What They Are
The NWA Center for Sexual Assault is a nonprofit agency in Northwest Arkansas dedicated to supporting adult survivors of sexual violence or harassment, plus their loved ones. Their mission is to offer safety, healing, hope, and also to work toward prevention and awareness.
Where They Operate
They serve the Northwest Arkansas region, including Benton, Washington, and Madison counties.
Services Offered
All their core services are free, confidential, and available in English, Spanish, and Marshallese.
Here are the main services:
- 24-Hour Crisis Hotline — immediate emotional support, crisis intervention, referrals.
- Sexual Assault Exams & Kit Collection — for survivors who want evidence gathered, carried out in a non-hospital setting, within a window (96 hours), with trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners. Also includes preventative treatments for STIs.
- Individual Advocacy — guiding survivors (and their loved ones) through medical, legal, and other systems if they choose to report. Referrals and resources as needed.
- Therapeutic Counseling — for individuals, couples, families, and group therapy, often focusing on long-term healing. Doesn’t matter when the assault occurred.
- Support Groups — for survivors; also for secondary survivors (i.e. people close to them); plus educational or support groups can be arranged via agencies/institutions. Weekly in-house groups (e.g. Wednesday evenings).
Outreach & Specialty Projects
In addition to clinical and crisis support, they do a lot of outreach and special/community projects, such as:
- “Estamos Contigo” — dedicated to Spanish-speaking survivors; bilingual advocacy and awareness. nwasexualassault.org/estamos-contigo/
- Let’s Talk NWA — focused on the Black/African heritage community in NWA, creating spaces and platforms for self-expression about domestic violence & sexual assault. nwasexualassault.org/lets-talk-nwa/
- Other projects include art workshops for survivors, prevention and education in schools & community venues, human trafficking referrals, etc. nwasexualassault.org/our-services/
Who They Serve
- Adult survivors of sexual assault or harassment, and their loved ones.
- People who may have experienced sexual violence at any point, regardless of when it happened. Healing is not bound by time.
- Spanish and Marshallese speaking populations, so people whose primary or preferred language is not English are explicitly served.
- The local NW Arkansas community: Benton, Washington, Madison counties.
- Also special focus to communities often underserved: Black / African heritage communities through Let’s Talk NWA; Spanish-speaking via Estamos Contigo.
Upcoming Event: UNBROKEN
Here are the details and what to expect at UNBROKEN: Survivor Art Gallery & Awards Celebration.
When & Where
- Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
- Time: Doors open at 6:00 PM, program begins at 6:30 PM and runs until about 8:30 PM.
- Venue: The Great Hall at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR.
- Cost / Admission: Free, public event; RSVP required.
What to Expect
- Art Gallery of Survivor Works: Survivors have been creating artworks through healing art workshops (in collaboration with local artists, including MY-T-BY Design) — these pieces will be shown.
- Awards Ceremony: Recognition of community leaders who have made impactful contributions toward justice, safety, and support for survivors. E.g. the Roger Collins Beacon of Hope Award goes to Judge Matt Durrett for 2025.
- Live Performances: Dance or other artistic performances will be part of the evening, celebrating resilience. Happening Next
- Speakers / Emcees: Local folks will help host/emcee; names include Clint Schaff & Ashlyn Brothers in past announcements.
- Atmosphere: Celebration, remembrance, community gathering; a chance for survivors, supporters, advocates, and the wider public to come together. The art part is meant to be healing and storytelling.
Awards & Honorees
The event will honor people/groups in several categories, including:
- Roger Collins Beacon of Hope Award — 2025 honoree: Judge Matt Durrett, who has worked in prosecuting sexual assault and has had roles in improving regional systems and collaboration among agencies for survivors.
- Other awards: Beacon of Light, Silence Breaker, etc.—these typically recognize voices, leaders, and survivors who have broken silence or made meaningful change.
Why It Matters
- Healing through art and community: Art can be a powerful medium for expressing pain, survival, identity, hope. UNBROKEN offers an opportunity for survivors to share without necessarily using words.
- Visibility and awareness: Events like this help make sexual violence less hidden. They educate the public, break down stigma, and show survivors they are not alone.
- Recognition of change-makers: Honoring leaders helps reinforce the idea that community action, legal/advocacy efforts, and systemic change matter.
- Inclusivity: By offering services in multiple languages, focusing on historically underserved populations, and hosting public events, the Center is aiming to reach beyond the people who typically access services.
