Sexual Assault Hotlines Increase in Northern Michigan
Two words have been taking over the nation in headlines lately, ‘sexual assault.’ Since the documentary of R&B singer, R Kelly was released earlier this month, sexual assault hotlines have been increasing by 20% according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network. Here in northeast Michigan phones have also been ringing.
“Yeah, so over all across the board we’re seeing our services and the request for resources increase. That includes hotline, our housing, our advocacy and our counseling and that’s a trend that we’ve seen go upward,” Sexual Assault Services Coordinator, Jillian Ferguson of Hope Shores Alliance said.
Ferguson says holidays, and seasons are usually when safe houses become fully occupied.
“Overall we’ve remained consistently busy throughout this season. In fact right now our safe house is full. We have resources to put people in hotels if the safe house is full,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson adds that the organization is working hard in 2019 to continue serving northeast Michigan. If you or someone you know needs help in a domestic or sexual assault situation contact Hope Shores Alliance at 1–800–396–9129.
