Sections:
These are some of the things that you might be feeling or experiencing: depressed, angry or afraid for your safety - afraid you'll see the person who assaulted you; anxious; isolated; overwhelmed; problems concentrating; nightmares or sleeping problems (not able to sleep, or sleeping a lot); changes in eating habits (overeating or no appetite); you don't want to be around anyone, including your friends and family; you may think no one will care or understand; you may think you're going crazy
These are totally normal reactions to have when something terrible has happened to you. And you can get help to deal with it.
1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys is sexually assaulted by age 16. That means that there are lots of people who are going through the same thing you are. And there are lots of people who have been where you are and understand. And there are people who can help you.
You may be acting differently, getting into trouble, trying to find a way to cope with the pain and confusion that you're feeling. A lot of your behaviors may change when something traumatic happens. A lot of kids try to escape from their pain by drinking, taking drugs, having many sexual relationships, or anxiety and fear about sexual relationships. Some kids hide out from everyone, cry all the time, become afraid of men, feel alone, or avoid any kind of social event.
If you're feeling like you can't take the pain, if you're hurting or cutting yourself, or if you're thinking about suicide: Stop for a minute. Suicide & the impulse to hurt yourself are intense feelings that usually last for only a short time only. Find someone to talk to about how you're feeling and talk through your pain. This helps most people feel better.
Call a friend or someone you can trust.
Talk to your parents or a relative who you trust
Talk to a trusted adult - your teacher, school counselor, doctor, a friend's parent.
Call our 24-Hour Resource Line 1.888.99.VOICE. The advocates are experts, and your call is always confidential.
Call the Teen Link Crisis Line at 1.866.Teen.Link to talk to another teen, anonymously and confidentially.
The education program entitled Especially for Parents is designed to assist parents with the impact of their child's sexual assault. This 5 session model gives parents the confidence to deal with the emotional, behavioral and physical effects of sexual abuse.
We provide information and support to victims of sexual assault who are involved in the legal process. Navigating the legal proceedings can often be lengthy and confusing. Our advocates are not lawyers, they are counselors who are knowledgeable of the legal system as it relates to sexual assault cases.
Every hour of the day, there is someone available. Our Resource Line Advocate Counselors help thousands of people. Confidential crisis intervention, information and referral, medical advocacy, and general advocacy is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This vital resource is for anyone needing support or information regarding sexual assault.
Individual therapy is provided to adults who have experienced the trauma of sexual assault in adulthood. The therapy provided is trauma specific, but can be related to a recent sexual assault or one that may have occurred years previous.
KCSARC works in cooperation with Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress to provide forensic medical evaluations to children. Generally, medical evaluations are performed as requested by police, prosecutors or parents based on the type of abuse that is has occurred. Please schedule an appointment by contacting Kim or Keri at 425-226-5062.
Visit the KCSARC Publications page for an extensive list of resources