Did You Know?

National Facts

  • Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
  • 1 out of 6 American women has been the survivor of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime (14.8% completed, 2.8% attempted).
  • About 3% of American men—or 1 in 33—have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.
  • From 2009-2013, Child Protective Services agencies substantiated, or found strong evidence to indicate that, 63,000 children a year were survivors of sexual abuse.
  • A majority of child survivors are 12-17. Of survivors under the age of 18: 34% of survivors of sexual assault and rape are under age 12, and 66% of survivors of sexual assault and rape are age 12-17.

Source: https://www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem

Open Arms Facts

  • Open Arms provided a total of 9,877 individual services in 2023.
  • In 2023, Open Arms received 1,481 crisis calls on our 24-hour crisis hotline. 
  • Open Arms served 210 individuals in our Rape Crisis Program in 2023. 

Learn more about how many we served last year by clicking the button below.

Find Out More

“Open Arms helped me not feel alone during a difficult time.”
– Survivor

Myths & Facts

Myth: If a survivor of sexual assault does not fight back, they must have thought the assault was not that bad or they wanted it.

Fact: Many survivors experience tonic immobility or a “freeze response” during an assault where they physically cannot move or speak.

Myth: A lot of survivors lie about being raped or give false reports.

Fact: Only 2-8% of rapes are falsely reported, the same percentage as for other felonies.

Myth – A person cannot sexually assault their partner or spouse.

Fact: Nearly 1 in 10 women have experienced rape by an intimate partner in their lifetime.

Myth – Sexual assaults most often occur in public or outdoors.

Fact: 55% of rape or sexual assaults occur at or near the survivor’s home, and 12% occur at or near the home of a friend, relative, or acquaintance.

Myth – Rape does not happen that often.

Fact: There is an average of 293,066 survivors ages 12 or older of rape and sexual assault each year in the U.S. This means 1 sexual assault occurs every 107 seconds.

Myth – People that have been sexually assaulted will be hysterical and crying.

Fact: Everyone responds differently to trauma- some may laugh, some may cry, and others will not show any emotions.

Myth – Men are not survivors of sexual violence.

Fact: 1.5% of all men have been raped and 47% of bisexual men have experienced some form of unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime.

Source: https://www.ourresilience.org/what-you-need-to-know/myths-and-facts/

“It is nice to have someone that is on my side and with me throughout the whole process.”
– Survivor

Helpful Information

Open Arms provides support to survivors of sexual violence by providing 24/7 advocacy while receiving medical treatment, legal advocacy, emergency shelter, individual and group support, and a 24-hour crisis hotline. All services provided are free and confidential.

24-Hour Crisis Hotline: 419-422-4766

What to Do If You’ve Been Sexually Assaulted 

· Ensure your safety first. Get to a safe place, call 911 or someone you trust. 

· Seek medical attention, even if you think you are not injured.

· Do not bathe, brush your teeth, or change your clothes. You will destroy evidence that will be necessary to press charges. 

· Report the incident, even if you choose not to press charges. 

· Remember, sexual assault is a criminal act! We are here to help survivors in their journey to recovery. 

Suggestions for Recovery

Seek out a support system. Share your feelings and your story as you feel comfortable. Know that it is okay to feel the way you do. Understand that healing takes time. Be patient and give yourself time that you need. 

What Can Friends and Family Do?

Be supportive, patient, and do not judge. Be reassuring – sexual assault is not the survivor’s fault. Make sure the survivor feels safe. Allow the survivor to re-establish control over his/her life. Listen, but do not push. Control your own feelings. This will allow you to focus on the survivor’s feelings. Get support for yourself. Open Arms advocates are available to meet with friends and family members.  

Additional Resource Information:

Supporting A Loved One
Disclosing Sexual Violence
Understanding the Trauma of Sexual Violence
Forensic Exam Fact Sheet
“The staff has been informative and really helped me be comfortable and safe through everything.”
– Survivor

How You Can Spread Awareness

April 2nd – Sexual Assault Awareness Day

  • Wear Teal! Teal is the color for sexual assault prevention.
  • Share Open Arms posts on social media
  • Check out all the programs and services we provide right here on our website

Spread the Word on Social Media

  • Follow @openarmsfindlay on Facebook and Instagram and share sexual assault awareness posts on your page. Helping to spread awareness is a great way to get the word out on important information for people to know.
  • Write your own support message for support for survivors of sexual assault. Consider phrases like Support Survivors, You Matter, Your Strength Keeps Us Going.

“Very kind, empathetic, supportive and available. My advocate was so accommodating and very knowledgeable.
Very thankful for Open Arms.”
– Survivor

Awareness Partners

Throughout the month of April we have partnered up with local salons to spread awareness.

Thank you to the participating businesses below for your partnership!