The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maine marked Sexual Assault Awareness Month with a public reminder that sexual violence is serious, harmful, and a community issue. These kinds of announcements usually aim to increase awareness, encourage reporting, and point people toward support services and justice-system resources.

For survivors, public awareness statements can be meaningful because they may:

• signal that sexual assault is being taken seriously by government offices,
• remind people that help exists even if they are not ready to report,
• encourage communities to talk more openly about consent, safety, and support,
• connect survivors to victim services, advocacy, and legal options.

At the same time, news about sexual assault can be triggering. If reading this brings up fear, shame, panic, numbness, or memories, that reaction is valid. You do not have to keep reading if it feels overwhelming.

This update may matter to:

• survivors of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault,
• people currently deciding whether to tell someone, seek medical care, or report,
• friends, partners, family members, and advocates supporting a survivor,
• people who are worried about retaliation, privacy, or being believed,
• anyone who wants to understand what public agencies are doing during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

A public awareness message from a U.S. Attorney’s Office does not automatically change a survivor’s situation, but it can be a doorway to support. In many places, federal and local victim services may help with:

• safety planning,
• information about reporting options,
• referrals to counseling and advocacy,
• help understanding court processes,
• updates about rights as a victim or witness,
• connections to sexual assault nurse examiners or medical care.

If you are unsure whether what happened “counts,” you still deserve support. You do not need to prove your experience to ask for help.

If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services now if it is safe to do so. If calling could put you at risk, consider leaving the area if you can, moving to a safer room, or contacting a trusted person who can help you get to safety.

You do not need to solve everything at once. The next step might be:

• texting a trusted person,
• going to a safer location,
• saving evidence if you want to preserve it,
• contacting a hotline or advocate,
• seeking medical attention.

If the assault was recent and you may want to report later, try to avoid bathing, changing clothes, brushing teeth, or cleaning the area before a medical exam if you can safely wait. If you already did any of these, you can still seek care and support.

A sexual assault forensic exam may be available in many areas, often called a rape kit or SANE exam. You can usually ask about:

• injury treatment,
• STI prevention or testing,
• emergency contraception,
• documentation of injuries,
• whether an exam can be done without immediately reporting to police, depending on local rules.

An advocate can help you think through options without pressure. They may explain reporting, accompany you to an exam, and help you plan for safety and privacy.

If it is safe, write down:

• dates and times,
• what you remember,
• names or descriptions,
• messages, calls, or photos,
• any witnesses.

Only do this if it does not increase your risk.

• If you are in the U.S. and need sexual assault support, contact the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673) or use online chat at rainn.org.
• If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services.

• U.S. Attorney’s Offices often work with victim-witness programs and referrals to local services.
• Local rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and hospital-based advocates can help even if you are not ready to report.
• If you are in Maine, you can ask local hospitals, police victim advocates, or community sexual assault programs about confidential support and forensic exam options.

You can help by:

• believing them,
• asking what they need instead of telling them what to do,
• offering practical help like transportation or a quiet place to rest,
• avoiding pressure to report,
• respecting their choices and timing.

• You do not have to decide everything today.
• Reporting is a choice in many situations, and support is available even if you do not report.
• If the person who harmed you has access to your phone, accounts, home, or workplace, think about digital and physical safety before contacting services.
• If you are worried about being overheard, use a safer device or ask an advocate about confidential ways to connect.
• If reading about sexual assault is making you feel worse, it is okay to pause, breathe, and return later or not at all.

This news item is a general awareness update, not a case-specific announcement. The public notice does not provide details about a particular survivor, investigation, or new legal policy, so its direct impact may be mainly informational and supportive rather than immediate.

Because the publication date is unknown and the page is a broad awareness message, survivors should not assume it changes deadlines, reporting rules, or legal rights in their area. If you need advice about your specific situation, a local advocate, attorney, or victim services office can help explain what applies to you.

If this resource is for you, you deserve care, privacy, and choices. You are allowed to move slowly, ask questions, and seek support in the way that feels safest for you.