselves raise red flags. Other times, traffickers or potential traffickers may raise red flags during recruitment.
Recognizing Sex Trafficking
Sex trafficking occurs when individuals are made to perform commercial sex through the use of force, fraud, or coercion. Any child under 18 who is involved in commercial sex is legally a victim of trafficking, regardless of whether there is a third party involved.
Someone may be experiencing sex trafficking if they:
- Want to stop participating in commercial sex but feel scared or unable to leave the situation.
- Disclose that they were reluctant to engage in commercial sex but that someone pressured them into it.
- Live where they work or are transported by guards between home and workplace.
- Are children who live with or are dependent on a family member with a substance use problem or who is abusive.
- Have a “pimp” or “manager” in the commercial sex industry.
- Work in an industry where it may be common to be pressured into performing sex acts for money, such as a strip club, illicit cantina, go-go bar, or illicit massage business.
- Have a controlling parent, guardian, romantic partner, or “sponsor” who will not allow them to meet or speak with anyone alone or who monitors their movements, spending, or communications.
YWCA 24-Hour Help Line: 314-531-7273
- Fewer than 1 in 5 victims report their sexual assault, one of the biggest contributing factors is not being believed.
Start By Believing - Advocacy and support services are confidential and free to survivors, as well as friends and family.
- YWCA advocates have been trained extensively to provide trauma informed advocacy and to help individuals navigate unfamiliar systems.
Our Drop-in Center is open Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm. No appointment is necessary.
1155 Olivette Executive Parkway, St. Louis, MO 63132 314-531-1115
YWCA 24-Hour Help Line: 314-531-7273
- It is recommended that you go to a hospital emergency room if the assault has occurred within the last 7 days. You can receive medical treatment even if you choose not to report to the police.
- Hospital emergency departments can perform a physical examination, collect evidence (forensic examination), and provide medications if necessary.
- If you can, avoid eating, drinking, showering, or using the restroom prior to going to the hospital. Wear or bring the clothing you wore during the assault to the hospital with you. The YWCA can provide you with new clothing.
- An advocate from the YWCA can be called to provide support and accompaniment during the hospital visit.
- There is no cost associated for having a forensic exam. If you are charged for the exam, please contact a YWCA advocate. If you receive additional medical charges as a result of the assault, a YWCA advocate can assist with Crime Victims Compensation.
- You do not have to file a police report in order to have a forensic exam completed. You have time to decide.
YWCA 24-Hour Help Line: 314-531-7273
- It is entirely your choice whether or not you decide to report to the police.
- YWCA advocates will provide support regardless of whether you choose to report to police.
- If you choose to report, the YWCA works collaboratively with local and federal law enforcement, and can discuss your reporting options.
- YWCA advocates can provide court and law enforcement accompaniment, help file Orders of Protections, and assist in Safe at Home (an address confidentiality program).
YWCA 24-Hour Help Line: 314-531-7273
- The YWCA provides individual and group therapy to survivors.
- Our licensed therapists are trauma informed and trained in EMDR and domestic and sexual violence modalities.
- The YWCA Drop-in Center allows individuals to meet with an advocate without an appointment and offers individuals the confidential opportunity to assess their situation, experience understanding and encouragement, get assistance with a personalized safe plan, and to access appropriate resources.
Drop-In Center is open 8:30am – 5:30pm, Monday – Friday
1155 Olivette Executive Parkway, St. Louis MO 63132. 314-531-1115
YWCA 24-Hour Help Line: 314-531-7273
- Believe them, and tell them you believe them.
- Support their choices, even if their choices may be different from what you would choose.
- Listen without judgment.
- Share our 24-Hour Help Line: 314-531-7273