If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, we are here 24/7.
24-Hour Crisis Line: (907) 276-7273
Toll-Free Crisis Line: (800) 478-8999
All STAR services for Survivors are provided free of charge.
Whether you need assistance or if you are seeking information to support a friend, STAR's trained Crisis Line Responders are prepared to take your call. We can help you discuss what has happened, provide resources to aid in your journey toward healing and recovery, and link you to STAR's Direct Services for immediate and long-term support.
Frequently Asked Questions
After Sexual Assault
After sexual assault, it’s hard to know how to react. You may be physically hurt, emotionally drained, or unsure what to do next. You may be considering working with the criminal justice system, but are unsure of where to start. Learning more about what steps you can take following sexual violence can help ground you in a difficult time.
If you are a friend or family member of someone who has experienced sexual violence, it can take a toll on you. You will likely need some support, too.
Call us, we are here to help.
What are my options?
There are always options but they vary depending on your age and where the crime occurred.*
1. Report to Law Enforcement, receive a forensic exam and medical care
2. Report Anonymously, receive a forensic exam and medical care
3. Access medical care through the ER or a medical provider
Only you can decide what the best choice is for you, but STAR can help you understand your options along the way.
*If you are under 18 or are considered a vulnerable adult, a report MUST be made regarding your safety. All of STAR’s staff are mandated reporters, and if you provide any identifying information and disclose your age, a report will be made to the Office of Children’s Services or Adult Protective Services.
What if I want to remain anonymous?
Within the Municipality of Anchorage, adults have the option to receive a medical/forensic exam by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) without making a report to law enforcement. As an anonymous victim, your health- care needs will be addressed and any evidence collected will be preserved while you have time to think about whether you want to report to law enforcement. If you choose to report the crime to law enforcement at a later date, you will need to sign a consent form provided by the SANE. Once you open the report to law enforcement, the police will need to interview you, and may contact the suspect and witnesses to interview them.
How should I contact Law Enforcement?
If you are considering reporting to Law Enforcement, the best way to know which agency to call is to simply dial 911. You will be connected to the agency that has jurisdiction.
How do I obtain a Protective Order?
Protective Order Information from STAR.pdf
Step-By-Step DV Protective Orders Flow Chart.pdf
Where can I go for medical support?
If you are an adult, you have the right to medical care without law enforcement notification. Seeking immediate assistance through an Emergency Room and asking to speak with an Advocate will ensure your health, privacy, and rights are protected.
Medical & Law Enforcement Agencies
Click here for contact information about local Medical and Law Enforcement Agencies.
About Consent
Did I consent?
3 big questions must be answered before sexual consent can be given. If even one of these issues occurred, then you have the right to report and get help.
Age
If you are under 16, the other person has authority over you (such as a coach, teacher, or boss) and you are under 18, or a teen with more than four years of age difference, you cannot legally consent.
Aware
If you were asleep or passed out when it happened, drunk, using drugs, or you think you were drugged or have a guardian who makes decisions for you, you cannot give consent.
Interest
If you didn’t want sex and you were clear about it, thought you wanted sex, but changed your mind and said no or tried to shut the situation down when you became uncomfortable, but were ignored, you did not give consent.
Without consent, it is sexual assault.
Reporting Sexual Abuse of a Minor
Any suspected abuse of a minor should be immediately reported by professionals under Mandated Reporting requirements.
You can always call STAR if you have questions, or you can find more information and contact Alaska's Office of Children's Services.
Report Child Abuse
Call: 1-800-478-4444
Email: [email protected]
Fax: 907-269-3939
For more information or Mandatory Reporter Training: www.ReportChildAbuse.alaska.gov
For more information or Mandatory Reporter Training: www.ReportChildAbuse.alaska.gov
STAR's Ongoing Support
Counseling Services and Referrals
STAR’s Counselors provide free therapy services for survivors of sexual assault and abuse who do not have access through any other means (for example, if someone has no health insurance or counseling coverage). Counseling at STAR is a brief model of therapy – usually 8-10 sessions. It is trauma-focused and geared toward crisis stabilization.
Legal Advocacy Services
STAR Advocates can assist you with criminal, civil, and family law issues. While Advocates are not attorneys and cannot offer legal advice, they are a valuable resource as you clarify your needs, become familiar with your rights, and determine action plans.
STAR can also provide information regarding:
Reporting Options
Compensation for You
Protective Orders
Pro-Bono Family Law Interventions
Help Finding An Attorney
What is the Reporting Process Like?
Due to the nature of the subject matter in this video, please know the content may be difficult to hear and can be triggering to those listening. Please take all necessary precautions and care while watching this interview.
This interview features Blaze Bell, a STAR Volunteer and lifelong Alaskan, Speaker, Singer, and Transformational Coach, and Detective Chris Thomas, a Special Victims Unit Detective with the Anchorage Police Department.
In this conversation, Chris shares in depth about the role of law enforcement in an SVU case.
STAR Brochures
Guided Videos, Healing Tools, and Peer Support for Survivors
Featuring Blaze Bell
Blaze, a local motivational speaker, singer, life coach, and healer, has transformed her pain into her purpose. She pulls on her personal story of overcoming trauma and addiction as she provides inspiration, perspective shifts, healing tools, and a way to move out of victimhood and into being the empowered creators we came here to be!
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides 24/7, free, confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress.
Alaska 211
A service of the United Ways in Alaska
No matter where you live in Alaska, 2-1-1 is your one-stop resource for connecting with a wide variety of services in your community including emergency food and shelter, educational opportunities, alcohol and drug treatment programs, senior services, child care, and much more.
Anchorage Resources
Contact information for service agencies within the Municipality of Anchorage.
NEW September 2022 Edition
This Anchorage
Community Emergency and
Advocacy Resources
booklet, also known as
The Little Blue Book,
is provided as a guide to
available services
and assistance.
State of Alaska
Department of Public Safety
Information for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking (Handbook)
State of Alaska
2023 Crime in Alaska Supplemental Report: Felony Level Sex Offenses
Alaska Network
on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault promotes and sustains a collective movement to end violence and oppression through social change.
Click here to view the ANDVSA FY20 Annual Report
Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS)
Comprehensive Data on Violence Against Alaskan Women
Since 2010, the Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) has provided comprehensive statewide and regional data to guide planning and policy development and to evaluate the impact of prevention and intervention services.
Alaska Native Justice Center
Voices for Justice
ANJC was established in 1993 to address Alaska Native and Alaskan people’s unmet needs within the civil and criminal justice system, in response to the increasing disproportionate rates of victimization, incarceration, and other justice-related issues impacting Alaska Native people statewide.
RAINN.org
National Resources & Information
RAINN, (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE and online.rainn.org) and the DoD Safe Helpline.
To find information about laws in your state, click here.
NSVRC
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) provides information and tools to prevent and respond to sexual violence. NSVRC translates research and trends into best practices that help individuals, communities and service providers achieve real and lasting change. For more information visit www.nsvrc.org
National Deaf Hotline
The Deaf Hotline is a 24/7 hotline formed by a partnership between ADWAS (Abused Deaf Women’s Advocacy Services) and NDVH (National Domestic Violence Hotline) and offers 24/7 support for the national deaf community.
Support is also available via email and live chat.
After the Assault
Podcast
This podcast aims to help us understand what survivors experience in the aftermath of sexual violence and during police investigations. They also explore a crucial question for survivors: How can healing happen even when justice does not?
Listen on Apple Podcasts
NSVRC
Resource on the Go Weekly Podcast
A podcast created by NSVRC on understanding, responding to and preventing sexual abuse and assault.
Substance Misuse Recovery for Trauma Survivors
No matter what you may be going through, know that support is available to help you recover from the effects of sexual assault, including problems with drugs or alcohol.
Your gift today provides vital support services.
Thank you for standing with us.