LANSING, Mich. -- Emergency responders in Michigan will now receive training and be provided the opportunity to treat sexually transmitted infections, in protection for sexual assault survivors.

New protocols were recently voted and adopted to require more specific treatment, protocols and training to better support patients of sexual assault.

In the last decade, an increase of sexual assault survivors in need of medical care is shown in an October 2022 study, for which visits for sexual assault at the emergency department in 2019 were 15 times higher than in 2006.

1 in 16 male and 1 in 5 female college students are victims of sexual assault with about 85% of sexual assault committed by someone the victim knows.

Sexual assault is when a perpetrator chooses to harm someone, for which perpetrators target adults, teens and children of all ages regardless of gender, identity or sexual orientation.

Posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use, depression, chronic conditions and suicidal ideation are all great risks for survivors of sexual assault.  

855-VOICES4 (call 855-864-2374 or text 866-238-1454) has trained advocates ready to offer support 24/7 and listen without judgement.

An executive directive for all state departments was signed by Governor Whitmer in May 2022, to increase protections for reproductive health care.