Our team is your team, here to support, advocate, and stand with you.
Our Services
Our services are available to those 13 and older who have experienced sexual violence or have a loved one who has experienced sexual violence. We are available whether it happened yesterday, or years ago – we believe you and it was not your fault. All our services are free of cost and your information will not be shared without your permission.
One of our advocates is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week at 218-726-1931.
24-hour Helpline and Hospital Advocacy Response
24-Hour Helpline
PAVSA advocates respond on our helpline 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
PAVSA advocates are here to support you on your healing journey, when you are ready. We’re here to get you through this without judgment. They will share knowledge, offer options, and empower survivors in their healing. They will also explain confidentiality to you, not share your information without your permission, and inform you of their mandated reporting requirements.
Advocates offer a range of support following sexual violence, trafficking and exploitation including:
- Normalize and validate feelings around your experience
- Discuss a safety plan
- Provide information about reporting to the police
- Seek shelter at local shelters
- Assist with transportation to and/or from the hospital for a medical forensic exam
- Assist in relocating for safety
- Offer interpretive services
- Offer referrals if needs are outside our scope of services
If you want to talk to someone right now, call 218-726-1931
Hospital Advocacy Response
Advocates respond to emergency departments in Duluth 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
If you have questions about what to expect at the hospital or need help with transportation, a PAVSA advocate is available 24/7 at 218-726-1931.
Medical Forensic Exam with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
SANEs are Registered Nurses who are trained to understand the dynamics of sexual violence, provide survivor-centered care, and collect forensic evidence. During the exam, patients will be offered a head-to-toe medical exam, medications to prevent some Sexually Transmitted Infections and pregnancy, and an opportunity to have evidence collected. You have the right to medical care after a sexual assault at no cost to you. You do not have to report to the police to get medical care.
Our Area Emergency Rooms:
Essentia/St. Mary’s ER Duluth
401 E 1st Street
Duluth, MN 55805
Aspirus/St. Luke’s ER
1030 E 2nd Street
Duluth, MN 55805
Aspirus/Lake View Memorial ER
325 11th Avenue
Two Harbors, MN 55616
Essentia/St. Mary’s ER Superior
3500 Tower Avenue
Superior, WI 54880
Support Advocacy
PAVSA advocates are here to support you on your healing journey, when you are ready. We’re here to get you through this without judgment. They will share knowledge, offer options, and empower survivors in their healing. They will also explain confidentiality to you, not share your information without your permission, and inform you of their mandated reporting requirements.
Advocates offer a range of support following sexual violence, trafficking and exploitation including:
- Normalize and validate feelings around your experience
- Discuss a safety plan
- Provide information about reporting to the police
- Seek shelter at local shelters
- Assist with transportation to and/or from the hospital for a medical forensic exam
- Assist in relocating for safety
- Offer interpretive services
- Offer referrals if needs are outside our scope of services
You can meet with a PAVSA advocate over the phone, video conferencing, or in-person. Also, there may be availability to meet with an advocate at your school and medical, treatment, or correctional facility.
If you want to talk to someone right now, call 218-726-1931.
Therapy
Licensed therapists are here to support you on your healing journey by providing trauma-informed therapeutic services. These services are at no cost to you and we do not ask for any insurance information. We believe that you should have quick access to therapeutic services, when you are ready.
You can meet with our therapist over the phone, video conferencing, or in-person.
Legal Advocacy and Representation
PAVSA advocates and an attorney are here to support you if you have safety concerns, need assistance in reporting, and/or help dealing with the aftermath of sexual violence. After a sexual assault you may feel powerless. We’re here for you, whatever you decide.
Advocates offer a range of legal services following sexual violence, including:
- Apply for a protection order, known as an Order for Protection (OFP) or Harassment Restraining Orders (HRO)
- Apply for the Safe at Home Address Confidentiality Program
- Accompany you to report sexual violence, including trafficking and exploitation, to the police
- Accompany you to interviews with law enforcement and/or educational institutions”
- Provide information about the criminal justice process
- Accompany you to court and campus hearings
- Assist you in ending a lease due to sexual violence”
- Assist you to complete a Crime Victims Reimbursement Application
- Support you when you write and deliver your Victim Impact Statement
- Attorney offers legal advice and representation in civil matters including:
- Divorce, Child Custody, and Paternity
- Housing (landlord/tenant disputes)
- Orders for Protection/Harassment Restraining Orders
- Title IX
- Employment
- Immigration
Don’t hesitate to reach out, even if you’re not sure what type of legal help you need or it’s not listed above.
Support Groups
We offer multiple support group classes designed to bring survivors together in a safe space to help move forward.
Trauma-Conscious Yoga with Svälja Yoga:
Mondays from 5-6pm
Sexual violence disconnects the mind from the body and yoga practice works to restore that connection. The class is perfect for beginners and experienced yoga practitioners alike. It is a one-hour, slow paced, gentle, and restorative practice. All abilities and gender identities are welcome. Yoga mats are available to use. This class is offered in-person and online.
Registration required ahead of time if interested in attending.
Art Group:
Wednesdays from 3-4pm
Facilitated by Licensed Therapists. Build resilience, learn coping skills, acknowledge strengths, utilize artistic exploration, and process thoughts and feelings. Supplies provided. No art experience needed. 18+ welcome.
Take Back the Hike:
A series of 6 hikes on July 9th, July 23rd, August 4th, August 20th, September 3rd and September 17th
Hikes start at 5:30pm
An inclusive hiking support group for everyone. Advocates are hosting a series of biweekly inclusive hiking groups to encourage safe and guided connections to community and nature in the Twin Ports. Hikes range from 2.5 to 5.5 miles and take about 1-2 hours.
To sign up, fill out our registration form.
Support for Partners, Friends, and Family of Survivors
We know supporting your loved one in the aftermath of sexual violence can be challenging. It can be hard to know what to say, how to support them, and how to support the choices they make in reporting and healing. It can even be triggering or re-traumatizing if you have sexual violence in your past.
Survivors will share their experience with others in their own time and their own way. It is important to honor their decisions. However, it is also important that you get the support you need as someone who is also affected. PAVSA advocates are here to support you, share their knowledge, and offer options. The information you share with advocates will not be shared with anyone else without your permission.
To get connected to a PAVSA advocate, please call our 24-hour helpline at 218-726-1931.