You are not alone
No one deserves to be abused or assaulted. No matter what you have been told, what happened to you isn’t your fault. Whether this experience happened recently or in the past, you can call a rape crisis center or a domestic violence program to get the support that you need. Trained advocates are there to help you, offer support, connect you with resources, and respect your decisions.
Sexual Violence
Sexual violence or sexual assault is any type of unwanted sexual attention, contact, or activity. It can range from cat-calls and harassment to sexual exploitation and coercion. Sexual violence violates a person’s trust, autonomy, and feeling of safety. Most sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone known to the victim and not a stranger. Regardless of the relationship, sexual violence is never a victim’s fault. Click on learn more to read about the impact of sexual violence and how to support survivors.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence includes a wide range of behaviors where one person is exerting power and control over a spouse, partner, girl/boyfriend, teen, and/or an adult family member. The violence may cause injury, but domestic violence is not always physical. Click on learn more to read more about some of the common warning signs that your relationship may be abusive and what you can do to support someone experiencing abuse.
Stalking
Stalking is generally defined as any unwanted contact that communicates a threat or places the victim in fear. In most cases, the stalker isn’t a stranger. The stalker may be a current or former intimate partner, a friend, customer, coworker, or an acquaintance. Stalking is a crime. Click learn more to find out about protections for victims.
Cultural and Community-Specific Resources
Although anyone can be a victim of violence and abuse, we know that the experience of survivors can greatly differ. Additional factors like systemic racism, homophobia, transphobia, and immigration status can greatly exacerbate the trauma for survivors. Click learn more for information on how to support survivors including women of color, immigrants, young people and those in the LBGTIQ community.
Additional Resources
There are other resources and protections in place to assist survivors as they move towards independence and healing. Click here to learn more about using technology safely, how to obtain a confidential address, additional legal protections as well as health care resources.
Get Involved
At JDI we believe that everyone regardless of their life circumstances can make a difference. Find out how you can take the first step today.
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