Shared by Gina Lopez, CCASA Rural and Indigenous Communities Specialist
NAUHZCASA FV Statement: #MeToo DIY Kits
The Navajo, Apache, Ute, Hopi, Zuni Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence consist of multi-disciplinary, multi-tribal and multi-agency folks who work in the field of sexual and family violence. It has come to our attention the #MeToo kits which claim to to be an at-home rape evidence collection kit that can be purchased online to be conducted on oneself. There are so many unknowns in this, and similar products, we stand with the New Mexico Attorney General and the New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Program in their statement mentioning the following:
- First and foremost, survivors should know that members of the law enforcement,medical, and service provider communities are on hand 24/7 to ensure their safety in the event of sexual trauma;
- These kits are no substitute for the medical care or services that may be necessary following an incident of sexual violence, in addition to a SANE exam;
- It is extremely unlikely that a self-administered sexual assault kit will be admissible as evidence in a criminal prosecution of a sexual abuser.
SANE exams are not only to obtain evidence for prosecution of a case, exams are also to provide important care for the patient with trauma-informed approaches to questions and advocacy. NAUHZCASA FV recommends survivors and their families to access SANE exam and services from hospitals or agencies that are equipped to do so. Below are agencies in our tribal regions that provide these services. Please reach out for an examination and for any questions as well as support.
We believe you!
NAUHZCASA FV Resources
Northern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault – NACASA
https://northcountryhealthcare.org/community-programs/sexual-assault-support/
2920 N. 4th St.
Flagstaff, Arizona
24 hour dispatch – 928 773-7670
Northern Navajo Medical Center – SASNWNM Shiprock Service Unit
Shiprock, New Mexico
24 hour dispatch – 505 325-2805
Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico – Gallup
Gallup, New Mexico
505 722-1000
505 399-5940
Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico – Farmington
https://www.sasnwnm.org/
Farmington, N.M. 87401 | 505 325-2805 | 1 866-908-4700
Chinle Comprehensive Healthcare Facilty
https://www.ihs.gov/navajo/healthcarefacilities/chinle/
Chinle, AZ 86503 | 928 674-7420
Sage Memorial Hospital
http://sagememorial.com/
Chinle, AZ 86503 | 928 755-4500
Ama Doo Alchini Bighan Inc. (ADABI) – Women’s Crisis Program
https://www.facebook.com/ADABI.Chinle/
24 Hour Advocate Volunteer Service
PO Box 1279
Chinle, AZ 86503 | (928) 674-8314 | 1-877-698-0899 toll free
Ft. Defiance – Tse’hootsooi’ Medical Center – Family Advocacy Center
https://www.fdihb.org/
Ft. Defiance, AZ | 928 729-8000
Utah Navajo Health System, Inc.
1478 East Hwy 162
Montezuma Creek, UT
Victim Advocacy Hotline – 24/7 | (435) 678-0249
Four Corners Child Advocacy Center (NEST) – Cortez, CO
Cortez, Colorado – (970) 565-8155
Mercy Regional Medical Center
https://www.centura.org/locations/mercy-regional-medical-center
1010 Three Springs Blvd., Durango, CO 81301
Emergency Department | (970) 247-4311
Renew, Inc. – Shelter/Advocacy/Counseling/Support groups
Cortez, CO | Hotline: (970) 565-2100 | WINGS Safehouse: (970) 565-9116
Southwest Health System – Southwest Memorial Hospital
https://www.swhealth.org/southwestmemorialhospital/
1311 N Mildred Rd
Cortez, CO 81321
Emergency Department | (970) 565-6666
Strengthening Families Program – Shiprock Shelter
www.strengtheningfamiliesprogram@navajo-nsn.gov
- Box 4590, Window Rock, AZ 86515
928-871-7692
24/7 CRISIS LINE | (505) 368-1157
Sexual Assault Services Organization – Advocacy/Education
Durango, CO
24-hour Hotline | (970) 247-5400 Free and Confidential