Multnomah County Sexual Assault Services for Survivors

Help for Sexual Assault Survivors

To speak with a confidential sexual assault advocate about your options or anything related to sexual assault please call:

- Call to Safety 24/7 503-235-5333
- UNICA Bilingual Crisis Line (Spanish) 24/7 1-888-232-4448
- Slavic Oregon Social Services (Slavic) M-F 9-5 (503) 381-7757
- Volunteers of America Home Free M-F 9-5 (503) 771-5503

What is Sexual Assault?

Sexual assault means any unwanted sexual contact. Sexual assault can range from any unwanted contact or touch to rape or forced prostitution.

Sexual assault can happen to any person in any type of relationship including: marriages, dating relationships, between friends, families, caregivers, co-workers, roommates, acquaintances, or among strangers.

If you are a Victim or Survivor of Sexual Assault

It is not your fault. You are not to blame. No matter who you are, what you say, what you do, or where you go - you NEVER deserve to be sexually assaulted. You may feel that your family and friends blame you for the assault. No matter what you did, what happened was not your fault. The only person who is responsible is the person who made the choice to harm you.

What are your options?

You have the option to:

Report the assault to police.
Not report the assault to police.*
Have evidence collected off your body within 120 hours.
Receive medical care to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. If you were assaulted in Oregon, this exam is free at most hospitals within 7 days of an assault.

Understanding your Rights

*No one can force you to talk about the sexual assault. However, hospital staff are mandatory reporters. This means that they have to report assaults to police or Department of Human Services ONLY if you are under 18, have a mental health illness, intellectual or developmental disability, or if you are 65 years or older. If a report is made by a mandatory reporter then you have the right to not share any information about the assault with the hospital, police, or Department of Human Services.

Understanding your Options

If at any time you have questions about any of your options or rights you can call a sexual assault advocate at Call to Safety Line at 503-235-5333 or for a Spanish speaking advocate you can call the UNICA Bilingual Crisis Line at 1-888-232-4448.

Reporting to Police

What happens if I report a sexual assault today?

An officer will come to the hospital today to take a report from you.
Be sure to give the officer your contact information so they can contact you about next steps.
What happens if I report the sexual assault at a later date?
You can make a police report at any time, even if it happened months or years ago.
To make a report, call non-emergency police (in Portland this number is 503-823-3333).
Be sure to give the officer your contact information so they can contact you about next steps.

How do I follow up on my police report?

After the officer takes a report they will give the report to the right law enforcement agency. If you experienced sexual violence in a town, county, or state that differs from the place where you reported then the report may be given to another law enforcement agency. Generally, you should follow up with the law enforcement agency that oversees the area where you were hurt.

If you were assaulted in Portland, the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes will follow up with you. To connect with the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crime Unit regarding the status of your report please call 503-823-0400

Evidence Collection

What happens if I want evidence collected from my body?

You can choose to have evidence collected regardless of if you decide to report to police at this time. If you choose to report now or in the future, the police or the District Attorney’s Office may process the evidence and use the findings to support a criminal case against the person who hurt you.

Having evidence collected is an option for up to 120 hours (5 days) after a sexual assault. There is no cost to you for evidence collection. Evidence is collected at the hospital by a specially trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). This SANE will collect information about the sexual assault and conduct a physical exam called a Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) exam. You have the right to decline any part of the SAFE exam, and end at any time. During the SAFE exam, the SANE will:

Take note of any injuries, bruises, and scratches.
With your consent, collect your clothing or parts of your clothing for evidence. Any clothing you decide to give the SANE will not be returned to you.
Collect samples of any fluids found on the outside of your body.
Collect hair, finger nail, and oral samples.
If you feel comfortable, the SANE may also collect swabs from your vagina, anus, or penis.

Receiving Medical Care

Regardless of your choice to report or have evidence collected, you may choose to receive medical care to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. If you were sexually assaulted in Oregon the State of Oregon will cover the cost for you to receive:

A medical assessment and evidence collection
Emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy
Medications to prevent sexually transmitted infections including: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and hepatitis B
You can ask the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner or advocate for information around accessing other free medical services.

Receiving Counseling

Regardless of your choice to report or have evidence collected, you may access free counseling if you were sexually assaulted in Oregon. You can ask the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner or advocate for information around accessing free counseling services.

Access to an Advocate

A sexual assault advocate can meet with you at the hospital. You, or hospital staff, can request an advocate. You, by calling Call to Safety at 503-235-5333. The hospital staff will have a direct line number. You have the right to decline an advocate, or ask the advocate to leave your room at any time. The advocate’s role is to help you understand your options and rights, plan around your safety, offer resources, and help you understand what to expect.

Download Know Your Options (Spanish) *links to DSVCO site for download PDF

Download Know Your Options (Russian) *links to DSVCO site for download PDF

Download Know Your Options (Ukrainian) *links to DSVCO site for download PDF

Download Know Your Options (English) *links to DSVCO site for download PDF

Download or print this Resource List: Sexual Assault Resource List PDF (*links to external DSVCO site)

Sexual Assualt Resources in Multnomah County / Portland Metro

Confidential Help for Sexual Assault
Call to Safety (24-hour crisis line, support groups, medical advocacy, LGBTQI2S+ support) 888-235-5333
Linéa UNICA (Español) (24-hour helpline, support groups, medical advocacy) 888-232-4448
Slavic Oregon Social Services (Russian/Ukrainian) 24/7 Crisis Line 503-381-7757
VOA Oregon Home Free M-F 9-5 503-771-5503

Resources for Children and Families

CARES Northwest (Child Abuse Response and Evaluation Services) 503-276-9000

Child Abuse Hotline/Child Protective Services 24/7 855-5037233

Impact NW Parent-Child Therapeutic Services 503-721-1740

Legal Assistance / Criminal Justice / Law Enforcement

SAVE Fund (Through Crime Victims Compensation - may compensate for medical exams, some medications and counseling sessions) 503 378-6254

Victim Rights Law Center (free legal services for SA survivors) (503) 274-5477

Oregon Crime Victims Law Center 503-208-8160

Multnomah County Victims’ Assistance Program 503-988-3162

VOA Oregon Home Free (Help with Sexual Assault Protection Order or other legal advocacy) M-F 9-5 503-802-0506

Campus Resources

PCC Women’s Resource Centers Text or call an advocate: 503-619-7041