Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Information

click here for QUICK ESCAPE

+ If you need help immediately, please call 911 and get to a safe place.

+ If you need to talk to someone, there are a lot of people out there who want to talk to you and help you. Here are a few:

  1. RAINN (The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) - 800-656-HOPE(4673) (http://www.rainn.org/)
  2. The National Domestic Abuse Hotline - 800-799-SAFE(7233), or 800-787-3224 (TTY) (http://www.thehotline.org/)
  3. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-8255 (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/)

+ Helpers, Support Staff, Advocates, Friends, Family:

  • Only respond with support and love when someone comes out to you about their past or present regarding rape, assault, and abuse.
  • If someone is still with their abuser or still living in abusive conditions, do not try to force them to leave.
  • Do not talk around the person if other people are around. Include them in conversations at all times.
  • Try your best to be understanding and never condescending with your friend or client if they have not left their abuser.
  • The only things you need to give are: 1. support and 2. options.  If you cannot give either, the best thing to do is find a support number they can call.  Here are some for reference:
    1. RAINN (The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) - 800-656-HOPE(4673) (http://www.rainn.org/)
    2. The National Domestic Abuse Hotline - 800-799-SAFE(7233), or 800-787-3224 (TTY) (http://www.thehotline.org/)
    3. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-8255 (http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/)
    4. If they are in immediate danger, they can always call 911.
  • Many people who come out regarding abuse, rape, domestic violence, or incest can be extremely defensive.  Remember, they are telling you what could be their deepest secret.  They might not be secure about it - you may be the first person they have ever told!  Let that temper your reaction and response.  Abusing them more will not help.
  • Online can be even more problematic because if you do not respond in an appropriate manner, the person may be alone and unable to deal with any feelings that come up resulting from your words.  If a person comes out regarding abuse, never use their moment of victory as a stepping stone for a sermon about kink, roleplay, bdsm and/or consent.  Never.  Save that for later or for your own safe space - you never know how your words might affect someone else.
  • Again, the only two responses that are needed for advocacy in situations regarding rape, incest, sexual assault, domestic violence and abuse are: support and options.

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+ If you’re reading this and you need help, please call one of those numbers.  Make sure you are in a safe place where you won’t be found during your call.  If you choose to go to websites about help, please make sure you are in a safe place (like a public library or a friend’s computer) and using a computer where the history will not be monitored.  If you’re using a website, always keep track of the QUICK ESCAPE button.  It’s usually located in the top right corner of the page.  If you click it it will take you to an unrelated website in case you are found while using the site. If you need to talk, there is help and there is hope. You’re not alone.  Love.

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