TESSA – STAND STRONG WITH SURVIVORS TELETHON

OVER THE PAST YEAR, MONTHLY CALL VOLUME TO THE TESSA SAFE LINE HAS INCREASED FROM 800 TO 1200

WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual assault is any type of sexual activity that you do not consent to, that is forced upon you, or that you are coerced into. Sexual assault is a form of sexual violence that includes: inappropriate touching, harassment, incest, rape and sex trafficking.

TESSA fosters a community free of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking by raising awareness in the community, working with key partners, and educating children and teens. Simultaneously, TESSA empowers survivors to forge new paths to wellbeing and self-sufficiency through providing evidence-based practices and services

TESSA SERVED 329 YOUTHS (UNDER 18) IN 2020

WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?
Human Trafficking is defined by the federal government as the use of fraud, force or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. Labor and sex trafficking are two types of human trafficking. Labor trafficking is using a person for involuntary labor or services by force, fraud or coercion through recruitment, harboring and/or transportation. Sex trafficking is using a person for commercial sex acts by force, fraud or coercion. Force, fraud or coercion do not have to be present if the person is under the ag of 18.

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive and controlling behavior that one partner uses against another in an intimate relationship. It can be physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and financial, including isolation, intimidation, privilege, blaming/gas lighting, use of children, coercion and threats.

• TESSA provides immediate safety at their confidential Safehouse for victims and their children escaping abuse.
• The empower survivors through programs and support such as Advocacy and Counseling.
• And, create a safer future through Education and Outreach to schools, businesses and other organizations.

TESSA SERVED 227 SURVIVORS IN THEIR SAFEHOUSE IN 2020 FOR A TOTAL OF 10,031 SHELTER NIGHTS

WHAT IS STALKING?
Stalking is a pattern of continuous contact that is unwanted and makes you feel unsafe. It is a deliberate and ongoing pattern to gain control and/or make you afraid. That behavior may escalate over time and become more extreme. A stalker chooses to exert these actions to scare, harass, or intimidate you.