Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Voices of Hope Do?
Voices of Hope provides comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and related forms of abuse such as stalking, harassment, and incest.
Is There A Fee For Your Services?
NO. Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and related forms of abuse, along with their family members, receive free services.
Do You Help Male Victims?
Yes, we do help male victims of sexual assault, incest or domestic violence on a one-to-one basis, through our walk-in or counseling. At this time, we have no support groups for males.
What Is Your Organization's Privacy Policy?
Confidentiality is a priority for our agency and critical to client safety. Anyone using our services can be assured of their personal privacy.
Our organization takes steps to protect and ensure the safety of our clients as well as our supporters. If you are a volunteer or donor to our agency, we want you to know that we do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations, public, private or nonprofit.
This policy has no exceptions.
Am I A Victim?
- Is it domestic violence if I am not being hit?
Yes it is. Domestic violence includes the continuum from verbal and emotional abuse to physical and sexual abuse. - Is it rape if I voluntarily drink too much or take drugs?
Consent can only be given by someone who is acting freely and voluntarily. They must also have knowledge of the nature of the act involved. Being unconscious or drunk means you cannot give consent. - If I asked my attacker to wear a condom, is that considered consent?
One must look at the situation as a whole. It may seem inevitable that the rape will occur–asking for protection from disease and pregnancy is not consenting. - Is it rape if I did not fight him off or try to escape?
Whatever you did –you survived. Therefore, you did what you needed to do in order to stay alive. You only need to say “no” OR not say “yes” for consent to be withheld. - Can a minor lawfully consent to having sex with another minor?
Unless they are married, a minor cannot legally give consent. Even so, prosecution in this area is rare unless there is a large age difference or if one of the participants is very young. Prosecution and penalties will vary from state to state. - Can a minor consent to having sex with an adult
No! A minor cannot legally give consent, no matter how willing s/he may be. This is something that can be prosecuted. In Nebraska, sex between someone 19 or over with someone under 16 can result in a charge of first degree sexual assault.
