Types of Sexual Abuse Resources
Sexual assault survivors can access a variety of support resources throughout their recovery. Whether you need medical care or mental health support, people are ready to help.
Common resources for sexual abuse survivors include:
- 24/7 sexual abuse hotlines
- Medical care resources
- National nonprofit sexual abuse organizations
- Sexual abuse law firms
- Sexual assault mental health counseling
- Support groups for sexual abuse survivors
- Title IX offices with sexual abuse resources
Exploring sexual abuse resources could help you find organizations that can support you. You don’t have to recover alone, especially if you want to seek accountability.
Contact us today if you’re ready to explore your legal rights.
24/7 Sexual Abuse Hotlines
Crisis hotlines are free phone, chat, and text lines staffed around the clock by people trained to provide resources for survivors of sexual assault. They provide a safe way to be heard without necessarily giving your name or making any immediate decisions.
If you are in immediate danger, always call 911 for help. Otherwise, you can reach out to whichever 24/7 hotline best fits your situation, even if you’re unsure who to call.
Here are some 24/7 crisis hotlines for sexual abuse:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 if you are contemplating suicide or experiencing emotional distress. Crisis counselors are also available through online chat and ASL video calls.
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: Call or text (800) 422-4453 to get confidential, free support after sexual abuse, domestic violence, or other forms of abuse. Online chat is also available.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call (800) 799-7233, text 88788, or start an online chat to get confidential, anonymous crisis support designed for people experiencing intimate partner violence, including sexual assault.
- National Human Trafficking Hotline: Call (888) 373-7888, text 233733, or message a counselor online for toll-free support after being trafficked or seeing someone who may be a sex trafficking victim.
- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call (800) 656-4673, chat online, or text HOPE to 64673 to speak with trained support specialists who speak both English and Spanish.
- The Deaf Hotline: Call (855) 812-1001 or chat online if you or someone you love is part of the deaf community and experiencing sexual or domestic violence.
The best sexual abuse resources let you set the pace. You can share as much as you want, ask questions, or just have someone listen to your concerns without making a police report.
Sexual Abuse Medical Care Resources
Medical resources for sexual abuse victims help with physical injuries. Trained staff members may treat wounds or collect forensic (DNA) evidence depending on your preferences.
If you want forensic evidence collected, you may not have to take legal action immediately afterward. States determine how long law enforcement must keep the DNA evidence kits, which can range from 1 year to 20 years.
You can find medical care after sexual abuse at places like:
- An emergency room: Many hospitals have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE staff members) who can gently collect forensic evidence if preferred. Doctors and nurses can also provide other medical services, like injury treatment or testing for sexual infections and diseases.
- Community health clinics: Medical experts at these clinics can treat or test for sexually transmitted infections, provide general health care services, and arrange for emergency contraception.
- Urgent care clinics: Urgent care teams can treat injuries and provide prescription medication, but may not be equipped for forensic exams.
Getting medical care won’t force you to take any legal action. If you need help finding health care providers or other sexual abuse resources, you can call one of the 24/7 crisis hotlines above for further guidance.
National Nonprofit Sexual Abuse Organizations
National sexual assault resource centers are available for anyone seeking community, information, or advocacy after sexual abuse. You aren’t out of options if you live in a rural area without crisis resource clinics.
National support resources for sexual abuse survivors include:
- FORGE: FORGE provides support services to transgender and nonbinary survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
- Joyful Heart Foundation: This organization has a library of resources for full-body healing after sexual abuse or people trying to support a loved one who’s been sexually assaulted.
- LGBT National Help Center: You can call this organization for free, confidential support and recommendations for LGBTQ+ affirming local resources, including health care providers.
- National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault (SCESA): This advocacy organization connects women of color who’ve survived sexual abuse to local organizations that trained with SCESA on identity- and culture-informed support.
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): The NSVRC has directories of state- and territory-based sexual assault groups, plus guidance on what to do after a sexual assault.
- Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): RAINN is the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S. and operates the DoD Safe Helpline if you’re experiencing sexual assault in a military community.
Whether you’re looking for child sexual abuse resources or guidance while you support a loved one who’s been sexually assaulted, national organizations can provide help and refer you to experts close to home.
Sexual Abuse Law Firms
While there are many resources for victims of sexual abuse centered around medical care and counseling, you may feel ready to take legal action. Her Case Matters has partnered with experienced sexual abuse law firms who can help you understand your legal rights and potential next steps.
Our compassionate team can help you:
- Get a free case review: We’ll listen to your experience and let you know if you qualify for a sexual abuse lawsuit.
- Work with a sexual abuse lawyer: Lawyers at our partner sexual abuse law firm collect evidence to strengthen your case, which may include information like medical records.
- File your lawsuit: Your sexual abuse attorney will file your lawsuit in the proper court before state-specific applicable deadlines pass.
- Recover at home: Rest with loved ones and get the care you need while your lawyer negotiates sexual abuse compensation or represents you in court, if necessary.
Sexual abuse law firms help women hold those involved accountable for their suffering. Compensation could help you afford resources for sexual abuse survivors like therapy and medical treatments.
Contact us today to learn more about how a sexual assault law firm may be able to assist you.
Sexual Assault Mental Health Counseling
Trauma-informed counseling gives women a safe, structured space to process what happened at their own pace. It’s one of the best sexual assault victim resources because therapy could help you find peace or closure.
Survivors find mental health professionals by checking out:
- Local rape crisis centers: Survivors can access free or low-cost, trauma-informed counseling at local rape crisis centers. They may provide short- or long-term support, depending on the center’s resources.
- Mental Health Match: If you aren’t sure what to look for, take the Mental Health Match questionnaire to assess your goals and get matched with therapists who understand what you’re going through.
- Open Path Psychotherapy Collective: Open Path Psychotherapy Collective is a nonprofit that helps people access therapy at sliding-scale rates, so you can get trauma-informed counseling without health insurance.
- Psychology Today’s therapist directory: Psychology Today has an extensive therapist directory, making it one of the best resources for sexual abuse survivors. You can search for counselors who specialize in sexual abuse or accept your health insurance plan, among other filters.
- Therapy Den: Sexual assault or abuse survivors in the LGBTQ+ community can find inclusive care and trauma-informed counseling through this platform.
Local sexual assault resources shouldn’t feel impossible to reach because of cost. Explore the mental health directories above to find licensed therapists who can support your long-term healing.
Support Groups for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Local rape crisis centers often double as locations that foster community and provide resources for sexual abuse survivors. If you don’t have a sexual assault resource center in your town, you may be able to get support from larger organizations with state-level connections.
These are some well-known support groups for sexual abuse victims:
- After Silence: Sexual assault survivors can join online support groups, chat rooms, and message boards by visiting After Silence.
- Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV): Women from Asian, Native Hawaiian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, North African, and Middle Eastern communities can find identity-centered support groups by contacting the API-GBV for recommendations.
- Esperanza United: This national organization supports Latina women who have experienced sexual abuse by connecting them with local support groups, among other advocacy work.
- Pandora’s Project: Pandora’s Project is an online support group for sexual assault survivors. If you’d prefer a virtual community, you can join its chat rooms and message boards.
- Safe Horizon: This victim service organization helps people seeking community after experiencing sexual violence and other forms of trauma. Explore the Safe Horizon directory to find the kind of support group you’re looking for.
- Ujima Inc.: This organization educates people to support Black women who have experienced sexual assault. They can refer you to local support groups who have trained with them.
There are numerous resources for sexual assault survivors who are ready to talk about their trauma. You’ll find the best support by giving yourself time to visit different groups and see where you feel most comfortable.
Title IX Offices
If you or someone you love has been sexually assaulted while a college student or on a university campus, there may be a Title IX office you can contact. They can enforce Title IX protections and connect you with sexual abuse resources.
Title IX is a landmark federal civil rights law passed in 1972. Among the many sex-based discrimination policies it enforces, it also protects students from sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination.
Title IX offices provide these resources for sexual assault victims:
- Complaint investigations: Staff members can investigate your sexual misconduct or discrimination complaint, even if it’s against a professor or university administrators.
- Lifestyle or safety accommodations: You may be eligible for housing changes, course adjustments, a no-contact order with your abuser, or campus escorts. The Title IX office will help you set up what you need to recover and continue your education.
- Mental health referrals: If you’re not sure where to get mental health counseling, the Title IX office can provide referrals for on- or off-campus therapy.
You’re not alone during your recovery from sexual assault. Whether you’re looking for emotional support, counseling, medical care, or community, specialists and organizations are ready to help you.
Tips to Support Sexual Abuse Survivors
If someone you loved has told you about their traumatic experience, you may not know how to respond. The key is listening and providing emotional support before taking any actionable steps.
These are some things you can do for sexual assault survivors in your life:
- Ask how you can help. They may only want emotional support if they’re not ready to file a police report or call a Title IX office.
- Express your gratitude for trusting you with their story.
- Look into sexual assault awareness resources like prevention education pamphlets or online videos. You’ll learn how to talk about uncomfortable or uncertain topics without making survivors feel rejected.
- Leave room for future conversations. Your loved one might not want to talk about their trauma again, but checking in on them could make them more comfortable with the idea.
Avoid pressing for details or pushing your loved one to explore sexual abuse resources before they’re ready. You can also talk with our team if you’re interested in your legal options but aren’t sure how to take the next step.
Get your free case review now.
Explore Sexual Assault Resources
There are many sexual assault resources for victims and their families. Whether you want to speak with a crisis hotline, join an online community, or find a local support group, organizations are ready to help.
Her Case Matters is also standing by if you or your loved one wants to discuss your legal options. Our compassionate team can provide clarity without any pressure to move forward.
Get a free case review or call (877) 904-4241 now to get support.
Sexual Abuse Resources FAQs
What are the 3 D's of sexual assault?
The 3 D’s of sexual assault are bystander intervention strategies that may prevent or interrupt sexual violence. If they don’t work or the situation is too dangerous, you can always call 911 for help.
These are the 3 D’s of sexual assault:
- Direct: If it’s safe, step in and ask the victim if they’re okay before telling the perpetrator to stop their inappropriate behavior.
- Distract: Shift the perpetrator’s attention by giving the victim a chance to get away. This might include pretending to know the victim or asking them for assistance with finding something.
- Delegate: Get help from a nearby bouncer, campus security officer, or member of law enforcement if you feel unsafe stopping the situation alone.
The 3 D’s are preventative measures, but they may not solve every conflict. Support resources are available for survivors who are ready to ask for help or pursue sexual abuse lawsuits.
Our team is ready to listen, so contact us now to see if you can take legal action.
What is an organization that helps victims?
There are many organizations that help victims of sexual assault or abuse. Comparing your options could help you or your loved one get the specific support you need to start healing.
These are some top organizations providing sexual abuse resources:
- LGBT National Help Center: This organization provides free support and can recommend local resources for sexual assault victims.
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): Sexual abuse survivors can get guidance and find local support groups with the NSVRC’s directories.
- Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN): RAINN provides support for sexual assault survivors, including those in the military.
Sexual abuse survivors may need various kinds of support, so there are numerous organizations ready to help. Seeing what each group offers could help you find the best resources for your needs.
What is the best place for victims of sexual assault to get professional help?
The best place for victims of sexual assault to get professional help depends on what they need. Their preference may also change if they’re not ready to speak with someone in person but are comfortable talking to support groups online.
Here are the best places to get professional help after sexual assault:
- A local emergency room, hospital, or urgent care clinic: You should get medical care for any wounds or infections right away. A hospital may also have trained providers who can collect forensic evidence before it’s too late.
- Licensed mental health providers: A therapist can help you process your trauma and decide which steps you’re comfortable taking next.
- Local law enforcement: The police can open a criminal investigation if you’re ready to provide forensic evidence, your testimony, or pursue criminal charges.
- Sexual abuse hotlines: Support teams can connect you with local organizations if you’re unsure where to get resources.
- Sexual assault law firms: Sexual abuse lawyers could collect evidence, negotiate a settlement, or represent you in civil court to help you get justice.
The key is not pushing yourself or your loved one to do anything that feels retraumatizing. Experts providing sexual abuse resources will be there to help when you’re ready, including the Her Case Matters team.
You can always call us at (877) 904-4241 if you’re interested in seeking justice and compensation.
What is the best therapy for sexual abuse survivors?
The best therapy for sexual abuse survivors differs for each person. However, a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association found that specific kinds of therapy are more effective.
The study identified these therapies as most helpful:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Narrative exposure therapy
- Prolonged exposure therapy
Talk with a licensed mental health counselor about your options. They may recommend a specific treatment depending on your life experience and how your trauma has affected you.
What are some resources for preventing sexual assault?
Resources for preventing sexual assault include educational materials and self-defense classes. If people learn how to spot harassment and help victims with tools like the 3 D’s — direct, distract, and delegate — everyone can support each other better.
Self-defense classes can help people fight off attackers if they’re targeted. If you aren’t sure which resources and prevention strategies are right for you, call a sexual assault hotline for assistance.
What are some sexual assault resources near me?
You can find sexual abuse resources near you by contacting support organizations. Sexual assault crisis centers, advocacy groups, and community medical clinics could help you find what you need.
You can also call sexual abuse hotlines for assistance. They may have a national network of volunteers or trained specialists who can provide guidance.
If you’re ready to pursue legal accountability, Her Case Matters may be able to help. Get your free case review today to see if you qualify for a sexual abuse lawsuit.
Written by: Her Case Matters
At HerCaseMatters, we believe women deserve to be heard — especially when it comes to their health and safety. Too often, harmful drugs, devices, and corporate wrongdoing impact women’s lives without proper warning, support, or accountability. We’re here to change that. We work with trusted legal partners who are deeply experienced in holding powerful companies accountable. But more than that, we’re here to remind women everywhere that their pain is real, their experiences matter, and they deserve justice.
- Find a Helpline. (n.d.). Free hotlines for sexual assault and abuse in the United States. Retrieved from: https://findahelpline.com/countries/us/topics/sexual-abuse.
- Kentucky Office of the Attorney General. (2016). Statutory guide to sexual assault forensic evidence. Retrieved from: https://ksponline.ky.gov/SafeKit/Documentation/SAFE_Act_Statutory_Review.pdf.
- Miles, L. W., Valentine, J. L., Mabey, L. J., Hopkins, E. S., Stodtmeister, P. J., Rockwood, R. B., & Moxley, A. N. H. (2023). A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Treatments for Adolescent and Adult Sexual Assault Victims. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 30(3). Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1177/10783903231216138.
- State of California Department of Justice Office of the Attorney General. (n.d.). Your rights as a victim of sexual assault. Retrieved from: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/media/ab1312-brochure-le.pdf.
