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Survivor Stories:
Surviving the Family Breach
What to do if you or someone you know is assaulted:
- Get to a safe place. Call 911 if necessary.
- Call to speak with a law enforcement officer. It is never too late to report a sexual assault.
- Go to the hospital. You may have serious injuries that you are not aware of, and you can receive medication to prevent pregnancy or STD’s.
- Do not bathe, douche, brush your teeth, use the restroom, or change your clothes before going to the hospital. You may destroy important evidence.
- Try to have a support person with you, such as a friend, relative, or sexual assault advocate when you go to the hospital. They can help you remember important information you will receive.
Remember – It is never the survivor’s fault!
Did you know:
- Rape and sexual assault happen to females and males of all ages, from infancy through the senior years.
- Rape is an act of violence, power and control over another person, it is NOT about sex.
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
- A survivor is not at fault for the rape, even if she/he was drunk, doing drugs, in a dangerous area, or had previous consensual sex with the attacker. It is ALWAYS
the offender’s fault.
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Sexual Assault Response Network (SARN)
SARN advocates are available to assist survivors at the hospital and with law enforcement immediately following an assault and can help connect a survivor to the resources at HelpLine and in our community.
SARN offers:
- A free, 24-hour information, referral and
crisis line at 1.800.684.2324
- Individual support at hospitals and law
enforcement agencies.
- Survivors of sexual assault workshops.
- One-on-one crisis intervention and counseling.
- Healing workshops for survivors & their
support people.
- Annual retreats led by survivors.
- Sexual assault prevention and education
- Trauma informed therapeutic counseling
services.
Even if the assault happened years ago, the SARN program at HelpLine can still help. Unfortunately, many survivors do not think they need help until months or years after the assault. Remember, it’s never too late to get help.
SARN Volunteer Training new!
HelpLine will offer training for interested SARN advocates on the following dates: January 23, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 31st. For location information, contact Shilo Gall at sgall@helplinedelmor.org or
740-363-1835.
Counseling for Surivors
Survivors of sexual assault can experience a wide
variety of normal reactions to a traumatic event. These reactions can include:
- Self-blame
- Sleeplessness
- Change in appetite
- Anger
- Hopelessness
- Easily startled
- Afraid
- Worthlessness
- Nightmares
- Crying
Without proper care and attention, traumatic events can lead to an increased likelihood of developing
substance abuse and/or addiction; anxiety and/or
depression and interfere with daily levels of functioning. At HelpLine, we offer survivor-centered trauma services including therapeutic counseling.
Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV)
The work of OAESV is to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of survivors and co-survivors of sexual violence.
Find out how you can get involved by visiting www.oaesv.org
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