The Rape Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like rape (sexual assault), you are never alone.  Countless men, women, and children have faced exactly the same diagnosis and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.  

TSC has scoured the Web to assemble links to the very best rape and sexual assault/violence resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional and other challenges that you're facing now.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this rape and sexual assault victims' guide even more helpful to survivors like you. 
  

JUST FOUND OUT

Survivors Say: Best Resources for Rape

• RAINN: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
• MedlinePlus: Rape
• Womenshealth.gov: Sexual Assault FAQ
• MaleSurvivor.org

The Big Picture

Rape happens when a person has sex that he or she didn't agree to. This includes intercourse in the vagina, anus, or mouth. Sometimes it happens when one person forces another to have sex. The Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network (RAINN), reports that 16 percent of all women will be raped during their lifetime, and just over 3 percent of men will be raped during their lifetime.

Signs and Symptoms

• RAINN: Types of Sexual Assault
• FamilyDoctor.org: What To Do If You've Been Raped

Understanding Your Case of Rape/Sexual Assault

Many victims don't tell anyone because they feel it was their fault, or are too embarrassed, ashamed, or afraid to report it. It cannot be stressed enough that rape is never the victim’s fault. Talk to someone at a rape crisis center or hotline; your doctor; a loved one; and/or a mental health professional to find help right away:

• RAINN National Sexual Assault Online Hotline
• National Center for PTSD: Common Reactions After Trauma
• UCLA Medical Center: What to Do If You're Raped
  

Your World

Feelings of anger, depression, fear, embarrassment, shame, sadness, and denial are very common reactions to being sexually assaulted. Or you may feel numb, disconnected from your body, or shocked and confused by what happened. All of these are normal reactions. Be sure to reach out to find ways to cope right now:

• RAINN: Search for a Local Crisis Center 
• Dailystrength.org: Rape Support Group

Rape Myths

• University of Minnesota, Duluth: Rape Myths
• MaleSurvivor.org: Male Sexual Victimization Myths & Facts
  

• "Rape is a sex crime."
• "Some women are just asking for it."
• "There's a 'right' way to respond to sexual assault."
• "Men can't be raped."
  

Information and Recommended Links for Survivors

• RAINN: Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
• U.S. Department of Justce: Office for Victims of Crime -- Sexual Assault and Rape
• D.C. Rape Crisis Center 
• RapeIs.org
• MaleSurvivor.org

Types of Treatment

Medical Treatment

You should see a doctor as soon as possible after a rape or sexual assault. All victims need to be checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and genital or other physical damage. Women and older girls/teens will be checked for pregnancy as well:

• Merck Manual: Medical Examination of a Rape Victim
• 911 Rape: Getting a Medical Examination
• RAINN: Sexually Transmitted Infections
• RAINN: Pregnancy
• Womenshealth.gov: FAQ Date Rape Drugs

Psychotherapy

The aftermath of a sexual assault, or ongoing sexual abuse, is usually extraordinarily difficult. Most people benefit from working with a mental health professional who specializes in rape or sexual abuse. The treatment you receive may include medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs:

• RAINN: Search for a Local Crisis Center
• PsychologyToday.com: Find a Therapist

Creating a Support Circle

• Set up your TSC survivor profile.
• Join support groups of other survivors or start your own.
• Interact and provide updates on your progress.

Books Survivors Recommend

• The Rape Recovery Handbook: Step-By-Step Help for Survivors of Sexual Assault by Aphrodite Matsakis
• The Truth About Rape by Teresa M. Lauer
• After Silence: Rape & My Journey Back by Nancy Venable Raine

What Survivors Wish They’d Known

Communicating with Your Health-care Providers

• Be completely honest with your physicians; it will help ensure you receive the best treatment possible for your case.
• Let your doctor know if you are experiencing any new physical or emotional symptoms.
• Do not hesitate to ask your doctors questions if you don’t understand something or would like to know more.
• Keep contact information for those in your support circle, including health-care providers, readily available.

Dealing with Rape: Information for Co-Survivors

How You Can Help

• Get connected with other co-survivors.
• Share your own struggles and how you got through them.
• Help out by offering your survivor information about reliable resources you've heard about or researched to help in their recovery.

What to Say    

• "This is not your fault."
• "This is more common than you might think."
• "I'm here to help."

What Not to Say

• "This is what happens when you go out late at night dressed like that."
• "Are you sure you didn't lead him on?"
• "You'll get over it."

Things You Can Do for a Survivor Every Day

• Be available when your loved one needs you.
• Inquire about their emotional and physical recovery.
• Be a good listener.

Remember that many thousands of women, children, and men have recovered from sexual assault. Rape does change your life, but it won't prevent you from leading a full, healthy life. You are now on the road to recovery! Here's how to keep going and also how to avoid another incident of abuse or assault:

• SafeHorizon.org: After Sexual Assault - A Recovery Guide for Survivors (PDF)
• MedlinePlus: Rape and Recovery
• HealthyPlace.com: Sex Community - Regaining Your Sexuality After Rape
• Survivors & Friends (support for victims of sexual abuse)

Pursuing prosecution of your attacker may be an important part of your healing process:

• Victim Rights Law Center: Criminal Justice Concerns for Sexual Assault Victims
• U.S. Department of Justice: National Institute of Justice - Rape and Sexual Violence

Prevention:

• RAINN: Ways to reduce your risk of sexual assault
• American Psychological Association: Protecting Children From Sexual Abuse
• Centers for Disease Control: Sexual Violence Prevention
  

Sometimes it helps to hear inspiring stories from others who've been where you are and have made it through:

HealthyPlace.com:  Rape Survivor Stories

Sometimes, the tragedy of rape or sexual abuse is made even worse by the loss of life, leaving families and those who loved the victim in deep mourning and grief. These resources may be useful during this difficult time:

• Journey of Hearts: Dealing with a Sudden, Accidental or Traumatic Death
• Compassionate Friends (loss of a child)
• Beyond Indigo: Sudden and Violent Death
• Violent Death Bereavement Society