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Coping Book

Dear Survivor:The small group of women who started the Rape Crisis Center in Savannah,Georgia in 1975 were hoping to be able to “put themselves out of business”within a few years. Unfortunately, sexual assault still happens. It touches thelives of thousands each year and brings with it much pain and confusion. We created this booklet as a resource available to sexual assault survivors,friends, and family. We hope it can answer questions and address specificissues of concern that are sometimes difficult to discuss. As you are working through your healing process, you may find it helpful totalk about your experience and your feelings. We encourage you to call the24-hour Crisis Line at (912) 233-7273 any time to talk with an advocate. Youmay also set up an appointment for an individual counseling session or join asupport group by contacting our office at (912) 233-3000.We care about you and want to help.Sincerely,The RCC Staff & Volunteers

Table of Contents

Our MissionProvide resources and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and prevention education foryouth and adults.Advocacy services·24/7 Crisis Defense Response· 24/7 crisis line support· Police accompaniment · Judicial accompaniment· Individual counseling for survivors and/or their families· Support GroupSexual Assault Response TeamYour Advocate can act as a liaison with the following:· SANE Nurse forensic evidence collection· Law Enforcement Detective: Investigation Process· Assistant District Attorney (ADA): prosecutorial process· Compensation to victims· Other community partnersIf you have questions about the process, an advocate is available from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. by calling the RCC office at (912) 233-3000.

MYTH: Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers.FACT: This myth persists because it is hard to believe that someone you know and trustcan assault you. In truth, most sexual assaults are committed by someone the survivorknows. The perpetrator of the assault is usually a friend, acquaintance or family member. Myths and Facts The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicitconsent of the victim. Sexual assault includes, but is not limited to, rape, attempted rape,incest, indecent exposure, child molestation, forced sexual contact and sexual harassment.If you have experienced a sexual assault, it is normal to have many fears and anxietiesabout what happened, why it happened and how it happened. Knowing the facts aboutsexual assault can allow you to deal with your concerns more effectively.MYTH: Sexual assault could never happen to me because I would fight back.FACT: This myth helps foster a false sense of security for some people. The fact is thateven those who resist their attacker can be assaulted. When faced with a gun or knife orthe threat of injury, most people freeze. In addition, many sexual assaults that do notinvolve weapons involve some kind of trickery. If an assailant was to threaten a familymember or loved one, for example, most people consented to save the lives of theirloved ones. Regardless of what the situation is or how you react to it, remember thatsexual assault is not your fault. MYTH: Myth: People who have been sexually assaulted will be hysterical and crying.FACT: In reality, people who have been sexually assaulted don't always look injured orappear upset. People react differently to the trauma of a sexual assault. Most survivors arenot physically injured. Even children who are sexually abused for many years may notshow any visible signs. Myth: There are no male or LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual assault.FACT: Men can be and are sexually assaulted, and not only by other men. Though themajority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by men, women can also be perpetrators.Within the LGBTQ community, transgender people and bisexual women face the mostalarming rates of sexual violence.

Feelings and ReactionsIf you find yourself making statements like these, you are not alone. Other survivors ofsexual assault have similar feelings. The trauma you have experienced may affect your feelings about yourself, yourrelationships with others, and your physical and mental health for many months, or, in somecases, even years. There are two types of immediate reactions that often follow an assault: 1. You openly demonstrate your feelings You may express anger, fear, anxiety or confusion. You may be restless or tense. You might cry hysterically. 2. OR You hide your feelings You appear to be calm and collected. You are experiencing many feelings, but you are holding them inside. Every survivor of sexual assault reacts differently and may feel, respond and recover in hisor her own way. Physical reactions may include: ·Soreness all over, including headaches·Sleep disturbances and nightmares·Appetite disturbances and nausea·Specific complaints/physical pain associated with the attack A wide range of emotional reactions is a normal part of processing the trauma of a sexualassault. These reactions may include: ·A variety of fears·Feelings of humiliation, degradation ·Guilt, shame, embarrassment·Anger or a desire for revenge·Mood swings·Depression

There are no right or wrong feelings after a sexual assault. You will recover at your ownpace. Whatever you are experiencing will lessen in intensity as time passes, and you willbegin to feel more in control again. Making your own decisions, regardless of how minor, can be a helpful part of the healingprocess. You are the best judge of what is right for you. It is important to regain a sense ofyour own personal power. During this time, remember that you did nothing to provoke the attack. You are notresponsible for the actions of the assailant, nor are you responsible for the reactions offriends, relatives or others who may, or may not, support you. You may never completelyforget the assault; however, you can learn to live with it as part of your past. It is importantto understand that you can put the experience in a manageable light and go on with yourlife, becoming confident and self-reliant again.Why Me?Wondering why this happened to you is not unusual. You were not assaulted because ofanything you did or said. You did not deserve it, and you did not “ask for it.” The act ofsexual assault is the fault of assailant. Sexual assault is an act of violence; it is a way tohumiliate, to express rage and hatred and to gain power and control. Be assured that there was nothing you did to invite such an attack. The assailant isresponsible for the crime, not you. Whether you left the door unlocked or walked down adimly street at night, the assailant is still the one to blame. Whether you fought backunsuccessfully or were too terrified to make a sound is also beside the point. The assailantis at fault, not you. Trying to figure out why this happened is natural. However, you may never find thatanswer. The most important thing is that you survived. You can cope, recover and heal.

What Stages Will I Go Through?After a sexual assault, the stages you will experience are similar to those you mightexperience when grieving, such as loss, fear, anger, guilt and depression. However, there isno particular order to the stages that you will experience. You may walk through one stageand then, seemingly out of nowhere, some of the same feelings may resurface. Yourreactions, as disturbing as they may seem, are perfectly natural. It is often important to talk with a friend, relative, or counselor as you work through yourfeelings about the assault. Having someone who can listen without judgment can provide awelcome release. The Rape Crisis Center offers support groups where you can discuss your experience withothers who have experienced the same type of trauma. Being involved in a support groupmay help you feel less alone. The Rape Crisis Center also offers individual counseling.

Support for Male Survivors Many people believe that sexual assault is solely a women’s issue; therefore, the shock ofthe assault you have experienced may be very upsetting and difficult to accept. The truth isthat sexual assault is committed against both men and women. In fact, statistics show thatone in every 4 men experience sexual violence in their lifetimes (CDC, 2021). One out ofevery 10 rape victims is male (RAINN.org).If you are a male survivor, you may feel alone, but remember you have done nothing thatjustifies this violent attack, and the assault has nothing to do with your present or futuresexual orientation. You may experience some of the same emotions and feelings that female survivors have. Inaddition, there may be specific issues that you want to discuss, such as: ·Sexuality and masculinity·Medical examination and evidence collection·Reporting the assault to law enforcement·Telling others·Finding resources and support The pain you are experiencing is real, but you do not have to face it alone. The Rape CrisisCenter offers supportive services for you and all victims of sexual assault, regardless ofgender. 1in6.orgThe mission of 1 in 6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experienceslive healthier, happier lives. A 24/7 Helpline Chat is offered through their website. Theyalso support family members, friends, partners and service providers by sharing informationand support resources online.

Support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender SurvivorsWe recognize that survivors who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender may faceadditional challenges after a sexual assault.You may experience fear or concern about coming forward for help and/or reporting theassault due to the possibility of discrimination. We know this is a valid concern, and whilewe can’t assure you about every aspect of your experience, we will be there with you everystep of the way, whether or not you choose to report an assault. In addition, our licensed counselor is here to support you with free, confidential counseling.We can also provide referrals to counselors in the community who have experience workingwith LGBT clients to support your long-term recovery.Local Resource:First City Pride Center (Formerly the Savannah LGBT Center) (912) 304-LGBT [5428]https://www.firstcitypridecenter.orgFirst City Pride Center is an inclusive advocacy, social, and service organization activelyworking to meet the needs for safety, empowerment, education, and wellbeing of GreaterSavannah’s LGBTQIA+ community.Anti-Violence Project24/7 English-Spanish hotline: (212) 714-1141https://avp.orgAVP offers a 24-7 English-Spanish national hotline for LGBTQ survivors of violence. AVPalso empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communitiesand allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education and supportssurvivors through counseling and advocacy. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) National Hotline1-888-843-4564https://www.glbthotline.orgFree and confidential national hotline. Volunteers are trained to respond to sexual assaultcalls as well as general concerns.

What About Self-protection?Feeling an increased concern for your personal safety is a normal reaction after beingattacked. Many rapists threaten to return to harm the survivor again. Although very fewever do this, the threat is very frightening. You may find you have heightened senses insituations similar to the assault and want to take additional precautions in these settings. Ifyou find yourself second-guessing what you could have done differently during the assault,please don’t. You reacted the best way that you could in order to survive. If you are thinking about a weapon as a means of self-protection, keep in mind that youalready possess the most effective weapons: your hands, feet and knees. Consider taking aself-defense course, it may help you rebuild your sense of security. The RCC offers free self-defense courses several times a year.Counseling Counseling can be an important part of the healing process for all survivors of sexualassault. Even if your sexual assault occurred many years ago, you might want to considercounseling now. It is never too late for counseling.Counseling is a confidential relationship between the survivor and the counselor. You can participate in counseling without anyone else knowing. It is very important that you find acounselor who has prior experience working with survivors of sexual assault. The counselorshould be comfortable working with the issues specific to the recovery of a survivor. Adult survivors of all types of sexual assault are encouraged to come to the Rape CrisisCenter for counseling, even if only for one or two visits. It is tremendously important thatyou have the chance to vent and sort out your feelings and emotions in a supportiveenvironment. Most people who use the counseling service at the Rape Crisis Center feelthat it is a rewarding experience that helps ease the recovery process. Friends and family members of sexual assault survivors might find that they needcounseling, too. The Rape Crisis Center also offers crisis intervention for friends and familymembers. In addition, the Rape Crisis Center provides crisis intervention and support groups forsurvivors of rape and sexual assault. Even if you see a therapist on a regular basis for otherissues, you might want to call the Rape Crisis Center to help you deal with the sexualassault. All of our services are free of charge.

Medical and Evidence Collection ExamsNote: During the COVID-19 pandemic, SANE exams may be conducted at the RCC officeto reduce possible exposure to COVID-19 and to free up space at the local hospitals forCOVID patients. The most common medical concerns following a sexual assault are physical injuries,sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Treatment should be sought as soon aspossible, even if you decide not to report the assault. To get medical attention, you may choose to go immediately to the emergency exam,especially if you think you have injuries. You can also call the RCC Crisis Line and request tobe seen for a SANE exam at our office. This exam is only needed if you think you want toreport the assault (even anonymously). You will have time to decide if you want to pursue alegal case, but if you think you might, you should get evidence collected.The hospital is legally obligated to notify the police of every sexual assault. However, thisdoes not mean that you have to file a crime report. If you decide to report the assault tolaw enforcement, a medical exam will be required to collect physical evidence. Otherwise,the doctor will only check for injuries, sexually transmitted diseases and, if applicable,pregnancy.In most jurisdictions, the police will automatically transport a sexual assault victim to thehospital emergency room. If so, you should be taken directly to a private exam room. Thenursing staff may take some general information—such as your physical condition—tomake sure you do not need immediate care. The hospital or the police will notify the RapeCrisis Center that you are in the emergency room. A Victim Advocate from the RCC willcome immediately to give support and answer your questions. Do not hesitate to ask aboutanything. The advocate will be there with you while you talk to the police and throughoutthe entire hospital interview process. Advocates are part of the RCC, not law enforcementor the legal process. Their only focus is to support you.The hospital staff may request your insurance information, and you may be billed for theemergency room care. (There is a fund to help compensate you for this. The RCC Advocatecan assist you with this process.) The evidence-collecting exam itself is free of charge.It is very important to note that bathing (or douching) before the medical examination could destroy evidence. However, if you have done so, do not let that stop you fromseeking medical attention and reporting the crime.

The physical exam will be completed either by an emergency room doctor or a SexualAssault Nurse Examiner (SANE). The exam will consist of the following:·Conducting a pelvic exam, if female, to obtain samples from the vagina, cervix and vulva·Samples may be obtained from the mouth or anus if oral or anal sex occurred·Combing pubic hair to obtain any foreign hairs·Clipping fingernails for possible skin or soil samples·Checking for bruises or lacerations·Pictures may be taken for use as evidence·Taking samples of dried blood or semen·Taking a blood sample, if necessary·Taking clothes as evidence (The RCC will provide clothing if needed.)·Testing for pregnancy (if applicable) It is very important that you have a follow-up exam with your physician, the HealthDepartment or Planned Parenthood three weeks following the assault for additional testsfor pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted diseases.The follow-up exam is important to your health and should be kept, even if you do notreport the assault to law enforcement. If you have any questions regarding follow-up care,please do not hesitate to call the Rape Crisis Center. STD Clinic - https://www.gachd.org/programs-services/std-hiv-services/Planned Parenthood: (912) 351-0116

The Legal ProcessAs a survivor of sexual assault, it is your choice whether or not to report the assault to thepolice and whether or not to prosecute the assailant. The legal system exists to protect youand to ensure that justice is served. Because the legal system can be confusing and frightening, the Rape Crisis Center has aVictim Advocate who will help you through the court system. The Victim Advocate is not anattorney but is available to provide you with information and support, every step of theway. The Victim Advocate works closely with the District Attorney’s office to ensure thatyou have the information and support you need for your case.Below is an outline of what occurs after an assault is reported to the police:Even if you do not want to prosecute the assailant, it is important to tell the police all of thedetails of the assault. The information you provide may help the police determine a repeatrapist’s pattern, which may help them capture a rapist or target a high-risk area forincreased patrols. While you are being interviewed, think about every question you are asked. Answer onlythose questions which you understand and to which you have clear answers. Ask the policeto explain anything you do not understand. You have the right to read over everything in the police record. You may even write yourown version to be added to the police report if you are not satisfied with the policeversion. During the course of the police investigation, you may be asked to look at any pictures ofpossible suspects or to look at evidence. If a suspect is detained, you may be asked toidentify the assailant in a lineup. The crimes of rape, attempted rape, child molestation and incest are classified as felonyinfractions under Georgia law. A felony is a serious crime, usually punishable by a prisonsentence of more than a year. Most sexual assault cases involve the following steps throughthe criminal justice system: A warrant is a document that gives police the authority to arrest the accused. A judgemust issue a warrant. The accused will be arraigned within 72 hours of the arrest, meaningthat bond will be set and a preliminary hearing date will be scheduled. If the accused isable to pay the bond (bail), they will be released from jail.

The preliminary hearing is usually held within one month of the arraignment. Witnesses(including the survivor) are often subpoenaed to appear at the preliminary hearing. Thejudge will listen to the testimony of the witnesses to decide if there is probable cause forthe case to get bound over (or go) to a higher court. If the judge finds that probable causeexists, a misdemeanor offense will be sent to State Court and a felony offense will be sentto Superior Court. In the State of Georgia, sexual assaults are prosecuted as felonies.After the preliminary hearing, the case will be assigned to the Assistant District Attorney,who will prepare for the Grand Jury Hearing. This may be two months or more after thepreliminary hearing, depending on the county in which the case is being prosecuted. In theGrand Jury Hearing, 23 Grand Jurors hear testimony from any witnesses who aresubpoenaed by the Assistant District Attorney to decide if there is enough evidence toindict, or formally charge, the defendant. The hearing is conducted in private and neitherthe defendant nor their attorney is present during the proceedings. If the Grand Jury indicts or brings formal charges against the defendant, the next step isthe calendar call. At this hearing, the defendant and their attorney appear before the judgeand indicate whether they plan to plead guilty or to ask for a jury trial. No witnesses aresubpoenaed to this hearing. If the defendant chooses to plead guilty, a plea hearing is held. The judge may sentencethe defendant at this hearing or at a later date. If the defendant pleads not guilty, the nextstep will be a pre-trial conference. Witnesses will not be subpoenaed to the plea hearing. If the defendant pleads not guilty and requests a jury trial, a pre-trial conference is usuallythe final hearing before the trial. At the pre-trial conference, the two attorneys appearbefore the judge and decide any legal questions and a tentative trial date is set. In a jury trial, a jury of 12 citizens will listen to testimony and determine whether to find thedefendant guilty or not guilty. Witnesses are subpoenaed to a jury trial. In order to convict the defendant, all 12 jurors must agree that the defendant is guiltybeyond a reasonable doubt. The judge may sentence immediately after conviction or ordera pre-sentencing investigation, or PSI.

As a victim of a crime, you are legally considered a witness for the State. You do not needto have a lawyer. The District Attorney’s office will handle the prosecution of the assailant.The Assistant District Attorney handling your case will answer any legal questions you haveonce the case has been bound over to Superior Court. It is important for you to stay in close contact with the District Attorney’s office or yourRape Crisis Center Advocate so that you know when your presence is needed in court. Besure to contact the District Attorney’s Office and your Advocate if you change your addressor phone number. *Survivor may be required to be present and testify in these proceedings.Chatham County Victim-Witness Assistance Programhttps://districtattorney.chathamcountyga.gov/Division/VictimWitnessThe Victim-Witness Assistance Program is a free resource that offers assistance to anyonewho has been victimized by, or has witnessed, a crime. This program provides a variety ofservices to crime victims, witnesses and their families, including case information, courtorientation and preparation, referrals to community agencies and assistance with applyingfor financial compensation.RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)https://www.rainn.org/after-sexual-assaultAs the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, RAINN created and operates theNational Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE) in partnership with more than 1,000 localsexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline forthe Department of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence,help victims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

Financial ConcernsAs a survivor of a violent crime, you may need medical or psychological care. Georgia has aCrime Victims Compensation Program to assist you with crime-related expenses if theassault is reported to the police. The program can help compensate you financially forservices such as medical expenses and counseling. Under certain circumstances, theprogram can also compensate for lost wages. The claim may be made even if yourproblems do not begin immediately following the sexual assault. The Crime VictimsCompensation Program does not compensate for pain and suffering or personal propertystolen during the crime. Be sure to keep copies of all bills, receipts and cancelled checks related to your post-assault expenses. You will also need a copy of the initial police report to complete yourdocumentation for the claim. Contact the Rape Crisis Center if you have any questionsabout your eligibility or for more information about how to file a claim. Your VictimAdvocate can help you with filling out the compensation forms. A Message to Family and Friends The most important thing that you can do for the person in your life who has beenassaulted is to listen to them when they are ready to talk and believe what they say. Bepatient, as it will take time for survivor to sort out their feelings. Reassure them that theirfeelings are normal responses to a traumatic event and that in sharing those feelings, theyare taking steps toward working them out. Communicate that they are not to blame for being sexually assaulted. They need to knowthat you realize it was not their fault. Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless ofage, income, appearance or physical strength. Survivors may blame themselves or haveregrets about what they did or didn’t do. Your role may be to help them see the eventmore realistically and to let them know that you still care about them. After going through an experience in which they had no control over what happened,survivors may feel a loss of control over their life in general. One way that they can regaincontrol is by making decisions about events that affect their life, such as reporting theassault, moving or changing jobs. To help them regain a sense of their own personalpower, support their decisions and resist your own tendency to “take care of the situation.”

Assuming some of the blame for what happened is common among friends and familymembers who may feel that it was or is their responsibility to protect the survivor.Remember that no one can exist in a protected environment at all times. We are allvulnerable, regardless of how much caution we may take. The only one to blame is theassailant. Try not to overreact by becoming overly protective of the survivor, as this willreinforce their view of themselves as powerless. If you are feeling the need to seek revenge against the person who did this, you are notalone. Anger is a natural reaction to what has happened, but extreme rage toward theassailant may frighten survivor and cause them to worry about your safety. Seeking out athird person to whom you can express your anger may be beneficial to all. The Rape CrisisCenter provides free, confidential counseling to those close to a survivor.If your relationship with the survivor includes being a sexual partner, you may expect sometemporary disruption in the previous patterns of your sexual activity. Reactions to sexualassault vary tremendously depending on the individual and that person’s particular style ofrecovery. Survivors may feel anxious about how their partners will respond to them andabout how they will respond to their partners. Be careful not to put pressure on yourpartner and allow your partner take control of the sexual decision-making during this time. Try to be understanding and sensitive. It will help your partner communicate more openlyand continue to heal. Your support will go a long way toward their recovery. Community Services Bryan County Sheriff (Pembroke) (912) 653-3800Richmond Hill Police (912) 756-3712 Tri-County Protective Agency (Domestic Violence) (912) 368-9200 Candler Hospital Emergency Room (912) 819-6000 Chatham County Police (912) 652-6500 Coastal Children’s Advocacy Center (912) 236-1401 District Attorney’s Office (912) 652-7308 Lifeline for Children (912) 644-7789 (Contact is through the Department of Family and Children’s Services) Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room (912) 350-8000 (Press 3 for Emergency Room)

Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Shelter (912) 234-4048 Planned Parenthood (912) 351-0116 Mary's Place Advocacy, Prevention & Sexual Assault Center: 24-Hour Crisis Line (912) 233-7273 MP Office: (912) 233-3000 S.A.F.E. Shelter (Domestic Violence) (912) 629-8888 STD Clinic of the Health Department (912) 356-2157 United Way First Call for Help ( Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty) 211 Victim-Witness Assistance Program (912) 652-7329 Non-emergency (Press 1) (912) 652-6500 Sex Crimes Unit (912) 651-6742 Witness Information Line (912) 652-7330 Effingham County Sheriff (912) 754-3449 Rincon Police (912) 826-5200 Springfield Police (912) 754-3061 Effingham Health System (912) 754-6451 Victim-Witness Assistance Program (912) 754-7460 Evans County Sheriff (912) 739-1611 Claxton City Police (912) 739-2121 Evans County Health Department (912) 739-2088 Tri-County Protective Agency (Domestic Violence) (912) 368-9200 Army Community Services (912) 315-6816 Helen's Haven Children's Advocacy Center (912) 369-2326 Department of Family and Children's Services (912) 370-2555 District Attorney's Office/ Victim-Witness Assistance (912) 876-4151 Fraser Counseling Center (912) 369-2396 Ft. Stewart Military Police (912) 368-3344 Hinesville Police Department (912) 368-8211 JAG Victim Witness Coordinator (912) 767-1459 Liberty County Sheriff (912) 876-2131 Liberty County Health Department (912) 876-2173 Tri-County Protective Agency (Domestic Violence) (912) 368-9200 Liberty Regional Medical Center (912) 369-9400 Winn Army Hospital Emergency Room (912) 435-6721

Long County Sheriff (912) 545-2118 Ludowici Police Department (912) 545-9472 Long County Health Department (912) 545-2107 Tri-County Protective Agency (Domestic Violence) (912) 368-9200 Tattnall County Sheriff (912) 557-6777 Glennville Police (912) 654-2103 Reidsville Police (912) 557-8800 Tattnall County Health Department (855) 473-4374 Tri-County Protective Agency (Domestic Violence) (912) 368-9200National Organizations/ Resources Centers for Disease Control (CDC)https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolencewww.rain.org National Sexual Assault Hotline:1-800-656-HOPEResources also available in Spanish/en Espanol – rainn.org/esAs the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, RAINN created and operates theNational Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assaultservice providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for theDepartment of Defense. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, helpvictims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.1in6.org The mission of 1 in 6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experienceslive healthier, happier lives. A 24/7 Helpline Chat is offered through their website. Theyalso support family members, friends, partners and service providers by sharing informationand support resources online.

www.avp.org 24/7 English-Spanish hotline: (212) 714-1141AVP offers a 24-7 English-Spanish national hotline for LGBTQ survivors of violence. AVP empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communitiesand allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education and supportssurvivors through counseling and advocacy.www.api-gbv.orgThe Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence is a national resource center ondomestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence inAsian/Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. We envision a world free ofgender-based violence for communities with equal opportunities for all to thrive.https://www.glbthotline.org1-888-843-4564Free and confidential national hotline. Volunteers are trained to respond to sexual assaultsas well as general concerns.https://ujimacommunity.org1-844-778-5462The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, also known asUjima, serves as a national, culturally specific services issue resource center to providesupport to and be a voice for the Black Community in response to domestic, sexual andcommunity violence.

The Rape Recovery Handbook: Step-By-Step Help for Survivors of Sexual Assault (2003)by Aphrodite MatsakisRecovering from Rape (1994) by Linda LedrayThe Sexual Healing Journey:A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse (2012) by WendyMaltzA Beautiful World (2009) by Gregg MilliganFather’s Touch (2010) by Donald D’HaeneIt Happened to Me: Teens Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse (2002) by William LeeCarterHow Long Does It Hurt: A Guide to Recovering from Incest and Sexual Abuse forTeenagers, Their Friends, and Their Families (2014) by Cynthia Mather & Kristina Debye Speak (2011) and Shout (2019) by Laurie Halse AndersonCourage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (2008) by EllenBassHush (2007) by Nicole Braddock BromleyThe Courage to Heal Workbook: For Women and Men Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse(1990) by Laura DavisQueering Sexual Violence - Radical Voices from Within the Anti-Violence Movement(2016) by Jennifer Patterson Written on the Body: Letters from Trans and Non-Binary Survivors of Sexual Assault andDomestic Violence (2018) edited by Lexie BeanBelieve Me: How Trusting Women Can Change the World by Jessica Valenti & JaclynFriedmanFalse Report: A True Story of Rape in America by T. Christian Miller & Ken ArmstrongI Never Called It Rape by Robin Warshaw Know My Name by Chanel MillerNot That Bad: Dispatches from Rape Culture edited by Roxane Gay We Believe You: Survivors of Campus Sexual Assault Speak Out by Annie E. Clark &Andrea L. PinoVoices of Courage: Inspiration from Survivors of Sexual Assault (2005) by MichaelDomitrzYes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and A World Without Rape by JessicaValenti & Jaclyn FriedmanSuggested Readings

My Thoughts

No longer ashamedNo longer afraidI was never to blame