Links and Resources for Victims and Survivors of Sexual Violence
Crisis Support Hotlines and Websites
RAINN – Online Chat Hotline, Phone Hotline, and Local Service Provider Search
Provides confidential crisis counseling online for rape and sexual abuse survivors in the US and internationally. Whether you’re looking for support, information, advice, or a referral, RAINN’s trained support specialists are ready to help.
RAINN also provides help over the phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline – 1-800-273-8255
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a United States-based suicide prevention network of 161 crisis centers that provides a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
If you are thinking about suicide, please read this first.
The Gay and Lesbian National Help Center: Support, Affirmation, Respect, Acceptance
“Serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning community by providing free & confidential peer-support and local resources.”
This resource includes an online peer support chat, weekly youth chatrooms, and a search register to find LGBTQ resources throughout the United States.
LGBT National Hotline 1-888-843-4564
LGBT National Youth Talkline 1-800-246-7743
LGBT National Senior Hotline 1-888-234-7243
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
At the National Domestic Violence Hotline, our highly trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone in the United States who is experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
Survivor Support and Websites
RAINN – Online Chat Hotline, Phone Hotline, and Local Service Provider Search
Provides confidential crisis counseling online for rape and sexual abuse survivors in the US and internationally. Whether you’re looking for support, information, advice, or a referral, RAINN’s trained support specialists are ready to help.
RAINN also provides help over the phone: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Pandora’s Aquarium
Online support group for survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and their friends and family. This online support forum is part of Pandora’s Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, and resources to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their friends and family.
Pandora’s Project
Pandora’s Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support, and resources to survivors of rape and sexual abuse and their friends and family. This website provides peer support, and numerous articles made by other survivors.
Media Resources for Survivors
Literature
The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Lauren Davis
- Most comprehensive resource to date, raved and referenced by many survivors
- May be overwhelming for the beginner, but a must-have
- I suggest not reading this from front to back—it is actually meant to go out of order, depending on where you are with your journey
The Courage to Heal Workbook: For Women and Men Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Laura Davis
- Used as an accompaniment to The Courage to Heal
- Excellent guided writing prompts, highly recommend to get the most out of The Courage to Heal
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
- Dr. Van Der Kolk’s life’s work was dedicated to understanding the intersection of experiences between survivors of incredible trauma
- His book helps others to understand the unique experiences of the trauma survivor, but also gives tangible and actionable advise based on research and science
Podcasts
Here Podcast by Felicia Connor
- “The Here podcast is a weekly show that brings you stories and tools to reclaim your power and reconnect with your mind and body. Through interviews, resource sharing and more, the host Felicia Conner gives people a platform to release their stories, taking away the power it has had over their lives.”
- Felicia is an amazing podcast host, her podcast features superb audio clarity and a fresh conversational tone/approach to surviving sexual abuse
- She is a mother and a survivor, dedicated to her audience
- She will soon be launching a private Facebook community that can be accessed by survivors, and will be holding a book club featuring The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis
Trauma Queen is a podcast mini-series focused on normalizing the conversation around sexual assault and other traumas.
- Hosted by Jimanekia Eborn – Queer Media Consultant, Comprehensive Sex Educator, and Sexual Assault & Trauma Expert, Jimanekia will be talking with survivors, therapists, partners, educators, and experts. Real conversations with real people.
- Each episode will highlight active and productive steps forward as well as three new resources for survivors and allies.
Project Markie by Markie Williams [Season 1; 12 Episodes]
- “Markie Williams created “Project Markie” to share, for the first time in public, her story and personal experience with domestic violence and human trafficking. Through this podcast, she’s bringing to light the stories of those who have been confronted by incredible obstacles, traumas or challenges that may have led them to a very dark and hopeless lace – and who were able to overcome the difficulties the faced and redefine their futures.”
- “The podcast that’s shining a light on the darkness of abuse endured by survivors. These are the first-hand accounts of survivors of domestic abuse, human trafficking, and sexual assault”
Talking About the No-No ‘s by Kathryn and Chelsea
- “Hopeful discussions about the hard stuff. Talking about taboos, difficult subjects and what healing looks like for people in real time.”
- Kathryn and Chelsea have a very approachable, conversational approach
- While some episodes are about sexual abuse/sexual assault, they include other topics of discussion that not many people bring up in conversation
Relentless Joanna by Yours Truly – Updates on the Relentless Project, lesson tidbits for survivors, and various inspiration
Unapologeticallysurviving – Inspirational illustration/art, info-graphic collection that addresses surviving sexual abuse/assault.
artsyaffirmations – Art dedicated to spreading positivity. Not specifically dedicated for sexual assault, but it’s some great sunshine to add to your feed!
Blogs & Other Websites
To be added soon!
Phone Apps
PTSD Coach, developed by the Veteran’s Association
Headspace, guided meditations
Betterhelp, online counseling and therapy provided by licensed professionals (currently using, started 4/12/2020)
…more to be added soon!
Black Mental Health Resources (New)
Informational Resources:
Black Mental Health
Black Mental Health Alliance (410) 338-2642
Identity of Cultural Dimensions: Black/African-American, by the National Alliance on Mental Illness
“According to the Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, African Americans are 10% more likely to experience serious psychological distress. African Americans, like many minority communities, are also more likely to experiencesocioeconomic disparities such as exclusion from health, educational, social and economic resources. These disparities may contribute to worse mental health outcomes.”
This page has plenty of valuable information:
- Issues to consider when seeking quality mental healthcare (dealing with prejudice in the healthcare realm in addition to socio-economic factors)
- Seeking a provider who is culturally competent in serving other Black clients, a long list of mental health resources geared toward Black clients seeking care
- Self care tips for People of Color (POC)
- A list of treatment directories
- Educational resources for Black people
- Informational resources for people who seek to take action as an Ally or Champion for People of Color
- A list of books about Black people in the context of mental health
Informational Resources:
Black Survivors and/or Victims of Sexual Violence
“Sexual Violence in the Lives of African American Women” by Carolyn M. West and Kamilah Johnson (2013)
- Historical Overview
- Characteristics of Black Rape Survivors
- Risk Factors
- Physical and Mental Health Consequences
- Culturally Sensitive Responses
- Resilience
“Black Women and Black Lives Matter: Fighting Police Misconduct in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases” by Vania Leveille, Senior LEgislative Counsel & Sandra Park, Senior Staff Attorney of the American Civil Rights Union Women’s Rights Project (2015)
This Blog Post mentions the following:
- Women and Criminal Justice
- Women’s Rights
- Racial Profiling
- Race and Criminal Justice
- Racial Justice
- Housing Policy and Local Ordinances
- Violence Against Women
Are there Resources that you think should be added to this page? Leave a comment, message me through Instagram @relentlessjoanna, or email The Relentless Project!