Central MN Sexual Assault Center

What: CMSAC will be starting an educational support group, titled, “Empower Me-Empower We,” for women who have experienced sexual violence and also identify as having a disability.

When: The “Empower Me-Empower We” group will begin on January 21, 2016 and will run from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Where: Independent Lifestyles at 215 North Benton Drive in Sauk Rapids, MN.

I am interested, but I would like to learn more about the group: For more information click here: EMEW Flyer

I am interested and have all the information. How do I sign up?: To fill out an intake for the “Empower Me-Empower We” group click here: EMEW Intake Form

Note: Completed intakes can be mailed to/ or dropped off at:

Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center 

15 Riverside Drive NE St. Cloud, MN 56304

or faxed to: (320) 251-4670

or emailed to: cmsac@cmsac.org

We hope to hear from you!

Happy Holidays from the staff at CMSAC! The holidays are meant to be a time of celebration and joy. However, for survivors of sexual violence, the holidays can feel both stressful and isolating. CMSAC is here to help! CMSAC has a 24 hour crisis line that is available 365 days a year and will be available to you this holiday season by dialing (320) 251-4357.  For more information and helpful tips on surviving the holidays, follow this link: How to Survive the Holidays

CMSAC is building partnerships and working on primary prevention through MNCASA’s Prevention Advocacy Peer Leadership team! “The focus of the Peer Leader program is to mobilize people throughout the state to advocate for the primary prevention of sexual violence as an urgent community priority”, said Yvonne Cournoyer, Prevention Program Manager at MNCASA. Our Direct/Outreach Services Coordinator is pictured below. For more information on primary prevention resources, visit the “Reporting-Medical Exams-Education-Safety” tab, located here on our website.

99 Coping Skills Poster: Taking care of yourself after a traumatic event is essential for healing spiritually, emotionally, and physically. There are several types of coping skill ideas to choose from. Some coping skills work as a distraction. An example of a coping skill used for the purpose of distracting would be watching a movie. Other coping skills involve reaching out for support by talking with a friend or engaging in physical activity. Yoga is one type of physical activity. Finally, coping skills can be emotions or thoughts, such as using self talk or positive affirmations and/or humor. Positive affirmations (i.e. self talk) and humor act as a buffer from those negative thoughts or feelings we have when coping with trauma. At the beginning of this post, you will find a list of 99 coping skill ideas to use. Please note that this list is not comprehensive, as there are many types of coping skill ideas not listed here. For more ideas, contact us via email at cmsac@cmsac.org.

On December 1st, 2015 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, St. Cloud State University will be showing the documentary titled, The Hunting Ground. The showing will be held in Atwood’s Cascade Room. A panel discussion will follow, and CMSAC will be represented on this panel.  We hope to see you there!

CMSAC would like to take a moment to acknowledge that November is National Native American Heritage Month!

Last Friday, CMSAC held a meeting to discuss successes of our 2015 Central MN Take Back the Night event, as well as things to improve upon for next year’s event.

CMSAC would like to hear from you! If you attended the event in 2015. What were some things you liked about the event? What are some things that could be improved upon for next year’s event? Please leave your comments or email us at cmsac@cmsac.org. CMSAC thanks you for your input.

Happy Monday from the staff at CMSAC and our friendly neighborhood squirrel! We hope you are enjoying your day! Did you know that CMSAC has a 24 hour crisis line?

The ABILITY event will be held this Friday, October 30th from 10 am to 2 pm in the Atwood Ballroom on the campus of St. Cloud State University. The ABILITY event works to raise awareness of persons with disabilities and what individuals with a disability may experience on a daily basis. Simulation experiences, a working lunch, and a community panel will follow. We hope to see you there! For more information and to register for the event, please follow this link…http://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-ability-event-tickets-18861880392