Find Help
In Indian Country, sometimes sexual assault happened recently, and sometimes it happened a long time ago, or to someone we care about.
There are many resources available.
MIWSAC does not provide direct services advocacy, but we will always do our best to connect you with people and resources that may be helpful.
We also believe that simply being in community with others who are working to end sexual violence can be empowering and we encourage you to join us for events at any time!
Safety
If you have been sexually assaulted and are looking for guidance:
First, breathe. Breath is our first medicine. Full deep breaths calm the body.
Be sure to get to a safe place.
Contact a trusted friend, family member, or a sexual assault program or hotline.
Get medical attention as soon as possible. See more info below.
Remember that sexual assault is NEVER our fault.
You are not alone, and sometimes this will be one breath at a time.
Options
No matter when a sexual assault occurred, the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain can be indescribable. Please know that there is a community of people out here who require no explanation to offer support.
There are also Native and non-Native advocates and programs across the state, and country, who specialize in helping with the journey after sexual assault.
Advocate:
A Sexual Assault Advocate has specialized training to help you understand your options, navigate the journey with you, not make decisions for you.
ADVOCACY
Reporting to Police:
You may or may not want to report the sexual assault to the police right now. This is entirely up to you, and an Advocate can help you navigate this choice.
Forensic Exam:
A forensic exam (sometimes called a rape kit) is a medical exam conducted by a SANE, or Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, who is specially trained to both treat injury, and gather forensic evidence of the crime of sexual assault. You are not required to report the assault to the police in order to receive medical help.
Exams are free to anyone who has been sexually assaulted. The Minnesota county where the assault happened is responsible for the costs associated with the assault. You or your insurance may be responsible for the cost of additional medical treatment.
While difficult, try not to bathe, shower, brush your teeth, go to the bathroom, or discard your clothing because evidence can remain viable up to 120 hours, or 5 days, after an assault. Consider bringing your clothes to the forensic exam in a paper bag, not plastic, in order to preserve any evidence.
An Advocate can be supportive in navigating a visit to the Emergency Room.
Sexual Assault Exam - Forensic Exam
Victim Service Providers
Support Within Reach: Sexual Violence Resource Center
Serving Aitkin, Bagley, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids, Walker
Phone: 218-326-5008 | 1-800-708-2727
Support Within Reach: Sexual Violence Resource Center
Serving Aitkin, Bagley, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids, Walker
Phone: 218-326-5008 | 1-800-708-2727
Evergreen Youth & Family Services
Youth Shelter, Drop In Center
610 Patriot Drive PO Box 662
Bemidji, MN 56601
Youth Crisis Line: 218-751-4332
Drop In Center:218-751-8223
Federal Bureau of Investigation DV/SA
P.O. Box 1461
Bemidji, MN 56619
Cell: 218-755-8238
Fax: 218-755-8255
Crisis Line: 218-230-8065
Northwest Indian Community Development Center
Wide range of services for all genders
1819 Bemidji Ave. North
Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-759-2022
Northwoods Coalition for Family Safety
Shelter, Support Services, OFPs, Court Accompaniment, Legal Services
P.O. Box 563
Bemidji, MN 56619
Phone: 218-444-1395
Crisis Line: 1-800-588-6229
Support Within Reach: Sexual Violence Resource Center
Serving Aitkin, Bagley, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids, Walker
Phone: 218-326-5008 | 1-800-708-2727
Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center
Domestic violence shelter, information, referrals
1414 Maple Street PO Box 602
Brainerd, MN 56401
Pho: 218-828-1216
Crisis: 1-888-777-1248
Leech Lake Family Violence Prevention Program
113 Balsam Avenue NW.
Cass Lake, MN. 56633
24-Hour Crisis Line: 218-766-1741 or 218-766-1205
www.llojibwe.org/hs/familyviolenceprevention.html
Leech Lake Tribal Police-Crime Victim Program
PO Box 187
Cass Lake, Mn. 56633
218-335-8277/218-335-7121
Fax: 218-368-0701
Fond du Lac Min No Aya Win Human Services
Sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy
927 Trettel Lane
Cloquet, MN. 55720
Phone: 218-879-1227
American Indian Housing Community Organization
Wide range of serivces
202 W. 2nd St.
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: 218-722-2247
Men As Peacemakers
123 West Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
Phone: 218-727-1939
Grand Portage Human Services
Sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy
PO BOX 428
Grand Portage, MN 55605
218-475-2453
Support Within Reach: Sexual Violence Resource Center
Serving Aitkin, Bagley, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids, Walker
Phone: 218-326-5008 | 1-800-708-2727
Division of Indian Works
Wide range of services
1001 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: 612-279-6314
Indigenous Women’s Life Net
Sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy, services, referrals
1530 East Franklin Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: 612-879-1746 or 612-879-1736
www.maicnet.org/project/indigenous-womens-life-net/
Kateri Residence
Sober Housing for women, advocacy, recovery
2408 4th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN. 55404
Phone: 612-871-0477
www.proofalliance.org/directory/kateri-residence/
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center
Wide range of support services and referral network
2300 15th Avenue So.
Minneapolis, MN. 55404
612-728-2010
Native American Community Clinic
1213 East Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, Mn. 55404
Phone: 612-872-8086
Sexual Violence Center
2021 East Hennepin Avenue Suite 418
Minneapolis, MN. 55413
24-Hour Crisis Line: 612-871-5111 or 952-448-5425
Tate Topa Consulting: Lenny Hayes
Two Spirit/LGBTQ, Mental and Chemical Health, Male identified survivors
5041 Edgewood Drive
Mounds View, MN 55112
651-353-5394
Email: [email protected]
www.tatetopa.com
Bois Forte Human Services:
Nett Lake: 13071Nett Lake Road, Suite B
Nett Lake MN. 55771
Phone: 218-757-0233
Vermillion: 1195 County Road 77
Tower, MN. 55790
Phone: 218-753-2347
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Family Violence Prevention Program
17230 Noopiming Lane
Onamia, MN 56359
Phone: (320) 630-2499
Crisis Line: 1-866-867-4006
https://millelacsband.com/services/crisis-resources#FamilyViolencePrevention
Support Within Reach: Sexual Violence Resource Center
Serving Aitkin, Bagley, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids, Walker
Phone: 218-326-5008 | 1-800-708-2727
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
2330 Sioux Trail NW.
Prior Lake, MN. 55372
952-445-8900
Equay Wiigamig Shelter
Sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy
Giiwitaa Ododewisiwin (Circle of Family)
PO Box 909
Red Lake, MN 56671
Phone: 218-679-3443
Crisis Line: 218-679-3737
www.redlakenation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/EW-Brochure-1.pdf
Minnesota Indigenous Women’s Society
Advocacy for Native Victims of Sexual and Domestic Assault
334 S. Jefferson Street
Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Crisis Line: 507-627-4357
Hope Coalition
Sexual assault and domestic violence advocacy
1407 W 4th Street
Red Wing, MN 56283
Phone: 651-388-9360
Crisis Line: 800-519-6690
Ain Dah Yung Center
Emergency shelter for youth, Services for ages 5-17
1075 3rd St. East
St. Paul, MN
Phone: 651-227-4184
American Indian Family Center
Behavioral Health, Family Services, Youth Services
579 Wells Street
St. Paul, M 55130
651-793-3803
Breaking Free
Sexual Exploitation, Housing, Outreach
770 University Ave. W.
St. Paul, MN. 55104
651-645-6557
Merrick Community Services
Career, family, nutrition, youth services
985 Payne Ave Suite 308
St Paul, MN.
Phone: 651-771-9339
Minnesota Department of Corrections:
Victim Assistance & Restorative Justice Program
1450 Energy Park Drive Suite 200
St. Paul, MN. 55108
Phone: 651-361-7250
Crisis: 1-800-657-3830
Women of Nations
Emergency Shelter, Outreach, Support Services
PO Box 7125
St. Paul, MN. 55107
Phone: 651-222-5830
Crisis Line: 651-251-1609
Bois Forte Human Services:
Nett Lake: 13071Nett Lake Road, Suite B
Nett Lake MN. 55771
Phone: 218-757-0233
Vermillion: 1195 County Road 77
Tower, MN. 55790
Phone: 218-753-2347
Break the Silence
Truth Telling, Activism, Survivor Memorial
One Main Street Suite 600
Mpls, MN. 55414
Phone: 651-353-4748
Support Within Reach: Sexual Violence Resource Center
Serving Aitkin, Bagley, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids, Walker
Phone: 218-326-5008 | 1-800-708-2727
Prairie Island Indian Community
5636 Sturgeon Lake Road
Welch, MN 55089
Phone: 651-267-4011 | 1-800-554-5473
DOVE-Down on Violence Everyday
Shelter, advocacy, Child Advocacy Center, Elder Abuse, Safe Harbor
P.O. Box 418
White Earth, MN 56591
Phone: 218-983-4656
Crisis Line: 877-830-3683
Mailing packages: 35500 Eagle View Road, Ogema, MN 56569
Women Shelters National Directory
Stronghearts Native Helpline
1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)
Sahnish Scouts of North Dakota
Missing and Murdered Indigenous People
Phone: 701-893-6841
Email: [email protected]
Standpoint (Formerly Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project BWLAP)
Attorneys and Advocates against domestic and sexual violence
Phone: 800-313-2666
Text: 612-743-7397
Email: [email protected]
National resources that can connect you to your local advocacy program:
STRONGHEARTS Native Helpline:
1-844-7 NATIVE
1-844-762-8483
Polaris Project: National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888 or text “BeFree” to 233733
RAINN: Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network:
1800-656-4673 (HOPE)
National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
Vision Statement
Creating Safety and Justice Through the Teachings of Our Grandmothers
Minnesota Service Providers
Ain Dah Yung Center
Emergency shelter for youth, Services for ages 5-17
Address: 1075 3rd St.
East St. Paul, MN
Phone: 651-227-4184
American Indian Family Center
Behavioral Health, Family Services, Youth Services
Address: 579 Wells
Street St. Paul, M 55130
Phone: 651-793-3803
American Indian Housing Community Organization
Bois Forte Human Services
Nett Lake: 13071Nett Lake Road, Suite B Nett Lake MN. 55771
Phone: 218-757-0233, 218-753-2347
Vermillion: 1195 County Road 77 Tower, MN. 55790
Breaking Free
Sexual Exploitation, Housing, Outreach
770 University Ave. W. St. Paul, MN. 55104
Phone: 651-645-6557
Break the Silence
Truth Telling, Activism, Survivor Memorial
One Main Street Suite 600 Mpls, MN. 55414
Phone: 651-353-4748
Division of Indian Works
DOVE-Down on Violence Everyday
Shelter, advocacy, Child Advocacy Center, Elder Abuse, Safe Harbor
P.O. Box 418 White Earth, MN 56591
Phone: 218-983-4656
Crisis Line: 877-830-3683
Mailing packages: 35500 Eagle View Road, Ogema, MN 56569
Evergreen Youth & Family Services
Youth Shelter, Drop In Center
610 Patriot Drive PO Box 662 Bemidji, MN 56601
Youth Crisis Line: 218-751-4332
Drop In Center:218-751-8223
Equay Wiigamig Shelter
Sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy
Giiwitaa Ododewisiwin (Circle of Family)
PO Box 909 Red Lake, MN 56671
Phone: 218-679-3443
Crisis Line: 218-679-3737
www.redlakenation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/EW-Brochure-1.pdf
Federal Bureau of Investigation DV/SA
P.O. Box 1461 Bemidji, MN 56619
Cell: 218-755-8238
Fax: 218-755-8255
Crisis Line: 218-230-8065
Fond du Lac Min No Aya Win Human Services
Sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy
927 Trettel Lane Cloquet, MN. 55720
Phone: 218-879-1227
Grand Portage Human Services
Sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy
PO BOX 428 Grand Portage, MN 55605
Phone: 218-475-2453
Hope Coalition
Sexual assault and domestic violence advocacy
1407 W 4th Street Red Wing, MN 56283
Phone: 651-388-9360
Crisis Line: 800-519-6690
Indigenous Women’s Life Net
Sexual assault, domestic violence advocacy, services, referrals
1530 East Franklin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: 612-879-1746 or 612-879-1736
Kateri Residence
Sober Housing for women, advocacy, recovery
2408 4th Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN. 55404
Phone: 612-871-0477
Leech Lake Family Violence Prevention Program
113 Balsam Avenue NW. Cass Lake, MN. 56633
24-Hour Crisis Line: 218-766-1741 or 218-766-1205
Leech Lake Tribal Police-Crime Victim Program
PO Box 187 Cass Lake, Mn. 56633
Phone: 218-335-8277/218-335-7121
Fax: 218-368-0701
Men As Peacemakers
Merrick Community Services
Career, family, nutrition, youth services
985 Payne Ave Suite 308 St Paul, MN.
Phone: 651-771-9339
Mid-Minnesota Women’s Center
Domestic violence shelter, information, referrals
1414 Maple Street PO Box 602 Brainerd, MN 56401
Phone: 218-828-1216
Crisis: 1-888-777-1248
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Family Violence Prevention Program
17230 Noopiming Lane, Onamia, MN 56359
Phone: (320) 630-2499
Crisis Line: 1-866-867-4006
https://millelacsband.com/services/crisis-resources#FamilyViolencePrevention
Minnesota Department of Corrections
Victim Assistance & Restorative Justice Program
1450 Energy Park Drive Suite 200 St. Paul, MN. 55108
Phone: 651-361-7250
Crisis: 1-800-657-3830
Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center
Wide range of support services and referral network
2300 15th Avenue So. Mpls. MN. 55404
Phone: 612-728-2010
Minnesota Indigenous Women’s Society
Advocacy for Native Victims of Sexual and Domestic Assault
334 S. Jefferson Street Redwood Falls, MN 56283
Crisis Line: 507-627-4357
Native American Community Clinic
Northwest Indian Community Development Center
Wide range of services for all genders
1819 Bemidji Ave. North Bemidji, MN 56601
Phone: 218-759-2022
Northwoods Coalition for Family Safety
Shelter, Support Services, OFP’s, Court Accompaniment, Legal Services
P.O. Box 563 Bemidji, MN 56619
Phone: 218-444-1395
Crisis Line: 1-800-588-6229
Prairie Island Indian Community
Sahnish Scouts of North Dakota
Sexual Violence Center
2021 East Hennepin Avenue Suite 418 Minneapolis, MN. 55413
24-Hour Crisis Line: 612-871-5111 or 952-448-5425
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Stand Point (Formerly Battered Women’s Legal Advocacy Project BWLAP)
Attorneys and Advocates against domestic and sexual violence
Phone: 800-313-2666
Text: 612-743-7397
Email: [email protected]
Stronghearts Native Helpline
Phone: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483
Support Within Reach
Sexual Violence Resource Center
Serving Aitkin, Bagely, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, Park Rapids, Walker
Phone: 218-326-5008 | 1-800-708-2727
Tate Topa Consulting
Lenny Hayes
Two Spirit/LGBTQ, Mental and Chemical Health, Male identified survivors
5041 Edgewood Drive Mounds View, MN 55112
Phone: 651-353-5394
Email: [email protected]
Women of Nations
Emergency Shelter, Outreach, Support Services
PO Box 7125 Paul, MN. 55107
Phone: 651-222-5830
Crisis Line: 651-251-1609