About Us

Our Mission

Sexual Assault Services is committed to providing empathic, non-judgmental, comprehensive services, support and advocacy for survivors and others affected by sexual assault or abuse; raising awareness of sexual assault; and engaging others to help in holding offenders accountable and to achieve a community free of sexual violence.

Our Commitment to Survivors and the Community

Sexual Assault Services is dedicated to helping individuals who have experienced sexual assault or abuse. We work every day to make our community safer by:

• Offering support and advocacy: Our trained staff and volunteers provide emotional support, answer questions, and help survivors get connected to the resources they need.
• Raising awareness: We educate the public to prevent sexual violence and reduce stigma.
• Building a safer community: We work with others to create a future free from sexual violence.
• Promoting accountability: We work in partnership with law enforcement agencies and community organizations to ensure that individuals who commit sexual assault are held accountable. Together, we are committed to promoting justice and supporting survivors.

What We Believe

• Everyone deserves to be safe. No one has the right to harm or violate another person in a sexual way. Sexual assault is an act of power and violence committed by one human being against the will of another.
• Sexual assault is a potentially painful experience. Survivors may face both physical and emotional pain. Healing takes time and support.
• Misinformation and stereotypes about sexual assault can make it harder for survivors to get help and be believed and can impact the survivors’ friends, family members, and the community as a whole.

How We Define Sexual Violence

• Any sexual act or behavior that is forced, coerced, manipulated, or done without a person's clear, voluntary, and ongoing consent. It includes a wide range of experiences such as:
  • sexual assault (unwanted touching, rape, or attempted rape)
  • sexual abuse (especially when there is a pattern of behavior or abuse of power)
  • sexual exploitation (taking advantage of someone sexually for personal gain, including using images, money, or favors)
  • sexual harassment (unwanted sexual comments or behaviors that make someone feel unsafe or degraded)

Sexual violence is not about sex—it's about power and control. It can happen to anyone, no matter their age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, background, or relationship to the person causing harm.

Everyone responds to trauma differently. There is no "right" way to feel or heal. What happened is never the survivor's fault. Healing is possible, and support is available.

Our History

When the Calhoun County Sexual Assault & Abuse Coordinating Council determined a strong need for sexual assault services, the Battle Creek Health System helped make it a reality. They agreed to become a non-profit fiduciary agent for our program. In October of 1996, we received our first grant funding and began providing SANE, counseling, and victim advocacy services utilizing community volunteers. Since then, Sexual Assault Services, with tremendous community support and leadership, has become a leading agency in Michigan, working to assist victims, raise awareness and end sexual violence in Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Van Buren counties.

We are now a department of Bronson Battle Creek, and the Sexual Assault Coordinating Council is merged as part of the Calhoun County Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Coordinating Council. We provide sexual assault nurse examiner services at several hospitals throughout the region including Bronson Battle Creek, Bronson LakeView Hospital and Bronson Methodist Hospital. We also provide sexual assault nurse examiner services at the Kalamazoo YWCA.

Help Support Our Mission

Help support our mission by making a donation today. To make a tax-deductible gift to Sexual Assault Services, visit the Bronson Health Foundation's Sexual Assault Services Fund .

To mail your donation, you can send your check, made payable to Bronson Health Foundation, to:

Your gift will be used to support the Sexual Assault Prevention & Community Education Program.

At Bronson, each of our patients has the right to dignified, respectful and considerate care regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or ability to pay for care.