NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Welcome to the Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s (MSCASA) website. We have worked hard to develop and gather educational materials, training sessions, information requests and other resources on sexual assault that will help practitioners, treatment providers, survivors, and family members looking for more information on this important issue.
Our staff is dedicated to increasing public awareness on sexual assault issues as well as educating and supporting communities statewide to start a conversation on these issues and stop the violence. We want to equip individuals with the information to make better decisions. That information is power that we can use as a voice to break the silence and stop the violence.
MSCASA represents the nine rape crisis centers in the state of Mississippi. We are dedicated to supporting our local programs and educating service providers to become better advocates for victims of rape and sexual assault. These programs are located in Biloxi, Columbus, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Meridian, Natchez, Oxford and Tupelo. We strive to bring all programs to the same standard of service in their local communities and the state.
If there is information you cannot find on our website, you can contact us directly at (888) 987-9011. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, you should call the Rape Crisis Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Levette Kelly Johnson,
Executive Director
MISSION & VISION
The mission of the Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MSCASA) is to
- Provide training and technical assistance to sexual assault programs, law enforcement agencies, medical professionals, mental health professionals, colleges and universities, youth organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based communities, corrections, and the general public.
- Build strong community partnerships to strengthen services for victims of sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, and promote prevention strategies in the state, and
- Serve and address under-served at-risk populations: people with disabilities, women of color, adolescents, college-age women, confinement, and victims in rural communities and work to improve systems.
The vision of MSCASA is to enhance services to victims of violence, educate the community, and provide resources, referrals, and outreach to those affected by sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Join MSCASA as we Help the Hurting to Heal and Overcome.
Core Values
HISTORY
The Mississippi Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) was created in 1988. When the rape crisis centers in Mississippi, several of which have been in existence since the 1970’s, banded together to form MCASA. They felt that a statewide effort dedicated solely to expanding education, training, and public awareness was needed to address sexual violence in our society.
Rape crisis center programs are located in Biloxi, Columbus, Greenville, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Meridian, Natchez, Oxford and Tupelo. All agencies provide services without discrimination regarding race, ethnicity, disability, or marital status. Each program is responsible for large geographical areas, including both rural and urban locales, and depends heavily on local support and volunteers.
The coalition is determined to serve and address underserved, at-risk populations: people with disabilities, women of color, adolescent, college-age women, and victims in rural communities. MCASA provides education, training, public awareness, information referrals and requests, resource library, and a speakers’ bureau for the state, community and member programs.