Reach out to friends, family, or help centers to create a system of emotional support for the coming steps.

Text, call, or meet up in person with trusted friends and family members one on one to ask for emotional support during your search for justice.

If you don’t feel comfortable sharing what happened to you with any friends or family members, know that RAINN and other advocates are available and ready to hear you out, confidentially.

RAINN is the national sexual assault hotline. The mission of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) is to carry out programs to prevent sexual violence, help victims, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. It is 100% free, confidential, and trusted by many.

Reaching out to RAINN can look like:

A phone call to 1-800-656-4673

Online chat via their website, RAINN.org

Know that the person you are speaking to is an advocate. They are here for you, ready to listen and help, free of judgment or prejudice.

RAINN, mentioned in the previous step, should be able to help you find a local help center in which you can go in person to share what happened to you and seek help.

Reaching out to a local help center is how you can gain access to free, confidential counseling via an advocate.

Again, know that the person you are speaking to is an advocate. They 

are here for you, ready to listen and help, free of judgment or prejudice.