For such a long time, if a person experienced a sexual assault that didn’t involve penetrative rape, it went largely ignored. As a society, we had been conditioned to accept things like nonconsensual touching or sexual advances while people have been drinking as just another part of our culture. Now, thanks to more and more people speaking out about their own experiences — most recently, former model Amy Dorris alleges that she was sexually assaulted by President Donald Trump in 1997. As these high-profile cases gain attention, others are coming to terms with the fact that at one point in their life, they may have been sexually assaulted as well.
Fortunately, we’re starting to move past the “it only counts if it’s rape” and “it doesn’t count if alcohol was involved” mentalities and starting to accept that sexual violence is far, far more all-encompassing and, unfortunately, pervasive in our culture than most people realized.
In fact, when Ford testified on Thursday, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, one of the leading organizations providing support for people who have experienced sexual assault, saw a 201 percent increase in phone calls according to a tweet from the organization. Not only did the nonstop national coverage of Ford’s testimony give people the courage to speak up, but it may have also helped people understand that a horrible incident that they experienced decades ago and still haunts them was — and can still be — traumatic. And no, it’s never too late to talk about it.
The number of people helped by the National Sexual Assault Hotline was 201% above average yesterday.
— RAINN (@RAINN) September 28, 2018
More: How Accusing Someone of Sexual Assault Affects Your Mental Health
While RAINN does amazing work, there are other groups and resources out there for people who have experienced sexual violence and those who are trying to support them. Here are a few:
Planned Parenthood
Everyone’s favorite provider of health care and all things sexual health and education comes through again with a video walking you through how to respond if someone shares that they’ve experienced sexual assault. It’s only a minute long and can help you find the words to be supportive and let them know you believe them.
More: Our Narrow View of Sexual Assault Is Letting People Get Away With It
RAINN
There’s a reason RAINN has been inundated with calls lately: They provide extensive information for survivors and their supporters as well as an actual person to talk to when you need it (though wait times might be longer than usual at the moment).
There’s an section of the website called “After Sexual Assault” where you can find information on everything from how to report the crime to law enforcement to how to recover to safety planning. There’s also a section with information for people supporting people who have experienced sexual violence, including what to say, how to help and self-care tips for friends and family. And of course, there’s the RAINN hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Your story matters and we believe you. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is free, confidential, anonymous, and available 24/7. 800.656.HOPE & https://t.co/j9dQGwplI2.
— RAINN (@RAINN) September 27, 2018
Safe Horizon
Though technically Safe Horizon is an organization that serves the five boroughs of New York City, they also have a very helpful website that anyone can access. This includes a recovery guide for survivors of sexual assault and information on the crime itself as well as where to find legal assistance and resources.
Dear survivors: It should ALWAYS be your choice how you share your story. You decide who to share it with and when. If you call us, we will believe you and offer options without judgement.
Safe Horizon’s rape and sexual assault hotline: 212-227-3000
#WhyIDidntReport pic.twitter.com/ZApAyxuZWk— SafeHorizon (@SafeHorizon) September 21, 2018
Victim Rights Law Center
Again, this is a semi-local organization — providing legal assistance to those in Massachusetts and Oregon — but it also provides general resources anyone can access online to get more information about sexual assault.
Survivors everywhere are fighting- internally, emotionally, and some quite publicly. They are all extremely brave. Thank you all for your courage and we support you through this especially trying week. #MeToo #BelieveSurvivors #TimesUp https://t.co/ZArQR47q9F
— Victim Rights Law (@VictimRightsLaw) September 28, 2018
Anti-Violence Project
Though not specific to sexual violence, the Anti-Violence Project offers free bilingual (English/Spanish), 24-hour, 365-day-a-year crisis intervention and support to LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of any type of violence as well as to those who love and support them. The number is 212-714-1141 and their website provides information on how to get counseling, legal support and other types of assistance.
In light of the #KavanaughHearings, we urge you to remain mindful of all survivors by adding a content warning before sharing inflammatory news content about surviving sexual violence.
— AVP (@antiviolence) September 27, 2018
It’s never easy to speak up about sexual violence, but when you’re ready to talk about it, it’s nice to know there are organizations out there that can help.
A version of this story was published September 2018.
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