I THRIVE
Find Your Local Rape Crisis Center
AMERICAN CRISIS CENTERS
*RAINN Local Rape Crisis Center Search: https://centers.rainn.org/
Simply enter your zip code into the search engine on the site.
*NSVRC Sexual Violence Coalitions for each state: http://www.nsvrc.org/organizations
INTERNATIONAL CRISIS CENTERS
*International Rape Crisis Centers & Associated Links: https://ibiblio.org/rcip/internl.html
"A scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived."
"I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. But you and I, we must make an agreement to defy them. We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.”
Chris Cleave, Little Bee
“Sad words are just another beauty. A sad story means, this storyteller is alive. The next thing you know something fine will happen to her, something marvelous, and then she will turn around and smile.”
Rape Crisis Lines
Find Your Local Rape Crisis Center
NSVRC Sexual Violence Coalitions for each U.S. state: http://www.nsvrc.org/organizations
International Crisis Centers and Hotlines:
http://www.ibiblio.org/rcip//internl.html
Global Directory of Abuse Lines:
http://www.hotpeachpages.net/a/countries.html
Rape Crisis Centers by Country and State:
http://pandys.org/forums/index.php?/forum/42-public-resources/
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network:
RAINN: 1-800-656-HOPE
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is operated by RAINN 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
*RAINN Online Chat:
Español: rainn.org/es
*Comprehensive RAINN Contact Information: https://www.rainn.org/contact-us
*RAINN Local Rape Crisis Center Search: https://centers.rainn.org/
Simply enter your zip code into the search engine on the site.
Suicide Prevention Hotlines:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
*Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
*National Suicide Prevention Chat: http://chat.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/GetHelp/LifelineChat.aspx
Additional Resources:
https://www.womenshealth.gov/violence-against-women/
Lists a comprehensive list of resources for violence against women.
https://www.usa.gov/report-crime#item-35572
Lists resources for reporting sexual violence.
I THRIVE
Defining Rape Trauma Syndrome
The definitions provided below are intended for information purposes only. They are not intended to replace medical advice from a physician. If you suspect you may have one of the conditions described below or for any questions regarding these or other mental health diagnoses, please seek the care of a licensed health care professional.
Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is the psychological trauma experienced by a rape victim that includes disruptions to normal physical, emotional, psychological, and interpersonal behavior.
Physical symptoms of RTS may include: shock, changes of appetite and sleep, physical pain complaints (headaches, nausea/vomiting, gynecologic issues), etc.
Emotional symptoms of RTS may include: difficulty to control crying, isolation vs fear of being alone, difficulty concentrating, drop in work or school performance, relationship issues, etc
Psychological symptoms of RTS may include: feeling out of control of your life, self-blame and guilt, hopelessness, increased fear and anxiety, emotional numbness, nightmares, depression, suicidality, anger, feeling dirty, memory disturbance, depression, etc.
Symptoms of Rape Trauma Syndrome are normal after sustaining a trauma as extreme as a sexual assault, however if symptoms persist, they can take a significant toll on a survivor's life. If symptoms persist greater than one month, Rape Trauma Syndrome may progress to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
