● Available 24/7Arrested over the holidays? Read what happens nextHoliday OWI arrest? Start here2675 44th St SW #208, Wyoming, MI 49519
FbInYtXIg
SHShawn HaffCriminal Defense Attorney
Call 616-438-6719Call Now
Call 616-438-6719

Michigan Legal Resource Library · If you were harmed, or your child was

Where to Get Help After Sexual Assault: Hotlines and West Michigan Programs

Last reviewed against current Michigan law ·49 sources cited

Key points

  • In an emergency, call 911. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800.656.HOPE (4673), or text HOPE to 64673; it is free, confidential and open 24/7.[1][2][3]
  • Michigan's statewide VOICES4 hotline is 1-855-864-2374 for calls and texts, and the State describes it as 24/7, confidential, anonymous and free.[4][5]
  • A Michigan hospital must offer a medical forensic examination to a person who says they were the victim of criminal sexual conduct within the preceding 120 hours, and the provider may not bill the patient for it.[6][7]
  • Nurse examiner programs were verified on the organizations' own sites for Kent, Ottawa, Allegan and Kalamazoo counties, and the State's directory lists one serving Van Buren; for Muskegon, Barry, Ionia, Montcalm, Newaygo and Berrien none was verified, and the State says its directory and hotline can be used to find one.[8][9][10][11][12]

If you are in danger or need medical care right now, call 911.[1][2] To reach an advocate at any hour, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or text HOPE to 64673.[3] In Michigan you can also call or text the statewide VOICES4 hotline at 1-855-864-2374.[4][5]

This page lists the hotlines that answer around the clock and the sexual assault programs, nurse examiner programs and children's advocacy centers that serve eleven West Michigan counties. Each entry was read on the program's own website, or on the State's victim-services directory where noted, on 4 October 2026. Numbers and addresses change, so check the program's site if a line does not connect.

The numbers to know

  • 911 for an emergency or urgent medical care.[1][2]
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 800.656.HOPE (4673), online chat at RAINN.org/hotline, or text HOPE to 64673. RAINN describes the service as free, confidential and available 24/7, in English and Spanish.[3] RAINN announced on July 27, 2026 that the hotline can also be reached through the encrypted messaging app Signal, in addition to WhatsApp.[13] Details are on RAINN's hotline page.
  • Michigan VOICES4 hotline: call or text 1-855-864-2374 (855-VOICES4). The State describes the line as 24/7, confidential, anonymous and free.[4][5] TTY users can call 517-381-8470, and online chat is offered through the coalition's hotline page.[5]
  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call, text or chat 988; the Lifeline says it is available 24/7/365 and that conversations are free and confidential.[14]

VOICES4 is one statewide line for sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking.[4][5] The State says it is for anyone in Michigan who has experienced any of those at any point in life, anyone supporting or working with a survivor, and anyone looking for information about local services, and that it offers crisis counseling and referrals to local service providers.[4] Older brochures and websites may print other numbers for the state hotline; the number above is the one on the State's VOICES4 sexual assault page as of 4 October 2026.[4]

RAINN says its hotline is anonymous: it will not ask for a name or location. If a caller who is under 18 or a vulnerable adult chooses to share a name and location, RAINN is required by law to report to authorities, and it may also make a report if it believes a caller is considering suicide.[15]

If you may want a medical forensic exam

Time matters for one thing on this page. Michigan law requires hospital staff to offer a sexual assault medical forensic examination, including an evidence kit, when a person says they were the victim of criminal sexual conduct within the preceding 120 hours, which is five days.[6] The health care provider may not bill the patient for any part of the examination, and a victim cannot be required to take part in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law enforcement in order to have it.[7][16]

The State describes Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs as specialized programs that provide free medical forensic examinations, and notes that most family doctors and general practitioners do not provide forensic evidence collection.[12] What the exam involves, how it is paid for and what happens to the kit are covered in the sexual assault forensic exam and kit testing deadlines.

West Michigan sexual assault programs by county

Use the crisis line when you need to talk to someone now. The last column says whether a nurse examiner program was verified for the county; "none verified" means this guide could not confirm one on the organization's own website, not that no examination is available.

CountyProgramCrisis lineNurse examiner (SANE) exams
KentYWCA West Central Michigan, 25 Sheldon Ave SE, Grand Rapids(616) 454-9922, a 24-hour helpline[17]Yes. The YWCA Nurse Examiner Program provides exams at the YWCA, not in a hospital; it says it serves all ages and genders, does not charge patients and does not require a report to law enforcement.[8]
Ottawa and AlleganResilience: Advocates for Ending Violence1-800-848-5991 or 616-392-1970, a 24/7 sexual assault helpline for victims age 13 and older; Spanish 1-866-728-2131 or 616-355-9755[9]Yes. Resilience schedules free and confidential exams for adults and teens through the same 24-hour line.[9]
MuskegonEvery Woman's Place, 1221 W. Laketon Avenue, Muskegon(231) 722-3333, a 24-hour crisis line[18]None verified. Call the crisis line or VOICES4 to be directed.[18][4]
KalamazooYWCA Kalamazoo, 353 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo269-385-3587, a 24-hour crisis hotline[10]Yes. YWCA Kalamazoo says its exams are done on site in a non-hospital setting, without age restriction, and are free and confidential.[10]
BarryGreen Gables Haven, Hastings269-945-4777, a 24-hour crisis and shelter line; its site also lists a toll-free 24-hour sexual assault hotline, 1.888.383.2192[19]None verified. Call VOICES4 or the sexual assault hotline above to be directed.[19][4]
Ionia and MontcalmRelief After Violent Encounter (RAVE), 850 E. Lincoln Ave., Ionia1-800-720-SAFE (7233), a 24-hour crisis line[20]None verified. Call the crisis line or VOICES4 to be directed.[20][4]
NewaygoWISE, Big Rapids(231) 796-6600 or 800-374-WISE; advocates are available 24/7[21]None verified. Call the crisis line or VOICES4 to be directed.[21][4]
Van BurenDomestic and Sexual Abuse Services (DASAS)1.800.828.2023, a 24-hour hotline[22]The State's directory lists Bronson's hospital-based sexual assault services, including SANE, for Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties; 24-hour crisis line 888-383-2192.[11]
BerrienCaring Connection Empowerment Center, Benton Harbor(269) 925-9500, a 24-hour sexual violence hotline[23]None verified. Call the hotline or VOICES4 to be directed.[23][4]

Details worth knowing before you call

  • Kent: the YWCA's home page says the organization is planning the sale of its building at 25 Sheldon Ave SE, and that its mission and services are unchanged. The helpline is the reliable way to reach it.[17]
  • Ottawa and Allegan: Resilience says all of its services are confidential and that law enforcement involvement is optional.[9] Its sexual assault services are for people age 13 and older; for younger children, see the children's advocacy centers below.[9]
  • Kalamazoo: the Bronson listing comes from the State's victim-services directory for Kalamazoo County, not from Bronson's own website, which this guide did not use.[11]
  • Ionia and Montcalm: 1-800-720-SAFE (7233) is the 24-hour crisis line RAVE prints on its own contact page; it is a different number from the national and statewide hotlines at the top of this page.[20][3][4]
  • Berrien: the Empowerment Center says all of its services are free of charge and confidential.[23]

Counties where no nurse examiner program was verified

For Muskegon, Barry, Ionia, Montcalm, Newaygo and Berrien counties, this guide did not find a nurse examiner program that could be confirmed on the organization's own website, so none is listed and none is guessed at. That does not mean an examination is unavailable there. The hospital duty described above applies to hospitals across the state: when a person tells hospital staff they were the victim of criminal sexual conduct within the preceding 120 hours, the staff must offer the examination.[6] The State's guidance is that where a community has no SANE program, every hospital emergency room is required to provide the examination, and that its service provider directory or hotline can be used to find SANE services.[12] VOICES4 advocates give referrals to local service providers, so one call to 1-855-864-2374 is a way to find the nearest program before traveling.[4]

Children's advocacy centers

The State's guidance to parents is that after a report to law enforcement or Children's Protective Services, those agencies may arrange a forensic interview of the child.[24] Children's advocacy centers are among the places such services are provided; Safe Harbor, for example, lists medical services, forensic interviews, counseling and victim advocacy, all free.[25] A report itself goes to the State's intake line or the police: the Ottawa County center states that its contact form is not for reporting abuse and directs reports to the State's intake line.[26][24] Suspected child abuse or neglect can be reported at any time, day or night, online or by calling 855-444-3911.[27] The State explains that Children's Protective Services investigates only when the person suspected is a parent, guardian or other person responsible for the child; other reports are transferred to another agency such as law enforcement.[28]

CountyCenterPhone
KentChildren's Advocacy Center of Kent County, 2855 Michigan St NE, Grand Rapids616-336-5160[29]
OttawaEd and Nancy Hanenburg Children's Advocacy Center, 12125 Union St., Holland616-393-6123[26]
AlleganSafe Harbor Children's Advocacy Center, 404 Sherman Street, Allegan(269) 673-3791[25]
BarrySafe Harbor Children's Advocacy Center, 1127 West State Street, Hastings(269) 948-3617[25]
Van BurenSafe Harbor Children's Advocacy Center, 57150 CR 681, Hartford(269) 512-2854[25]
MuskegonChild Abuse Council of Muskegon County, 1781 Peck Street, Muskegon(231) 728-6410[30]
KalamazooCommunity Healing Centers, Children's Advocacy Center of Kalamazoo (from the State's directory)269-343-1651[31]
Ionia and MontcalmIM SAFE Child Advocacy Center, 10260 S. Sheridan Rd., Fenwick616-225-7267[32]
NewaygoEvergreen Child Advocacy Center at The Center for Hope and Healing, 601 North Evergreen Drive, White Cloud231-787-2922[33]
BerrienChildren's Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan (from the State's directory)269-556-9640[34]

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, (800) 422-4453 by phone or by texting GO to the same number, is a place to talk through a concern about a child. Childhelp states that it is not a reporting line and is not connected to 911 or emergency services.[35] What to do first when a child tells you something is covered in When a child discloses sexual abuse, and who is legally obliged to report is in Mandated reporters of child abuse.

Help for men, LGBTQ+ survivors and survivors with disabilities

The hotlines above are not limited by gender or identity; the State says VOICES4 offers crisis counseling and referrals "regardless of your identity."[4] Three more pointers:

  • Men: 1in6 offers free, counselor-facilitated, text-based online support groups for men age 18 and older who have experienced sexual abuse or assault, and directs men who need immediate support to RAINN's national hotline. It describes the groups as peer support, not therapy or a crisis service.[36]
  • LGBTQ+ survivors: Equality Michigan says it provides education, victim services and outreach for LGBTQ+ people throughout the state; its phone number is 313.537.7000.[37]
  • Vulnerable adults: the State says abuse of a vulnerable adult can be reported to police or to Michigan Adult Protective Services at 855-444-3911, and that a friend or family member should remember the survivor is an adult who should be part of any decision to report as far as he or she is able.[38]

Intimate images online

For an explicit image taken when the person was under 18, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children runs Take It Down, a free service that works without the image leaving the person's device, and its CyberTipline takes reports of online child sexual exploitation; its 24-hour hotline is 1-800-843-5678.[39][40] For an image taken at 18 or older, Take It Down refers people to StopNCII.org.[41] The steps are in Removing intimate images from the internet.

State programs that sit alongside the local agencies

  • Track-Kit. A survivor can check the status of an evidence kit online at any time with the kit's barcode number; the State says the system is free and stores no personally identifiable information, and that a survivor without login details should contact the medical facility where the exam was done.[42]
  • Crime Victim Compensation. The program may help pay out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost earnings, counseling and other expenses; its victims-only toll-free helpline is 877-251-7373.[43][44] See Crime victim compensation and exam costs.
  • MI-VINE. Michigan's automated notification service tells registered victims and other concerned citizens when a prisoner is released; the toll-free line is (800) 770-7657.[45]
  • Address Confidentiality Program. The Department of Attorney General gives victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking or human trafficking a substitute address with free forwarding of first-class mail; if no trained advocate is available locally, the department's number is 313-456-0190.[46][47]

Your legal rights as a survivor are set out in Rights of sexual assault survivors in Michigan. The choices about telling the police, a school or an employer are in Your options for reporting, and protection orders are in Sexual assault PPOs.

If you are worried about a child, or about your own behavior

Stop It Now runs a free, confidential helpline, 1.888.PREVENT, with e-mail and chat, for anyone with questions or concerns about child sexual abuse.[48] It is not a 24-hour line: the hours its page lists are on weekdays only, Eastern time, and the page says they are subject to change.[48] The organization's page prints the number only in that lettered form, so that is how it appears here.[48]

The programs on this page serve people who have been harmed. Appointed counsel, lawyer referral and other resources for people who are accused or on the registry are listed separately in Resources for people accused and registrants.

Common questions

What number do I call after a sexual assault in Michigan?

For an emergency or urgent medical care, 911.[1][2] To talk with an advocate at any hour, Michigan's VOICES4 hotline is 1-855-864-2374 by call or text, and the National Sexual Assault Hotline is 800.656.HOPE (4673).[4][5][3] Both describe themselves as free and confidential, and the State says VOICES4 advocates will listen whether the assault was 4 hours ago or 40 years ago.[4]

Where can I get a sexual assault exam in Grand Rapids, Holland or Kalamazoo?

In Kent County, the YWCA West Central Michigan Nurse Examiner Program provides medical-forensic exams at the YWCA; its 24-hour helpline is (616) 454-9922.[17][8] For Ottawa and Allegan counties, Resilience schedules free exams through its 24-hour line, 1-800-848-5991.[9] YWCA Kalamazoo provides exams on site; its 24-hour crisis hotline is 269-385-3587.[10]

What if my county has no nurse examiner program?

The State explains that where a community has no nurse examiner program, every hospital emergency room in Michigan is required to provide the examination to a person who says they were sexually assaulted in the previous five days and wants one.[12][6] The VOICES4 hotline offers referrals to local service providers.[4]

Do I have to talk to the police to use these services?

No. A sexual assault victim cannot be required to take part in the criminal justice system or cooperate with law enforcement in order to receive a medical forensic examination.[16] The YWCA Nurse Examiner Program in Grand Rapids says its patients are not required to report to law enforcement, and Resilience says law enforcement involvement is optional.[8][9]

Is what I tell a hotline or a crisis counselor confidential?

RAINN says its hotline is anonymous and that it will not ask for a name or location; if a caller under 18 or a vulnerable adult chooses to share a name and location, RAINN is required by law to report.[15] In court, a confidential communication with a sexual assault counselor at a crisis center is not admissible without the victim's prior written consent, except as the child protection law provides.[49]

Who do I call about a child?

Suspected child abuse can be reported at any time to the State's intake line, 855-444-3911, or to police; in an emergency, 911.[27][1] Children's advocacy centers in West Michigan are listed on this page, but the Ottawa County center says its contact form is not for reporting abuse and sends reports to that intake line.[26]

Sources

  1. State of Michigan, VOICES4, "Reporting to Police" — State of Michigan
  2. Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV), Hotline page — mcedsv.org
  3. RAINN, National Sexual Assault Hotline page; RAINN press release, July 27, 2026 — rainn.org
  4. State of Michigan, VOICES4 — Sexual Assault page — State of Michigan
  5. MCEDSV, Hotline page — mcedsv.org
  6. MCL 333.21527(1) — Michigan Legislature
  7. MCL 18.355a(2) — Michigan Legislature
  8. YWCA West Central Michigan, "Nurse Examiner Program" — ywcawcmi.org
  9. Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence, "Sexual Assault" page — resiliencemi.org
  10. YWCA Kalamazoo, "Services for Survivors & Victims of Abuse" — ywcakalamazoo.org
  11. MDHHS Division of Victim Services, DVS Resource Directory — Kalamazoo County and Van Buren County pages — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  12. State of Michigan, VOICES4, "Where to go for an Examination" — State of Michigan
  13. RAINN press release, "RAINN Brings the National Sexual Assault Hotline to Signal", July 27, 2026 — rainn.org
  14. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 988lifeline.org
  15. RAINN, National Sexual Assault Hotline page (FAQ) — rainn.org
  16. MCL 18.355a(10) — Michigan Legislature
  17. YWCA West Central Michigan website — ywcawcmi.org
  18. Every Woman's Place website — everywomansplace.org
  19. Green Gables Haven website — greengableshaven.org
  20. RAVE, Contact Us page — raveim.org
  21. WISE website — wiseagainstviolence.org
  22. DASAS website, "Sexual Assault Services"; MDHHS DVS Resource Directory — Van Buren County — dasasmi.org
  23. Caring Connection, Empowerment Center page — caringconnectionmi.org
  24. State of Michigan, VOICES4, "Helping Child Survivors" — State of Michigan
  25. Safe Harbor Children's Advocacy Center, "Children's Advocacy Center" page — safeharborcac.org
  26. Children's Advocacy Center (Ottawa County), Contact page — cac-ottawa.org
  27. MDHHS, Mandated Reporters page; MDHHS, Abuse & Neglect page — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  28. State of Michigan, VOICES4, "Reporting to Child Protective Services" — State of Michigan
  29. Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County, Contact Us — cac-kent.org
  30. Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County, Contact Us — childabusecouncil.org
  31. MDHHS Division of Victim Services, DVS Resource Directory — Kalamazoo County — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  32. IM SAFE Child Advocacy Center, Contact Us — imsafecac.org
  33. The Center for Hope and Healing website — center4hh.org
  34. MDHHS Division of Victim Services, DVS Resource Directory — Berrien County — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  35. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline website — childhelphotline.org
  36. 1in6, "Find Support" page — 1in6.org
  37. MDHHS DVS Resource Directory — Kent County page; Equality Michigan website — equalitymi.org
  38. State of Michigan, VOICES4, "Sexual Assault and Disability" — State of Michigan
  39. NCMEC, Take It Down — takeitdown.ncmec.org
  40. NCMEC, CyberTipline page — missingkids.org
  41. StopNCII.org home page; NCMEC, Take It Down — stopncii.org
  42. MDHHS Division of Victim Services, "Track-Kit for Survivors" — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  43. MDHHS, "Crime Victim Compensation"; MCL 18.351(b), (k) — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  44. MDHHS, "Applying for Compensation" — Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
  45. Michigan Department of Corrections, "Victim Information Notification Everyday (MI-VINE)" — State of Michigan
  46. MCL 780.855(1), (3)(a)(i); Michigan Department of Attorney General, ACP Applicants page — Michigan Department of Attorney General
  47. Michigan Department of Attorney General, ACP Applicants page — Michigan Department of Attorney General
  48. Stop It Now, "Get Immediate Help" — stopitnow.org
  49. MCL 600.2157a(2) — Michigan Legislature

This page is general legal information about Michigan law, published by the office of Attorney Shawn Haff. It is not legal advice and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts — check the sources linked above and talk to a licensed Michigan attorney about your situation. If you are in danger, call 911. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673.

Facing charges? Don’t wait. Call now.

The sooner I’m involved in your case, the more options I have to protect you. The consultation is free, and I answer 24/7.

616-438-6719Call For A Free ConsultationFill Out My Online Form