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You Are Not Alone
Experiencing violence, abuse, stalking, or sexual misconduct can feel overwhelming, but support is available. What happened is not your fault, and you deserve to be safe, respected, and supported.
Center for Survivors advocates provide free, confidential, survivor-centered support and can help you:
Every survivor's journey is different. Whether you are seeking information, support, medical care, counseling, advocacy, or simply someone to talk with, the Center for Survivors is here to help.
Experiences of sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual misconduct can have profound impacts on safety, well-being, relationships, academics, work, and daily life. If you have experienced any form of interpersonal violence, support is available. The information below may help you better understand these experiences and connect with resources for healing, recovery, and support.
Sexual violence and sexual misconduct can affect people of all identities and backgrounds. These experiences may include sexual assault, sexual coercion, sexual harassment, unwanted sexual contact, or other forms of non-consensual sexual behavior.
Every survivor's experience is unique. People respond to sexual violence in many different ways, and there is no "right" or "wrong" way to feel or react. This website provides information about trauma, common responses to violence, reporting options, medical care, advocacy, counseling, healing, and recovery resources.
Whether the experience occurred recently or years ago, support is available.
Reach Out for Help and Support
If you would like help understanding your options or need emotional support, you can contact our Crisis Hotline or Crisis Chat. Both services are free, confidential, and available to anyone who needs support; you do not need to be affiliated with MSU.
24-Hour Crisis Hotline: (517) 372-6666
Crisis Chat, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.: centerforsurvivors.msu.edu
In an emergency, call 911.
A sexual assault medical forensic exam is a free medical exam that can provide care and collect evidence up to five days after a sexual assault. The exam is completed by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), a healthcare provider with specialized training.
During an exam, you can receive care for injuries or trauma, preventive treatment for sexually transmitted infections, HIV, or pregnancy, and evidence collection that gives you time to decide whether you want to make a report.
In the greater Lansing area, exams are available through the programs listed below:
MSU Sexual Assault Healthcare Program
Open to anyone age 18 and older.
Call 517-353-2700.
Student Services Building, 2nd Floor
556 E. Circle Dr., East Lansing, MI 48824
Sparrow Hospital Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program
Open to children and adults.
Walk in to the Emergency Department 24/7 or call 517-364-1000.
1215 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912
Many hospitals provide medical forensic exams, and some community-based programs offer them as well. To find a SANE program in another area, call the RAINN hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Relationship violence, also called domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or abuse, is a pattern of behaviors used by one person to gain power and control over another person in a relationship.
Abuse can happen in many ways, including:
Relationship violence is not limited to physical harm. It can include ongoing patterns of manipulation, intimidation, isolation, or control that affect a person’s safety, well-being, relationships, education, work, and sense of self.
Abuse can make survivors question their experiences, feel responsible for what happened, or believe they have few options for help. The person causing harm may also appear caring, charming, or well-respected to others, which can make the abuse harder to recognize.
MSU Center for Survivors
Stalking is a pattern of unwanted behavior directed at another person to control, intimidate, threaten, monitor, or create fear. Stalking is serious, can be dangerous, and may escalate over time.
Stalking often happens within a current or former relationship, but it can also involve acquaintances, classmates, coworkers, or strangers.
Examples of stalking may include:
If someone’s behavior makes you feel afraid, unsafe, or constantly monitored, trust your instincts. Your concerns are valid.
Justice and healing look different for everyone. For some survivors, reporting can be an important part of healing. The decision to report is yours. Advocates can help you understand your options and support you through the process.
Reporting can feel complicated or overwhelming. Center for Survivors advocates can provide confidential support, explain your options, and help you make the choice that feels right for you. Call the Center for Survivors front desk at 517-355-3551 during business hours and ask to connect with a Staff Advocate or email general@msu.edu.
You can also learn more from the MSU Police Department’s Special Victims Unit Resource Sheet (PDF).
Healing after sexual violence is different for everyone. There is no set timeline, and recovery may have ups and downs. Talking with a trained therapist can help you understand the impact of what happened and identify supports for healing.
MSU students, staff, and faculty can email general@msu.edu to get connected with a therapist.