The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine announced on April 8 that it is observing Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April, joining the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, communities across the country, and sovereign Tribal nations in raising awareness about sexual assault.
This observance aims to support victims and highlight efforts to address sexual violence. The office said that for Fiscal Year 2025, the Office on Violence Against Women awarded $9,635,137 to several organizations in Maine working with victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.
United States Attorney for the District of Maine Andrew B. Benson said, “Sexual assault has impacts that can reverberate through an entire community. These crimes leave lasting scars, and, as federal prosecutors, we have a responsibility to the citizens of Maine to pursue justice.”
The office emphasized its commitment to prosecuting those who violate federal law related to sexual assault and collaborating with local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. According to Benson, partners in the district play a key role in ensuring victims have access to resources for safety and healing.
The statement encouraged residents throughout Maine to learn more about sexual assault issues and support individuals affected by these crimes by recognizing signs of abuse and connecting them with available resources such as mecasa.org or national hotlines like 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) for general assistance or 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) specifically serving Native communities.
The Department of Justice funds victim services through grants administered by both OVW and its Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). These programs offer a range of support services including hotlines and online resource pages listing state coalitions that can help direct survivors toward local assistance.
