SASMN

SASMN Sexual Assault Services (SASMN) is a non-profit organization serving Crow Wing County and surrounding areas. Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault.

We provide Free and Confidential 24/7 support services. Regardless of; age, race, gender, economic status, and lifestyle. No one deserves to be victimized. It's sexual assault if...

your date forced, manipulated or coerced you into unwanted sexual activity...

OR a stranger, or someone you know (a deliveryman, neighbor, a friend's relative, or friend) forced you into sexual contact...

OR someone

you work with has persisted in subjecting you to unwanted sexual attention (sexual remarks, leers, touching, grabbing, pressure to have sex)...

OR a family member, or someone who lived in your home, manipulated, tricked, or forced you into sexual contact...

OR as a child, a stranger, or someone you knew (a babysitter, family friend, teacher/coach, or camp counselor) manipulated, tricked or threatened you into sexual activity...

OR your therapist or clergy suggests having a sexual relationship with you...

OR someone shared a private picture of you in cyberspace. IT'S SEXUAL VIOLENCE, AND IT HURTS EVERYONE!

💙 A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO BLUE WATER RETREAT & THE HIVE HOUSE 💙We want to take a moment to give a HUGE thank you to Blu...
08/31/2026

💙 A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO BLUE WATER RETREAT & THE HIVE HOUSE 💙

We want to take a moment to give a HUGE thank you to Blue Water Retreat and The Hive House for inviting us to your appreciation BBQ! 🫶🏼

What a beautiful evening of connection, community, laughter, and most importantly — stories. We were honored to sit together, listen, and hear everyone’s stories. Every story shared represents courage, strength, growth, and a journey that deserves to be recognized. 💙

To everyone at Blue Water Retreat and The Hive House — please know just how incredibly proud we are of each and every one of you. Watching you continue to grow, support one another, show up for yourselves, and build a community rooted in healing is something truly special.

We appreciate you more than words can express. Thank you for the work you do, the lives you touch, the space you create, and the hope you continue to bring to others.

Thank you for welcoming us, sharing your stories with us, and allowing us to be a small part of such a meaningful evening. ❤️

We see you. We hear you. We are proud of you. And we are cheering you on every step of the way. 🌱

With so much appreciation and love,
Sexual Assault Services (SAS) 💙

TriggersFor many s*xual assault survivors, triggers can appear when they're least expected.A smell. A song. A place. A d...
08/28/2026

Triggers

For many s*xual assault survivors, triggers can appear when they're least expected.

A smell. A song. A place. A date on the calendar. A voice that sounds familiar. A scene in a movie. A simple touch.

Suddenly, your heart is racing. Your body feels tense. Your thoughts begin to spiral. You may feel anxious, angry, numb, overwhelmed, or afraid.

If this happens to you, please remember this:

You are not overreacting.

A trigger is your brain's way of responding to trauma. It doesn't mean you're weak. It doesn't mean you've failed in your healing journey. And it certainly doesn't mean you're broken.

Healing from s*xual assault isn't a straight path. Some days will feel easier than others. Some triggers may fade over time, while others may continue to surface when you least expect them.

When you're triggered, try to be gentle with yourself.

• Take slow, deep breaths.

• Ground yourself in the present moment.

• Reach out to someone you trust.

• Remind yourself that you are safe.

• Give yourself permission to feel whatever emotions arise.

Most importantly, remember this:

Your trauma does not define you.

You survived something incredibly difficult, and every step you take toward healing is a victory.

You deserve compassion, support, and the time you need to heal.

💙 You are not alone.

🚫 NO Means NO. STOP Means STOP. 🚫It shouldn't have to be explained. It shouldn't have to be repeated. And no one should ...
08/28/2026

🚫 NO Means NO. STOP Means STOP. 🚫

It shouldn't have to be explained. It shouldn't have to be repeated. And no one should have to defend their right to say it.

No means no. Stop means stop.

Not "convince me."

Not "try again later."

Not "keep pushing until I give in."

A person's boundaries are not an invitation for negotiation.

Sexual harassment happens every day in workplaces, schools, social gatherings, relationships, and online spaces. It can look like unwanted touching, s*xual comments, inappropriate jokes, repeated messages, pressure for s*xual attention, intimidation, stalking, sharing explicit content, or refusing to accept someone's boundaries.

Too often, survivors are told they're overreacting.

Too often, they're asked what they were wearing, why they didn't leave, why they didn't speak up sooner, or whether they misunderstood what happened.

Let's be clear:

The responsibility for s*xual harassment belongs to the person choosing to harass, not the person experiencing it.

Every person deserves to walk through their day without fear of being objectified, threatened, pressured, or violated.

Respecting boundaries isn't optional. Consent isn't optional.

And when someone says "no," there is only one acceptable response: respect it.

To every survivor reading this:

You are not responsible for someone else's behavior.

You did not cause it.

You are not weak.

You are not alone.

Your voice matters. Your boundaries matter. And your right to feel safe matters.

It's time to stop excusing harmful behavior and start holding people accountable.

Because NO means NO. STOP means STOP. Every single time.

Healing is not linear.Some days, you will feel strong. Other days, the weight of your trauma may feel overwhelming. Ther...
08/27/2026

Healing is not linear.

Some days, you will feel strong. Other days, the weight of your trauma may feel overwhelming. There may be moments when you think you've taken a step backward, but healing doesn't follow a straight path.

Every tear, every boundary you set, every time you choose to get out of bed, ask for help, speak your truth, or simply make it through another day is progress.

Survivors often carry invisible wounds, and healing takes time. Be patient with yourself. Give yourself grace on the difficult days and celebrate the small victories along the way.

You are not broken. You are healing.

Even when it doesn't feel like it, every day is another step forward. Keep going. Your journey matters, and so do you. ❤️

One day, you will tell your story.You will talk about the abuse that tried to silence you. You will remember the days yo...
08/27/2026

One day, you will tell your story.

You will talk about the abuse that tried to silence you. You will remember the days you questioned yourself, carried shame that never belonged to you, and fought battles no one else could see.

You will remember what it felt like to survive when merely breathing felt like the hardest thing you had ever done.

And then you'll realize something.

You are still here.

The person who hurt you does not get to write the ending of your story.

They do not get to define your worth.
They do not get to take your voice.
They do not get to decide who you become.

The wounds may leave scars, but scars are proof that healing has begun.

One day, you will speak about everything you survived, and someone sitting in the middle of their own pain will hear your words and think, "If they made it through, maybe I can, too."

Your story isn't over.

Your pain has a purpose.
Your voice has power.
Your survival matters.

And one day, your story will become part of someone else's survival guide.

Keep fighting. The world still needs your light. 💜

Sexual assault doesn't just impact survivors emotionally and physically. It can also create feelings of isolation, fear,...
08/26/2026

Sexual assault doesn't just impact survivors emotionally and physically. It can also create feelings of isolation, fear, anxiety, and a loss of trust. For many survivors, healing can feel overwhelming.

Today, on International Dog Day, we're recognizing some of the most loyal and comforting companions in the healing journey: our dogs.

Dogs don't ask questions. They don't judge. They simply show up with unconditional love, a comforting presence, and a reminder that we are never truly alone.

Research has shown that animals can help reduce stress, ease anxiety, and provide emotional support after trauma. Whether it's a service dog, a therapy dog, or a beloved family pet, these faithful companions often become an important part of a survivor's path toward healing.

If you're a survivor, know this: healing doesn't have to happen alone. Support can come in many forms — advocates, counselors, family, friends, support groups, and sometimes a four-legged friend curled up beside you.

Today, we're celebrating the dogs that provide comfort, companionship, and unconditional love to survivors everywhere. 🐾

🌸 Let Yourself Bloom 🌸Healing doesn't happen overnight. Some days you'll feel strong and confident. Other days, simply g...
08/26/2026

🌸 Let Yourself Bloom 🌸

Healing doesn't happen overnight. Some days you'll feel strong and confident. Other days, simply getting out of bed may feel like a victory. Both are part of the journey.

If you've experienced s*xual violence, remember this: your healing doesn't have to look like anyone else's. There is no timeline. There is no right or wrong way to heal.

Flowers don't bloom the moment they're planted. They need time, nourishment, and care. So do you.

Give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Celebrate the small victories. Rest when you need to. Be gentle with yourself on the difficult days.

The trauma you experienced does not define who you are. You are so much more than the pain you've endured.

You are resilient.
You are worthy.
You are healing.
And when you're ready, you will bloom into the person you were always meant to be.

🌷 Let yourself bloom. Your story isn't over yet. 🌷

My Body = My ConsentTo the survivor who is still trying to understand what happened, this is for you.Your body was never...
08/25/2026

My Body = My Consent

To the survivor who is still trying to understand what happened, this is for you.

Your body was never theirs to take.

Not because you trusted them.
Not because you loved them.
Not because you didn't fight back.
Not because you froze.
Not because you were afraid.

Your body has always belonged to you.

Sexual assault steals more than a moment. It can steal your sense of safety, your confidence, your trust, and your connection to your own body. It can leave you questioning yourself and wondering if you somehow could have changed the outcome.

You couldn't.

Survival looks different for everyone. Some people fight. Some people flee. Some people freeze. Some people do whatever they need to do to make it through.

None of those responses equal consent.

If someone ignored your boundaries, manipulated you, pressured you, threatened you, or took advantage of your vulnerability, that was not consent.

Read that again.

That was not consent.

You are not responsible for another person's decision to violate you.

Your worth was not diminished.

Your voice was not taken.

Your body is still yours.

Healing isn't about reclaiming something you lost. It's about remembering something that has always been true:

Your body belongs to you.

Today. Tomorrow. Always.

And no matter what you've been through, no one can take away your right to say:

My body. My boundaries. My consent.

FIRST STEPS AFTER YOU DISCLOSE SEXUAL ASSAULT 💜Telling someone about s*xual assault can take incredible courage. Whether...
08/25/2026

FIRST STEPS AFTER YOU DISCLOSE SEXUAL ASSAULT 💜

Telling someone about s*xual assault can take incredible courage. Whether you are sharing your experience for the first time, reporting to law enforcement, or simply telling someone you trust—you deserve to be believed, supported, and treated with dignity.

If you or someone you care about has experienced s*xual assault, here are some important first steps:

🛡️ YOUR RIGHTS MATTER
You have the right to make your own decisions about what happens next. You have the right to ask questions, receive information, and have an advocate support you through the process. You do not have to make every decision immediately.

🏥 CONSIDER MEDICAL CARE
Medical care can help address injuries, discuss pregnancy prevention, test for or prevent certain infections, and provide other care based on your individual needs. You can seek medical attention even if you are not ready to report the assault.

🧾 PRESERVE EVIDENCE IF YOU CAN
If you think you may want a forensic exam or report later, consider avoiding showering, changing clothes, brushing your teeth, or washing items that may contain evidence until you have spoken with a medical professional or advocate.
But if you have already showered, changed clothes, or washed—please still seek care. It is NOT too late to ask for help.

📱 SAVE WHAT YOU CAN
If the assault involved texts, messages, social media, photographs, emails, or other digital communication, consider preserving them. Don't put pressure on yourself to collect everything—an advocate can help you understand your options.

💜 PROTECT YOUR EMOTIONAL SAFETY
You may feel fear, anger, numbness, shame, confusion, sadness, or nothing at all. There is no “right” way to respond to trauma. Stay near people who make you feel safe, give yourself permission to take things one moment at a time, and remember: what happened to you was not your fault.

🤝 YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS ALONE
A s*xual assault advocate can help you understand your rights, explore your options, connect you with medical and legal resources, and provide emotional support—without forcing you to make decisions before you are ready.

Sexual Violence Prevention Starts With UsPreventing s*xual violence isn’t just about teaching people how to protect them...
08/24/2026

Sexual Violence Prevention Starts With Us

Preventing s*xual violence isn’t just about teaching people how to protect themselves. It’s about creating a culture where s*xual violence is never accepted, excused, minimized, or ignored.

Our prevention goals should be bigger than simply responding after harm occurs. We must work together to stop s*xual violence before it happens.

💜 Our goals include:

• Teaching and modeling healthy relationships and respect.
• Educating our communities about consent and bodily autonomy.
• Challenging victim-blaming, r**e myths, and harmful stereotypes.
• Teaching children and teens that they have the right to say NO and that they must respect someone else’s NO.
• Recognizing and addressing grooming, coercion, harassment, and controlling behaviors.
• Encouraging bystanders to safely speak up and intervene.
• Creating schools, workplaces, homes, and communities where survivors are believed and supported.
• Promoting accountability for those who choose to cause harm.
• Making conversations about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships normal—not uncomfortable or taboo.
• Empowering everyone to understand that s*xual violence is preventable.

Prevention is not something we do once a year. It is something we practice every day—in the words we use, the behaviors we model, the boundaries we respect, and the culture we choose to create.

We can change the culture.
We can challenge harmful beliefs.
We can teach respect.
We can believe survivors.
We can prevent s*xual violence.

💜 Prevention starts with all of us.

Address

606 NW 5th Street , Suite B
Brainerd, MN
56401

Telephone

+12188280494

Website

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