SURVIVOR RESOURCES
Search by country or region to find your local domestic and sexual violence support services.
Sexual Assault
If you’ve experienced sexual assault, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that what happened was not your fault. Your feelings are valid, and there are resources available to support you.
Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. It can include:
– Rape or attempted rape
– Unwanted sexual touching
– Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts
– Sexual coercion
Survivors may experience a range of reactions, including:
– Shock and disbelief
– Fear and anxiety
– Guilt, shame, and self-blame
– Anger
– Depression and isolation
– PTSD symptoms
– Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
Remember, there’s no “right” way to react to sexual assault. Your feelings are valid.
1. Ensure your safety. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911.
2. Seek medical attention, even if you have no visible injuries.
3. Consider a sexual assault forensic exam (rape kit) if you’re thinking about reporting.
4. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or crisis hotline for support.
Your Rights as a Survivor
– You have the right to be believed.
– You have the right to decide whether to report the assault.
– You have the right to medical care and mental health support.
– You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect by law enforcement, medical professionals, and the justice system.
– You have the right to be believed.
– You have the right to decide whether to report the assault.
– You have the right to medical care and mental health support.
– You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect by law enforcement, medical professionals, and the justice system.
1. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network):
– National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (24/7)
– Online chat: [https://hotline.rainn.org/
2. National Organization for Victim Assistance:
– Call 1-800-879-6682
3. National Sexual Violence Resource Center:
4. Love Is Respect (for teens and young adults):
– Call 1-866-331-9474
– Text LOVEIS to 22522
5. 1in6 (for male survivors):
6. Pandora’s Project (online support and resources):
7. FORGE (for transgender and gender non-conforming survivors):
– Healing is a process, and it looks different for everyone.
– Consider seeking professional help through therapy or counseling.
– Join support groups to connect with other survivors.
– Practice self-care and be patient with yourself.
– Remember that the assault does not define you.
Remember
– You are not alone. Many LGBTQ+ individuals have survived abuse and found safety and healing.
– Your identity is valid and deserving of respect in all support services.
– Abuse is about power and control, not about your LGBTQ+ identity.
– There are LGBTQ+-affirming professionals and services available to support you.
– Healing is possible, and you deserve to feel safe and respected in your relationships.
If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. You have the right to emergency services regardless of your LGBTQ+ identity.
Domestic Violence
Relationship violence, including dating violence and domestic violence, is a serious threat many face daily. We understand that the personal nature of these relationships can lead to this type of violence being minimized or misunderstood. But your safety and well-being are crucial. We’re here to support you, provide resources, and offer a safe space for help. Your experiences are valid, and you are not alone. Together, we can work towards a future free from relationship violence, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Relationship abuse is alarmingly prevalent. More than 1 in 3 women and more than 1 in 4 men in the United States have experienced abuse by an intimate partner. Young women ages 16-24 are at 3 times greater risk.
Relationship abuse is a pattern of behavior used by one partner to control another in an intimate relationship. It can take many forms:
- Physical: Hitting, pushing, or physical restraint
- Sexual: Coercion or non-consensual sexual acts
- Emotional: Manipulation, humiliation, or constant criticism
- Economic: Controlling finances or preventing employment
Psychological: Threats, intimidation, or isolation
Abuse can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or socioeconomic status. It occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788
- Love Is Respect (for teens and young adults): 1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
- The StrongHearts Native Helpline: 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483)
STALKING
Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention, harassment, or contact that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. While media often portrays stalking differently, over 85% of victims are stalked by someone they know. 66% of female victims and 44% of male victims are stalked by a former intimate partner.
Stalking can occur independently or alongside other forms of interpersonal violence.
Unwanted communications (calls, texts, social media, mail, email)
– Sending unwanted gifts or items
– Following or surveilling the victim
– Making threats to harm the victim, their loved ones, or pets
– Damaging or threatening to damage property
– Spreading rumors online or in person
– Harassment in person or online
– Obtaining personal information through various means
While some behaviors may seem harmless individually, repeated occurrences or combinations can indicate stalking.
- Cyberstalking is the persistent use of internet technologies to harass or threaten. It includes direct communication, indirect communication, and online misrepresentation. LGBTQ individuals are twice as likely to experience cyberstalking as their non-LGBTQ counterparts.Cyberstalking is a serious threat and should not be underestimated.
1. Call 911 if you feel in immediate danger
2. Save all evidence (emails, gifts, texts, letters)
3. Document incidents with dates, times, and witnesses
4. Inform trusted friends or family
5. If followed, do not go home
6. Screen calls from unfamiliar numbers
7. Block unwanted contacts
Remember, your safety is paramount. Reach out for help – you’re not alone in this.
– National Stalking Hotline: 1-855-484-2846
– Victim Connect Resource Center: 1-855-484-2846
– National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
FOR PARENTS
Learning that your child has experienced assault or abuse can be overwhelming. As a parent, you play a crucial role in your child’s healing process. Here’s how you can provide support
– Listen without judgment and believe your child’s story.
– Reinforce that it’s not their fault and they’re not alone.
– Ensure your child feels safe in their environment.
– Help them access medical care if needed.
– Encourage counseling with a trauma-informed therapist.
– Consider family therapy to navigate this challenging time together.
– Allow your child to make decisions about reporting and next steps.
– Offer support without pressuring them to take actions they’re not ready for.
– Allow your child to make decisions about reporting and next steps.
– Offer support without pressuring them to take actions they’re not ready for.
– Educate yourself on the effects of trauma and common reactions.
– Be patient with your child’s healing process – it’s different for everyone.
– Maintain routines to provide a sense of normalcy.
– Foster open communication, but respect their need for space when necessary.
– Help with school accommodations or work-related issues if needed.
– Assist in navigating legal processes if your child chooses to report.
Remember, healing is a journey. Your consistent support, patience, and understanding are invaluable to your child’s recovery.
– National Parent Helpline: 1-855-427-2736
– RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
You’re not alone in this process. Reach out for support whenever you need it.
LGBTQ
LGBTQ+ individuals face unique challenges when it comes to sexual assault, domestic violence, and abuse. Your experiences are valid, and you deserve support that respects your identity and understands your specific needs.
1. Discrimination: Encountering prejudice when seeking help or reporting abuse.
2. Lack of Inclusive Services: Limited access to LGBTQ+-affirming support services.
3. Isolation: Fear of being outed or rejected by family or community if abuse is disclosed.
4. Misconceptions: Stereotypes about LGBTQ+ relationships that minimize or dismiss abuse.
5. Identity-based Abuse: Threats of outing or using gender identity/sexual orientation against the survivor.
6. Intersectionality: Compounded challenges for LGBTQ+ individuals who are also part of other marginalized groups.
Abuse can take many forms, including:
– Physical and sexual violence
– Emotional and psychological abuse
– Economic control
– Using children as leverage (if applicable)
– HIV-related abuse (threatening to disclose status, interfering with medication)
– Transphobic/homophobic abuse (using slurs, mocking identity)
– You have the right to be safe, respected, and affirmed in your identity.
– Abuse is not a normal part of LGBTQ+ relationships.
– Your gender identity and sexual orientation are valid and not the cause of abuse.
– You deserve support that is inclusive and respectful of your LGBTQ+ identity.
1. LGBTQ+-specific Helplines:
– The Trevor Project (for youth): 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678
– LGBT National Help Center: 1-888-843-4564
2. Inclusive Domestic Violence Support:
– The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
– Love is Respect: 1-866-331-9474 or text LOVEIS to 22522
3. LGBTQ+ Legal Support:
– Lambda Legal: [https://www.lambdalegal.org/]
– National Center for Lesbian Rights: [https://www.nclrights.org/]
4. Trans-specific Resources:
– Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860
5. Online Communities:
– PFLAG: [https://pflag.org/]
– The Network/La Red: [https://www.tnlr.org/]
6. Healthcare Resources:
– GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality: [http://www.glma.org/]
Remember
– You are not alone. Many LGBTQ+ individuals have survived abuse and found safety and healing.
– Your identity is valid and deserving of respect in all support services.
– Abuse is about power and control, not about your LGBTQ+ identity.
– There are LGBTQ+-affirming professionals and services available to support you.
– Healing is possible, and you deserve to feel safe and respected in your relationships.
If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. You have the right to emergency services regardless of your LGBTQ+ identity.
INTERNATIONAL SURVIVORS:
Sexual assault and domestic violence are global issues that affect individuals across all countries and cultures. As an international survivor, you may face unique challenges, but you are not alone.
1. Language Barriers: Difficulty communicating your experiences or understanding local resources.
2. Cultural Differences: Varying perceptions of assault and abuse across cultures can impact reporting and seeking help.
3. Legal Complexities: Navigating unfamiliar legal systems and immigration issues.
4. Isolation: Being far from familiar support networks and family.
5. Limited Access to Resources: Difficulty finding culturally appropriate or language-specific services.
6. Visa Concerns: Fear of jeopardizing visa status by reporting abuse or seeking help.
– Increased feelings of isolation and vulnerability
– Heightened stress due to navigating unfamiliar systems
– Potential exacerbation of cultural shock or adjustment issues
– Complications with academic or professional commitments
– Challenges in forming new support networks
1. International Helplines:
– Global Hotline Directory: [https://www.hotpeachpages.
– International Child Helpline: +41 22 798 8484
2. Online Support:
– 7 Cups: Offers online counseling in multiple languages [https://www.7cups.com/]
– RAINN’s Online Hotline: Provides support in English and Spanish [https://hotline.rainn.org/
3. Embassy Support:
Contact your country’s embassy or consulate for assistance and local resources.
4. International Organizations:
– UN Women: [https://www.unwomen.org/en]
– World Health Organization: [https://www.who.int/health-
5. University Resources:
If you’re a student, check with your institution’s international student office for specific support services.
6. Legal Aid:
– International Refugee Assistance Project: [https://refugeerights.org/]
– Asylum Access: [https://asylumaccess.org/]
7. Cultural Support Groups:
Look for local cultural associations or expat groups that may offer support or resources.
Remember
Your experiences are valid, regardless of cultural differences.
– You have rights, including the right to safety and support, no matter where you are.
– Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
– Healing is possible, and there are people and organizations ready to support you.
If you’re in immediate danger, contact local emergency services. Your safety is paramount.
UNDOCUMENTED SURVIVORS
Being an undocumented survivor of sexual assault or domestic violence presents unique challenges. It’s important to know that you have rights and resources available to you, regardless of your immigration status.
1. Fear of Deportation: Concerns about contacting authorities or seeking help due to immigration status.
2. Limited Access to Services: Difficulty accessing healthcare, legal aid, or social services.
3. Economic Vulnerability: Financial dependence on abusers and limited employment options.
4. Language Barriers: Obstacles in communicating with service providers or law enforcement.
5. Isolation: Limited social networks and fear of reaching out to the community.
6. Legal Complexities: Navigating both criminal and immigration law systems.
– You have the right to safety and protection from abuse, regardless of your immigration status.
– You have the right to access emergency medical care.
– You have the right to obtain a protective order against your abuser.
– You may be eligible for special immigration remedies for crime victims.
1. Legal Aid:
– Immigrant Legal Resource Center: [https://www.ilrc.org/]
– National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project: [https://niwaplibrary.wcl.
2. Confidential Helplines:
– National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
– National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
3. Immigration Relief Options:
– U Visa (for victims of certain crimes)
– T Visa (for trafficking victims)
– VAWA Self-Petition (for abused spouses/children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents)
4. Healthcare:
– Community Health Centers often provide care regardless of immigration status
5. Safe Housing:
– Many domestic violence shelters do not require legal status for services
6. Workers’ Rights:
– All workers, regardless of immigration status, have labor rights in the U.S.
– Many organizations serving survivors do not ask about immigration status.
– Some cities and states have “sanctuary” policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
– Victim service providers are generally not required to report immigration status.
Remember
– Your safety and well-being are important.
– Abuse is never your fault, and your immigration status does not define your worth.
– There are people and organizations committed to helping you, regardless of your documentation status.
– Seeking help can be a crucial step towards safety and healing.
If you’re in immediate danger, call 911. Emergency services are required to respond regardless of immigration status.
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS
If you’re a survivor experiencing suicidal thoughts, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Many survivors struggle with these feelings, but there is hope and help available.
– Your life matters. You are important and deserving of support and care.
– Suicidal thoughts are not a sign of weakness, but a sign that you’ve been dealing with more pain than you can handle alone.
– Recovery is possible. Many survivors have overcome suicidal thoughts and found renewed purpose and joy in life.
– Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
– You don’t have to go through this alone. Reach out and let others support you.
Suicidal thoughts can be a response to the intense pain and trauma of assault or abuse. They may stem from:
– Feelings of hopelessness or despair
– Overwhelming emotional pain
– A desire to escape from suffering
– Feeling like a burden to others
– Isolation or loneliness
It’s crucial to remember that these feelings, while intense, can be temporary. With proper support and care, many survivors find ways to manage these thoughts and rediscover hope.
1. Reach out immediately. You don’t have to face this alone.
2. Call a suicide prevention hotline or crisis line.
3. If you’re in immediate danger of harming yourself, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
4. Tell someone you trust about how you’re feeling.
5. Remember that suicidal thoughts are a symptom, not a solution.
– Create a safety plan with your therapist or a trusted person.
– Identify and write down reasons for living.
– Practice grounding techniques to stay present.
– Engage in self-care activities that bring you comfort.
– Connect with supportive friends, family, or support groups.
1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
– Call 1-800-273-8255 (Available 24/7)
– Online chat: [https://
2. Crisis Text Line:
– Text HOME to 741741 (US)
3. The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth):
– Call 1-866-488-7386
– Text START to 678678
4. Veterans Crisis Line:
– Call 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
– Text 838255
5. Trans Lifeline:
– Call 1-877-565-8860 (US)
6. RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline:
– Call 1-800-656-4673
7. National Domestic Violence Hotline:
– Call 1-800-799-7233
8. Befrienders Worldwide:
– [https://www.befrienders.org/] (International suicide prevention helplines)
If you’re having thoughts of suicide, please reach out to one of the resources listed above immediately. Your life is valuable, and there are people ready to support you through this difficult time.
