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W W W R C C S A V O R G 24 Hour Crisis Line 912 233 7273 Coping Book I N F O R M A T I O N F O R S U R V I V O R S F A M I L Y F R I E N D S T H E I R

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 the lives 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 specific issues of concern that are sometimes difficult to discuss As you are working through your healing process you may find it helpful to talk about your experience and your feelings We encourage you to call the 24 hour Crisis Line at 912 233 7273 any time to talk with an advocate You may also set up an appointment for an individual counseling session or join a support group by contacting our office at 912 233 3000 We care about you and want to help Sincerely The RCC Staff Volunteers c 2021 Rape Crisis Center of the Coastal Empire All rights reserved

Table of Contents Rape Crisis Center Advocacy Services 4 Myths and Facts About Sexual Assault 5 Feelings and Reactions 6 Why Me 7 What Stages Will I Go Through 8 Support for Male Survivors 9 Support for LGBTQ Survivors 10 What about Self Protection 11 Counseling 11 Medical and Evidence Collection Exams 12 The Legal Process 14 Financial Concerns 17 A Message to Family and Friends 17 Community Services 18 National Resources 20 Suggested Readings 22

Our Mission To provide resources and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and prevention education to youth and adults Advocacy Services 24 7 Crisis Advocacy Response 24 7 Crisis Line Support Law enforcement accompaniment Judicial accompaniment Individual counseling for survivors and or their families Support Group Sexual Assault Response Team Your RCC Advocate can act as a liaison with the following SANE Nurse forensic evidence collection Law Enforcement Detective investigative process Assistant District Attorney ADA prosecutorial process Victim Compensation Other community partners If you have questions about your process an advocate is available from 8 a m to 5 p m by calling the RCC office at 912 233 3000 24 7 Crisis Line 912 233 7273 www rccsav org

Myths and Facts The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent 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 sexual assault it is normal to have many fears and anxieties about what happened why it happened and how it happened Knowing the facts about sexual assault may enable you to deal with your concerns more effectively MYTH Most sexual assaults are committed by strangers FACT This myth persists because it is hard to believe that someone you know and trust could assault you In truth most sexual assaults are committed by someone the survivor knows The perpetrator of the assault is usually a friend acquaintance or family member MYTH Myth People that have been sexually assaulted will be hysterical and crying FACT In reality people who have been sexually assaulted do not always look injured or appear upset People react differently to the trauma of a sexual assault Most survivors are not physically injured Even children who are sexually abused for many years may not show any visible signs 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 that even those who resist their attacker can be assaulted When faced with a gun or knife or the threat of injury most people freeze What s more many sexual assaults that do not involve weapons involve some type of trickery If an assailant was to threaten a family member or loved one for example most people would consent to save the lives of those they love Regardless of what the situation is or how you react to it remember that sexual assault is not your fault 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 the majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by men women can also be perpetrators Within the LGBTQ community transgender people and bisexual women face the most alarming rates of sexual violence

Feelings and Reactions I can t believe this happened to me I feel like I m going crazy Will I ever feel safe again If you find yourself making statements like these you are not alone Other survivors of sexual assault have similar feelings The trauma you have experienced may affect your feelings about yourself your relationships with others and your physical and mental health for many months or in some cases 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 his or 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 sexual assault 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 own pace Whatever you are experiencing will lessen in intensity as time passes and you will begin to feel more in control again Making your own decisions regardless of how minor can be a helpful part of the healing process You are the best judge of what is right for you It is important to regain a sense of your own personal power During this time remember that you did nothing to provoke the attack You are not responsible for the actions of the assailant nor are you responsible for the reactions of friends relatives or others who may or may not support you You may never completely forget the assault however you can learn to live with it as part of your past It is important to understand that you can put the experience in a manageable light and go on with your life becoming confident and self reliant again Why Me Wondering why this happened to you is not unusual You were not assaulted because of anything you did or said You did not deserve it and you did not ask for it The act of sexual assault is the fault of assailant Sexual assault is an act of violence it is a way to humiliate 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 is responsible for the crime not you Whether you left the door unlocked or walked down a dimly street at night the assailant is still the one to blame Whether you fought back unsuccessfully or were too terrified to make a sound is also beside the point The assailant is at fault not you Trying to figure out why this happened is natural However you may never find that answer The most important thing is that you survived You can cope recover and heal fact Sexual Assault is Never the Fault of the Survivor

What Stages Will I Go Through After a sexual assault the stages you will experience are similar to those you might experience when grieving such as loss fear anger guilt and depression However there is no particular order to the stages that you will experience You may walk through one stage and then seemingly out of nowhere some of the same feelings may resurface Your reactions 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 your feelings about the assault Having someone who can listen without judgment can provide a welcome release The Rape Crisis Center offers support groups where you can discuss your experience with others who have experienced the same type of trauma Being involved in a support group may help you feel less alone The Rape Crisis Center also offers individual counseling fact there is no timeline for healing It is never too late to reach out for help There are people who want to help and know what to do for you at all stages

Support for Male Survivors Many people believe that sexual assault is solely a women s issue therefore the shock of the assault you have experienced may be very upsetting and difficult to accept The truth is that sexual assault is committed against both men and women In fact statistics show that one in every 4 men experience sexual violence in their lifetimes CDC 2021 One out of every 10 rape victims is male RAINN org If you are a male survivor you may feel alone but remember you have done nothing that justifies this violent attack and the assault has nothing to do with your present or future sexual orientation You may experience some of the same emotions and feelings that female survivors have In addition 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 Crisis Center offers supportive services for you and all victims of sexual assault regardless of gender National ResourceS 1in6 org The mission of 1 in 6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live healthier happier lives A 24 7 Helpline Chat is offered through their website They also support family members friends partners and service providers by sharing information and support resources online

Support for Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender Survivors We recognize that survivors who are lesbian gay bisexual or transgender may face additional challenges after a sexual assault You may experience fear or concern about coming forward for help and or reporting the assault due to the possibility of discrimination We know this is a valid concern and while we can t assure you about every aspect of your experience we will be there with you every step 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 working with 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 org First City Pride Center is an inclusive advocacy social and service organization actively working to meet the needs for safety empowerment education and wellbeing of Greater Savannah s LGBTQIA community National Resources Anti Violence Project 24 7 English Spanish hotline 212 714 1141 https avp org AVP offers a 24 7 English Spanish national hotline for LGBTQ survivors of violence AVP also empowers lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer and HIV affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender LGBT National Hotline 1 888 843 4564 https www glbthotline org Free and confidential national hotline Volunteers are trained to respond to sexual assault calls as well as general concerns

What About Self protection Feeling an increased concern for your personal safety is a normal reaction after being attacked Many rapists threaten to return to harm the survivor again Although very few ever do this the threat is very frightening You may find you have heightened senses in situations similar to the assault and want to take additional precautions in these settings If you 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 you already possess the most effective weapons your hands feet and knees Consider taking a self defense course it may help you rebuild your sense of security The RCC offers free selfdefense courses several times a year Counseling Counseling can be an important part of the healing process for all survivors of sexual assault Even if your sexual assault occurred many years ago you might want to consider counseling 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 a counselor who has prior experience working with survivors of sexual assault The counselor should 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 Crisis Center for counseling even if only for one or two visits It is tremendously important that you have the chance to vent and sort out your feelings and emotions in a supportive environment Most people who use the counseling service at the Rape Crisis Center feel that it is a rewarding experience that helps ease the recovery process Friends and family members of sexual assault survivors might find that they need counseling too The Rape Crisis Center also offers crisis intervention for friends and family members In addition the Rape Crisis Center provides crisis intervention and support groups for survivors of rape and sexual assault Even if you see a therapist on a regular basis for other issues you might want to call the Rape Crisis Center to help you deal with the sexual assault All of our services are free of charge

Medical and Evidence Collection Exams Note During the COVID 19 pandemic SANE exams may be conducted at the RCC office to reduce possible exposure to COVID 19 and to free up space at the local hospitals for COVID patients The most common medical concerns following a sexual assault are physical injuries sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy Treatment should be sought as soon as possible 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 to be seen for a SANE exam at our office This exam is only needed if you think you want to report the assault even anonymously You will have time to decide if you want to pursue a legal case but if you think you might you should get evidence collected If you go to the emergency room The hospital is legally obligated to notify the police of every sexual assault However this does not mean that you have to file a crime report If you decide to report the assault to law 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 the hospital emergency room If so you should be taken directly to a private exam room The nursing staff may take some general information such as your physical condition to make sure you do not need immediate care The hospital or the police will notify the Rape Crisis Center that you are in the emergency room A Victim Advocate from the RCC will come immediately to give support and answer your questions Do not hesitate to ask about anything The advocate will be there with you while you talk to the police and throughout the entire hospital interview process Advocates are part of the RCC not law enforcement or the legal process Their only focus is to support you The hospital staff may request your insurance information and you may be billed for the emergency room care There is a fund to help compensate you for this The RCC Advocate can 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 from seeking medical attention and reporting the crime

What happens in an evidence collection exam The physical exam will be completed either by an emergency room doctor or a Sexual Assault 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 Health Department or Planned Parenthood three weeks following the assault for additional tests for pregnancy and or sexually transmitted diseases The follow up exam is important to your health and should be kept even if you do not report the assault to law enforcement If you have any questions regarding follow up care please do not hesitate to call the Rape Crisis Center Local Resources STD Clinic https www gachd org programs services std hiv services Planned Parenthood 912 351 0116 fact Forensic Evidence Exams can be completed up to 120 hours after the assault

The Legal Process As a survivor of sexual assault it is your choice whether or not to report the assault to the police and whether or not to prosecute the assailant The legal system exists to protect you and to ensure that justice is served Because the legal system can be confusing and frightening the Rape Crisis Center has a Victim Advocate who will help you through the court system The Victim Advocate is not an attorney but is available to provide you with information and support every step of the way The Victim Advocate works closely with the District Attorney s office to ensure that you 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 Police Interview Even if you do not want to prosecute the assailant it is important to tell the police all of the details of the assault The information you provide may help the police determine a repeat rapist s pattern which may help them capture a rapist or target a high risk area for increased patrols While you are being interviewed think about every question you are asked Answer only those questions which you understand and to which you have clear answers Ask the police to explain anything you do not understand You have the right to read over everything in the police record You may even write your own version to be added to the police report if you are not satisfied with the police version Investigation During the course of the police investigation you may be asked to look at any pictures of possible suspects or to look at evidence If a suspect is detained you may be asked to identify the assailant in a lineup The Criminal Justice System and Felony Cases The crimes of rape attempted rape child molestation and incest are classified as felony infractions under Georgia law A felony is a serious crime usually punishable by a prison sentence of more than a year Most sexual assault cases involve the following steps through the criminal justice system Warrant and Arrest A warrant is a document that gives police the authority to arrest the accused A judge must issue a warrant The accused will be arraigned within 72 hours of the arrest meaning that bond will be set and a preliminary hearing date will be scheduled If the accused is able to pay the bond bail they will be released from jail

Preliminary Hearing 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 The judge will listen to the testimony of the witnesses to decide if there is probable cause for the case to get bound over or go to a higher court If the judge finds that probable cause exists a misdemeanor offense will be sent to State Court and a felony offense will be sent to Superior Court In the State of Georgia sexual assaults are prosecuted as felonies Grand Jury 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 the preliminary hearing depending on the county in which the case is being prosecuted In the Grand Jury Hearing 23 Grand Jurors hear testimony from any witnesses who are subpoenaed by the Assistant District Attorney to decide if there is enough evidence to indict or formally charge the defendant The hearing is conducted in private and neither the defendant nor their attorney is present during the proceedings Calendar Call If the Grand Jury indicts or brings formal charges against the defendant the next step is the calendar call At this hearing the defendant and their attorney appear before the judge and indicate whether they plan to plead guilty or to ask for a jury trial No witnesses are subpoenaed to this hearing Plea If the defendant chooses to plead guilty a plea hearing is held The judge may sentence the defendant at this hearing or at a later date If the defendant pleads not guilty the next step will be a pre trial conference Witnesses will not be subpoenaed to the plea hearing Pre Trial Conference If the defendant pleads not guilty and requests a jury trial a pre trial conference is usually the final hearing before the trial At the pre trial conference the two attorneys appear before the judge and decide any legal questions and a tentative trial date is set Jury Trial In a jury trial a jury of 12 citizens will listen to testimony and determine whether to find the defendant 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 guilty beyond a reasonable doubt The judge may sentence immediately after conviction or order a pre sentencing investigation or PSI

You Are a Witness As a victim of a crime you are legally considered a witness for the State You do not need to 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 have once 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 your Rape Crisis Center Advocate so that you know when your presence is needed in court Be sure to contact the District Attorney s Office and your Advocate if you change your address or phone number Survivor may be required to be present and testify in these proceedings To learn more Chatham County Victim Witness Assistance Program https districtattorney chathamcountyga gov Division VictimWitness The Victim Witness Assistance Program is a free resource that offers assistance to anyone who has been victimized by or has witnessed a crime This program provides a variety of services to crime victims witnesses and their families including case information court orientation and preparation referrals to community agencies and assistance with applying for 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 the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800 656 HOPE in partnership with more than 1 000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence help victims and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice Justice can mean different things to different people and reporting a crime to law enforcement is an individual decision Many who have decided to report to law enforcement have described it as the first step in seeking justice for the crime by holding the perpetrator accountable for their actions It may not be an easy decision to make but it s a choice that may have a positive impact on your recovery

Financial Concerns As a survivor of a violent crime you may need medical or psychological care Georgia has a Crime Victims Compensation Program to assist you with crime related expenses if the assault is reported to the police The program can help compensate you financially for services such as medical expenses and counseling Under certain circumstances the program can also compensate for lost wages The claim may be made even if your problems do not begin immediately following the sexual assault The Crime Victims Compensation Program does not compensate for pain and suffering or personal property stolen during the crime Be sure to keep copies of all bills receipts and cancelled checks related to your postassault expenses You will also need a copy of the initial police report to complete your documentation for the claim Contact the Rape Crisis Center if you have any questions about your eligibility or for more information about how to file a claim Your Victim Advocate 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 been assaulted is to listen to them when they are ready to talk and believe what they say Be patient as it will take time for survivor to sort out their feelings Reassure them that their feelings are normal responses to a traumatic event and that in sharing those feelings they are taking steps toward working them out Communicate that they are not to blame for being sexually assaulted They need to know that you realize it was not their fault Sexual assault can happen to anyone regardless of age income appearance or physical strength Survivors may blame themselves or have regrets about what they did or didn t do Your role may be to help them see the event more 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 regain control is by making decisions about events that affect their life such as reporting the assault moving or changing jobs To help them regain a sense of their own personal power 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 family members 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 all vulnerable regardless of how much caution we may take The only one to blame is the assailant Try not to overreact by becoming overly protective of the survivor as this will reinforce their view of themselves as powerless If you are feeling the need to seek revenge against the person who did this you are not alone Anger is a natural reaction to what has happened but extreme rage toward the assailant may frighten survivor and cause them to worry about your safety Seeking out a third person to whom you can express your anger may be beneficial to all The Rape Crisis Center provides free confidential counseling to those close to a survivor If your relationship with the survivor includes being a sexual partner you may expect some temporary disruption in the previous patterns of your sexual activity Reactions to sexual assault vary tremendously depending on the individual and that person s particular style of recovery Survivors may feel anxious about how their partners will respond to them and about how they will respond to their partners Be careful not to put pressure on your partner 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 openly and continue to heal Your support will go a long way toward their recovery Community Services Bryan County Bryan County Sheriff Pembroke Richmond Hill Police Tri County Protective Agency Domestic Violence Chatham County Candler Hospital Emergency Room Chatham County Police Coastal Children s Advocacy Center District Attorney s Office Lifeline for Children Contact is through the Department of Family and Children s Services Memorial Medical Center Emergency Room Press 3 for Emergency Room 912 653 3800 912 756 3712 912 368 9200 912 819 6000 912 652 6500 912 236 1401 912 652 7308 912 644 7789 912 350 8000

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

Long County Long County Sheriff Ludowici Police Department Long County Health Department Tri County Protective Agency Domestic Violence 912 545 2118 912 545 9472 912 545 2107 912 368 9200 Tattnall County Tattnall County Sheriff Glennville Police Reidsville Police Tattnall County Health Department Tri County Protective Agency Domestic Violence 912 557 6777 912 654 2103 912 557 8800 855 473 4374 912 368 9200 National Organizations Resources Information about Sexual Violence Centers for Disease Control CDC https www cdc gov violenceprevention sexualviolence RAINN Rape Abuse Incest National Network www rain org National Sexual Assault Hotline 1 800 656 HOPE Resources also available in Spanish en Espanol rainn org es As the nation s largest anti sexual violence organization RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1 000 local sexual assault service providers across the country and operates the DoD Safe Helpline for the Department of Defense RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence help victims and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice 1 in 6 1in6 org The mission of 1 in 6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live healthier happier lives A 24 7 Helpline Chat is offered through their website They also support family members friends partners and service providers by sharing information and support resources online

Anti Violence Project AVP www avp org 24 7 English Spanish hotline 212 714 1141 AVP offers a 24 7 English Spanish national hotline for LGBTQ survivors of violence AVP empowers lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer and HIV affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence www api gbv org The Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence is a national resource center on domestic violence sexual violence trafficking and other forms of gender based violence in Asian Asian American and Pacific Islander AAPI communities We envision a world free of gender based violence for communities with equal opportunities for all to thrive Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender LGBT National Hotline https www glbthotline org 1 888 843 4564 Free and confidential national hotline Volunteers are trained to respond to sexual assaults as well as general concerns Ujima The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community https ujimacommunity org 1 844 778 5462 The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community also known as Ujima serves as a national culturally specific services issue resource center to provide support to and be a voice for the Black Community in response to domestic sexual and community violence

Suggested Readings The Rape Recovery Handbook Step By Step Help for Survivors of Sexual Assault 2003 by Aphrodite Matsakis Recovering from Rape 1994 by Linda Ledray The Sexual Healing Journey A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse 2012 by Wendy Maltz Books for Male Incest Survivors A Beautiful World 2009 by Gregg Milligan Father s Touch 2010 by Donald D Haene Books for Teens It Happened to Me Teens Guide to Overcoming Sexual Abuse 2002 by William Lee Carter How Long Does It Hurt A Guide to Recovering from Incest and Sexual Abuse for Teenagers Their Friends and Their Families 2014 by Cynthia Mather Kristina Debye Speak 2011 and Shout 2019 by Laurie Halse Anderson Books for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Courage to Heal A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse 2008 by Ellen Bass Hush 2007 by Nicole Braddock Bromley The Courage to Heal Workbook For Women and Men Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse 1990 by Laura Davis Books for LGBTQ Survivors Queering 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 and Domestic Violence 2018 edited by Lexie Bean Additional Resources Believe Me How Trusting Women Can Change the World by Jessica Valenti Jaclyn Friedman False Report A True Story of Rape in America by T Christian Miller Ken Armstrong I Never Called It Rape by Robin Warshaw Know My Name by Chanel Miller Not 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 Pino Voices of Courage Inspiration from Survivors of Sexual Assault 2005 by Michael Domitrz Yes Means Yes Visions of Female Sexual Power and A World Without Rape by Jessica Valenti Jaclyn Friedman

My Thoughts

No longer ashamed No longer afraid I was never to blame I am a survivor 24 Hour Crisis Line 912 233 7273