Helping a Victim of Sexual Assault

You can help someone who’s been sexually assaulted by believing her or him. Show your support by listening and offering comfort. Go with her or him to the police, the hospital, or to counseling. Reinforce the message that she or he is not at fault, and that it is natural to feel angry and ashamed. Help find a support group that can help her or him sort through the emotional trauma caused by the assault.

For additional information on sexual assault, contact the following resources:

Division of Violence Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/dvp.htm

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center
1-877-739-3895

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
1-800-656-HOPE

National Center for Victims of Crime
http://www.ncvc.org/

National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE or 1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
http://www.ndvh.org/

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape
125 N. Enola Drive
Enola, PA 17025
1-888-772-PCAR
717-728-9740
717-728-9781 (Fax)
http://www.pcar.org

Stop It NOW! (child sexual abuse)
413-268-3096
413-268-3098
http://www.stopitnow.com