Our Philosophy and Approach

At SARSSM, we believe that it is important to shift the responsibility of sexual violence prevention away from the expectation that individuals should keep themselves safe from harm. Instead, that responsibility belongs solely on the community and individuals who cause harm.  

When we shift the responsibility of ending sexual violence to the entire community, we foster safer communities where everyone plays an important role in violence prevention.

Contact Our Prevention & Education Program

Please email us to learn more about or programs and curricula, to join our prevention mailing list, or to request a training.
Our Prevention and Education Program follows evidence-driven approaches. We follow the social-ecological model which considers all of the individual and societal factors that contribute to sexual violence impacting our communities. With this model, we empower communities to stop sexual violence and child sexual abuse before it occurs. ​

Prevention & Education Program Goals

Support and empower local communities to engage in conversations and build awareness around child sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention.

​Provide youth with the knowledge and tools to keep themselves and their peers safe through:
  • Equipping youth with the skills to engage in healthy, respectful, and consensual relationships while centering the importance of healthy boundaries and communication.
  • Helping youth recognize power dynamics and grooming behaviors that can lead to sexual violence before it happens.
  • Teaching youth how to safely intervene or get help if needed.

Educate and inform parents, educators, and other youth serving adults on how to:
  • Create safe and trauma-informed youth spaces where children who have experienced sexual trauma feel safe and engaged.
  • Effectively and confidently integrate ongoing sexual violence prevention and education, with the support of SARSSM’s tools, resources, and curricula.
  • Recognize early warning signs of child sexual abuse, and appropriately respond to disclosures, intervene and report.
Sexual Assault Helpline:
For support, please call our free, private, 24-hour helpline at 1-800-871-7741.
In accordance with federal regulations, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine does not discriminate in the access to our provision of its services.

SARSSM provides free services in York and Cumberland Counties.
​Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine is funded in part by Maine's Department of Health and Human Services, the United Way of York County, and generous public and private donations.