Women’s Center part of U.P. wide grant creating outreach for sexual assault victims

MARQUETTE — The Women’s Center of Marquette is now part of a U.P. wide collaborative rural grant for sexual assault and domestic violence.

The grant began in January and works with several other domestic violence shelters in the U.P. along with Dial Help, a community based crisis center located in Houghton. The focus of this grant is to outreach to domestic violence victims with an emphasis on sexual assault, such as letting people know what services are available.

Additionally, these programs will collaborate to provide easy access to services through one area wide toll free number.
The use of technology through this grant, such as utilizing safe texting will create easier access for victims.

“People will have an additional 800 number to call, but the really nice thing about it is that they have a texting ability with that number. When you think of someone in a crisis situation, you might not be able to talk on the phone, you may just be able to text, and I think that’s very important,” said Women’s Center Executive Director, Beth Casady.

Casady added that this is an exciting project that enhances the Women’s Centers ability to reach out to survivors. This grant is also fitting for this time of year; April is sexual assault awareness month.