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Prevention & Education
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Your Rights. Your Voice. Your Choice.
Understanding your rights is an important part of reclaiming your voice. Fair Haven is committed to ensuring survivors are informed, respected, and supported throughout their journey.
Know Your Rights in Indiana
You deserve to understand the protections available to you. Indiana law recognizes important rights for people who have experienced sexual assault, including the opportunity to speak with an advocate and to receive information before certain medical and investigative procedures.
The Right to Speak With an Advocate
Under Indiana Code § 35-40.5-3-1, a sexual assault victim has the right to speak with a victim advocate or victim service provider during a hospital visit for a sexual assault examination and during the investigation. If one is unavailable, the law provides for speaking with victims assistance or a social worker.
The Right to Information
Indiana Code §§ 35-40.5-4-2 and 35-40.5-5-1 require specified information about rights and advocacy to be provided before a forensic examination or law enforcement interview.
The Right to Make Informed Decisions
You may ask questions about medical care, forensic evidence collection, reporting, and available services. Indiana Code § 35-40.5-7-1 states that a victim need not undergo a medical evidentiary or physical examination to retain the rights provided by law.
The Right to Respectful Treatment
Survivors deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Fair Haven advocates can help explain relevant rights, discuss options, and provide support as you navigate unfamiliar systems.
Your Conversations Are Protected
Trust is essential when reaching out for help. Indiana law provides important confidentiality and privilege protections for communication between survivors and qualifying community-based victim advocates.
Under Indiana Code 35-37-6-1, protected confidential communications can include conversations, advocacy records, and information shared in qualifying support groups. Indiana Code 35-37-6-9 generally prevents compelled disclosure of confidential communications and information by a victim advocate or victim service provider unless the survivor gives the required written authorization, subject to applicable law and exceptions.
Fair Haven advocates explain privacy protections, their limits, and circumstances in which disclosure may be required. You can ask questions about confidentiality before deciding what you want to share.
Your story matters. Your privacy matters. Your choices matter.
What Should I Expect?
Every situation is different. These answers offer a starting point for understanding what may happen when you seek help.
What happens when I go to the hospital?
A healthcare professional can address immediate medical needs and explain available examination options. You can request to speak with an advocate, ask questions, and make informed decisions about your care.
Do I have to report to law enforcement?
Adults may have options for receiving a forensic examination without immediately making a police report. Requirements can differ when minors or mandatory reporting are involved. An advocate can help explain the options that apply.
Can an advocate support me during an investigation?
Yes. Indiana law recognizes the right to speak with a victim advocate during the investigation. Advocates provide information and emotional support; they do not make decisions for you.
Who coordinates the response?
Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) bring together advocates, healthcare professionals, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other partners to strengthen local response practices and protocols.
Stronger Together — Sexual Assault Response Teams
Collaboration. Accountability. Survivor-Centered Care.
Fair Haven does not work in isolation. A compassionate, effective response to sexual violence depends on advocates, healthcare providers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and other partners understanding their roles and working together.
Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) bring these professionals together to improve coordination, identify barriers, strengthen protocols, and support a more informed and respectful response to survivors.
Fair Haven helps lead the Lake County Sexual Assault Response Team and participates in the Porter County SART. Through these partnerships, we contribute to conversations about response practices, interdisciplinary training, and ongoing improvements across Northwest Indiana ensuring the Survivors voice remains centered!
Because survivors deserve more than individual services. They deserve systems that work together to support them.
What does SART mean for a survivor?
A coordinated response can help reduce confusion, clarify responsibilities, strengthen communication among responding professionals, and support access to compassionate care. Survivor privacy and choice remain central to this work.
