24 Hr Crisis Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do we serve?

Survivors of sexual assault and their families, who are residents of Buncombe County, ages 13 and up. However, anyone under age 18 will need parental or guardian permission to receive counseling services.

Individuals under the age of 13 seeking services should contact Mountain Child Advocacy Center at 828-213-9824.

We provide services to all survivors of sexual violence regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status of citizenship, or income level.

Do you serve men?

Anyone can experience sexual violence, regardless of gender, and everyone deserves comprehensive support. We encourage survivors of every gender to contact us for support if they experience any of these types of violence.

Do you provide services in Spanish?

Yes, we have bilingual Spanish-speaking staff at Our VOICE. We provide counseling, court and law enforcement advocacy, and crisis intervention in Spanish. We are also available to do outreach to Spanish-speaking populations.

Do you provide services to survivors of domestic violence?

Do you provide services to survivors of domestic violence?
 While we understand that domestic and sexual violence can co-occur, our services focus on issues of sexual violence. If you are experiencing domestic violence, please contact our partner organization, Helpmate, who serves survivors of domestic violence at their 24/7 hotline at (828) 254-0516.

How much do our services cost?

We provide client services, such as law enforcement and court advocacy, at no cost to the client. We do ask for a one-time $20 administrative fee for counseling if you are able to provide it. No one will be turned away due to their inability to pay.

Can Our VOICE prescribe medication or provide medical services?

Our VOICE is available to speak with you about potential medical treatment options, but we do not provide medical care ourselves. Our VOICE counselors do not prescribe medications. If you are seeking psychiatric care, please contact Smokey Mountain Center at 1-800-849-6127.

Can Our VOICE provide me with a lawyer?

Our VOICE can connect you with legal services in the area, but we do not have staff attorneys. We can provide court advocacy and accompaniment as support, but in accordance with North Carolina law, we are not able to provide legal advice or speak on your behalf in court.

Do you accept donations?

Yes. You can make a financial donation via our website here.
 Some items that we have an ongoing need for include gift cards (Visa, Walmart, Ingles), cell phone minutes, non-perishable snacks, new unopened packages of men’s and women’s underwear and socks, new sports bras, individual packages of tissues.

Do you have internship opportunities?

We have a limited number of internship opportunities available. When these arise, they will be posted on our website and on our Facebook.

What is Human Trafficking?

The definition of human trafficking differs for adults and minors.

Human trafficking of adults is when traffickers use force, fraud, or coercion to lure and then force the individual to do labor or commercial sex acts.

Human trafficking of minors refers to similar parameters, however, force, fraud, and coercion do not need to be present. Any commercial sex act involving minors is automatically sex trafficking.

It’s important to note that transportation is not required in the definition of human trafficking. Common examples of human trafficking in the media do not show the full picture of what human trafficking can look like. For more information click here for resources from the North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

Does Human Trafficking happen in North Carolina?

Yes, according to the North Carolina Department of Administration North Carolina is ranked 9th in the nation for reported human trafficking cases. Asheville is a tourist area with agriculture and major highways connecting to other nearby states which fosters an environment where human trafficking could potentially occur. Go to the NC DOA’s website for more North Carolina specific facts on human trafficking.

What is the difference between sexual violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment?

Sexual violence is an umbrella term under which sexual assault and sexual harassment can fall under. Sexual violence includes all causes of sexual assault and the acts of sexual assault itself. Social attitudes, values, and beliefs that do not respect individuals as equals, (e.g., victim-blaming; misogyny/sexism, and heterosexism; racism, homophobia, and transphobia; biased legal, educational, and social institutions; etc.) contribute to an environment that allows for sexual assault/abuse/harassment to occur at an epidemic level. Sexual violence is considered a social, legal, and public health concern because of the long-term impact it has on those affected by it. Check out more info on The Continuum of Sexual Violence.

Sexual assault includes any sexual contact or behavior enacted upon a person without their consent. *Unwanted, tricked or coerced sexual activity that may or may not include physical contact involves — but is not limited to the following: rape; incest; molestation; unwanted touching, kissing or fondling; cat calls; stalking; threats directed at a person’s sexuality; flashing; forcing a person to watch porn; explicit conversation or comments; etc. Anyone can commit sexual assault against any other person, regardless of their relationship. *According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, other verbal/physical behavior that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Sexual harassment frequently occurs in the workplace and in schools.

What is consent?

Consent is an agreement or permission for an act to happen. Consent must be freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific. It’s important to remember that consent is important for all kinds of relationships and interactions, not just sexual ones.

Click here for more information on consent.

What can I do to stop sexual violence and human trafficking in my community?

Prevention education is a great way to raise awareness around sexual violence and human trafficking. Our VOICE provides multiple different programs, which can be found here.

In addition, building relationships with folks in your own community makes it easier to reach out for help if the need arises. Get to know your neighbors, familiarize yourself and others with red flags, and identify local resources for human trafficking survivors.

How can I support a survivor of sexual violence or human trafficking?

A good first step for supporting sexual violence or human trafficking survivors is to believe them. Thank them for trusting you with their story and validating that the survivor did nothing to deserve the abuse. A good next step could be looking into different support options for the survivors. If it feels comfortable for both of you, you could offer to accompany them if they do choose to seek support services.

I haven’t decided if I want to file a report yet. Can I talk to someone to better understand my options?

Yes, you are always welcome to call our crisis line to speak with an advocate regarding your options. In addition, we have a Legal Advocate who is particularly knowledgeable about the intricacies of the court system.

It is important to note that we are mandated reporters. This means that if someone tells us about abuse that is happening or has happened to someone under the age of 18, elderly, or disabled, then we might need to report that. We would never make a report without telling you first, and without walking you through what that process would look like.

If you call the crisis line, you do not have to give any personal information, including name or age, unless you feel comfortable doing so.

What is a blind report?

A blind report is an anonymous report you can make to law enforcement. You can provide as many details about the situation as you want. It is a way that law enforcement can potentially connect information to other causes without having to name yourself. While this is an option offered in Asheville with Asheville Police Department, this is area specific. If you are from a different are check with your local law enforcement on their potential policies with blind reporting.

More Questions?

If you are interested in any services or have further questions, please call Our Voice at (828) 252-0562.
If you need immediate assistance, please call our 24-hour crisis line at (828) 255-7576.