Central MN Sexual Assault Center

Central MN Sexual Assault Center (CMSAC) is a 24-hour crisis intervention agency that provides direct services to all people affected by any form of sexual violence. The Center’s purpose is to offer non-judgmental, confidential, free, trauma-informed direct services to victims of sexual violence, their partners, families, coworkers and friends.  

CMSAC provides:

• Free and confidential services to people and organizations within Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, and Wright Counties of Central Minnesota.
• Collaboration with community groups and professional agencies to continue to work toward an increased social awareness of sexual assault through victim centered services that are sensitive to the needs of everyone.
• Information on crime victim’s rights and options with the focus on healing and recovery.
• Education and factual information that challenges attitudes and beliefs that make up a rape culture in order to ultimately eradicate sexual violence.

Services include:

• • 24-hour crisis phone line
  • One-to-one support counseling
  • Referrals to supportive services
  • Support at the hospital, at court, or with reporting to law enforcement
  • Protective Orders 
  • Safety planning
  • “Safe at Home” program
  • Psycho-educational and support groups
  • Human trafficking services
  • Support for those involved in the sex industry
  • Trainings for professionals
  • Community presentations

The Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center (CMSAC) is a non-residential, 24-hour crisis intervention center for victim/survivors of all forms of sexual violence. CMSAC's purpose is to provide free, confidential, trauma-informed, non-judgmental direct services to victims of sexual assault and their families and friends.  We help survivors advocate for their rights and self-defined needs and work to improve the responses of agencies that victim/survivors often encounter.  CMSAC also provides professional and community education on sexual violence and strives to change the harmful social attitudes that perpetuate this crime.  

Since May 1, 1980, we have been funded by a grant from the State Department of Corrections-Minnesota Program for Victims of Sexual Assault. CMSAC became incorporated on October 1, 1984, and has since operated as an independent agency with a Board of Directors as its governing body. Currently, we receive state funding from the Office of Justice Programs. As a nonprofit agency, CMSAC also receives funding from grant sources, and independent fundraising functions.

CMSAC's principles are: 1. That a female or male has the right to accept or refuse sexual contact at his or her discretion; and no one deserves to be sexually assaulted. 2. That each sex has equal ability to control their sexual behavior and that they are ultimately responsible for their own actions. 3. That sexual assault is a violent crime and is often premeditated. 4. That each victim/survivor of sexual assault is a separate individual having distinct and separate needs and should be treated accordingly. 5. That society's institutions have the responsibility to treat victims of sexual abuse adequately and with respect and dignity. 6. That each victim/survivor of sexual assault is entitled to confidential assistance and non-judgmental, non-blaming support. 7. That society's institutions have the responsibility to respond to problems within society, including protection and education of the community and treatment of the offender.