SafeVoice

A protective order prohibits the abuser from contacting you, coming near you, or entering your home. Emergency protective orders can often be issued the same day.

• File at your local courthouse — many have a self-help desk. No attorney required in most states.
• Violating a protective order is a criminal offense — the abuser can be arrested immediately.
• Available for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and harassment.
• Canada: "Peace bonds" (Criminal Code s. 810) and civil restraining orders are available in all provinces.
• México: Las órdenes de protección se pueden obtener ante el Ministerio Público o un juez familiar.

Reporting to police is entirely your choice. A trained victim advocate can help you weigh the options — they are free and can accompany you to any police interaction.

• You can have a SANE (forensic) exam done without filing a police report — preserving the option for later.
• Statutes of limitations vary by state, province, and offense — contact a legal aid org to know your timeline.
• If your report isn't taken seriously, a victim advocacy organization can help you escalate.
• Canada: Sexual assault centres can accompany you to police and court — find yours at casac.ca.
• México: Puedes denunciar ante el Ministerio Público (MP). Algunos estados tienen fiscalías especializadas en delitos sexuales.

You can sue an abuser for damages independently of any criminal case. Civil suits have a lower standard of proof and can proceed even if criminal charges were dropped.

• Damages can include medical costs, therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Many attorneys handling sexual assault civil cases work on contingency — no upfront cost.
• Canada: Civil claims can be filed in provincial courts. Many provinces have extended limitation periods for childhood abuse claims.

Sexual harassment and assault at work may trigger EEOC protections under Title VII. File at no cost at eeoc.gov.

• You must generally file within 180 or 300 days of the incident (varies by state).
• Retaliation for reporting harassment is also illegal under Title VII.
• Canada: Workplace harassment protections exist under provincial human rights codes and the federal Canada Labour Code. File with your provincial Human Rights Commission.
• México: La Ley Federal del Trabajo prohíbe el acoso laboral y sexual. Puedes presentar una queja ante la STPS o la CNDH.

If the incident occurred at a school receiving federal funding, Title IX provides protections and requires a formal complaint process.

• Contact your school's Title IX coordinator — they are required to respond and provide support measures.
• File directly with the Dept. of Education at ed.gov/ocr.
• RAINN Title IX guide: rainn.org/title-ix
• Canada: Contact your institution's sexual violence policy office. File with your provincial human rights commission if the school fails to respond adequately.

Government programs can help pay for medical care, therapy, lost wages, and other expenses resulting from a crime — a conviction is not required in most cases.

• National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards — find your state's program
• You typically need to report the crime to police, but exceptions exist for sexual assault and domestic violence survivors.
• Canada: Each province has a Criminal Injuries Compensation Board. Search "[your province] criminal injuries compensation."
• México: La Comisión Ejecutiva de Atención a Víctimas (CEAV) administra el Fondo de Ayuda, Asistencia y Reparación Integral.

• legalaid.org — find free legal aid in your area (US)
• lawhelp.org — free legal information and referrals by state (US)
• womenslaw.org — legal information for abuse survivors with free online chat (US)
• vawa.gov — Violence Against Women Act resources (US)
• legalaid.on.ca — Legal Aid Ontario (other provinces have similar programs)
• casac.ca — Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres; legal accompaniment and advocacy
• México: Consulta el Bufete Jurídico Gratuito de tu universidad local o la Procuraduría de Protección de la Familia en tu estado.

Sometimes the most accessible support is a community of people who truly understand. These spaces are moderated and survivor-centered.

• After Silence — online message board and support community for sexual assault survivors; moderated and private
• RAINN Online Support Groups — free, moderated, anonymous groups for survivors
• r/survivorsofabuse on Reddit — peer support community for all forms of abuse (270k+ members)
• r/domesticviolence on Reddit — support and resources for DV survivors
• r/rape on Reddit — peer support for survivors of sexual assault; strictly moderated
• r/CPTSD on Reddit — community for complex PTSD, which often results from prolonged abuse
• 7 Cups — free online chat with trained volunteers, 24/7; also has community forums for trauma
• Local rape crisis centers and DV shelters often offer free in-person and virtual survivor groups — search "[your city] rape crisis center support group"

Social media can be a powerful way to feel less alone and find community. A few survivor and trauma communities worth knowing:

• #MeToo — millions of survivors sharing their stories across platforms; can be validating and community-building
• #SurvivorTwitter / #SurvivorX — active community of survivors on X/Twitter sharing resources and solidarity
• #TraumaRecovery and #HealingFromTrauma on Instagram — follow therapists, advocates, and survivors sharing coping strategies
• TikTok accounts worth following: @traumarecovery, @drjenniferfreyd (betrayal trauma), @nedratawwab (boundaries and abuse recovery)
• Instagram accounts: @themighty (mental health stories), @survivorsalliance, @rainn
• Facebook Groups: "Sexual Assault Survivors Support Group" (private, moderated), "Domestic Violence Survivors Support" — search and request to join

Listening to others' experiences and expert guidance can be deeply healing — on your own time, at your own pace.

• We Can Do Hard Things (Glennon Doyle) — conversations on trauma, resilience, and reclaiming your life
• Unlocking Us (Brené Brown) — shame, vulnerability, and courageous healing
• Therapy Chat (Laura Reagan, LCSW-C) — trauma therapy concepts explained accessibly
• The Trauma Therapist Podcast — interviews with leading trauma specialists; practical and validating
• Healing Trauma Podcast (Monique Koven) — somatic and body-based approaches to trauma recovery
• Sobrevivir al Trauma — recursos en español para sobrevivientes de trauma (busca en Spotify y Apple Podcasts)

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk — the landmark book on trauma and the body; essential reading
• Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman — foundational text on recovery from violence and abuse
• Healing Sex: A Mind-Body Approach to Healing Sexual Trauma by Staci Haines — practical and compassionate
• I Never Called It Rape by Robin Warshaw — survivor experiences and recovery paths
• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Tawwab — accessible guide to creating safety in relationships after abuse
• Why Does He Do That? by Lundy Bancroft — for survivors of emotional and physical abuse by partners
• (En español) Mujeres que corren con los lobos de Clarissa Pinkola Estés — sanar el alma femenina; psicología arquetípica del trauma

• Insight Timer (free) — thousands of meditations including trauma-specific programs by therapists
• Calm — sleep, breathwork, and anxiety programs; trauma-sensitive meditations available
• Sanvello (free tier) — CBT-based tools for anxiety, depression, and trauma; guided mood tracking
• EMDR Coach — guided EMDR exercises for self-use between therapy sessions
• Woebot (free) — AI-assisted CBT check-ins; low-pressure mental health support anytime
• iRest — yoga nidra meditation specifically developed for PTSD recovery (used by VA hospitals)

Trauma is stored in the body as much as in the mind. Body-centered practices can complement talk therapy and support nervous system recovery.

• Trauma-sensitive yoga — search "trauma-sensitive yoga [your city]" or find online classes via traumasensitiveyoga.com
• Somatic experiencing — a body-based therapy that helps release stored trauma; find practitioners at traumahealing.org
• Mindfulness and breathwork — apps like Insight Timer and Calm have trauma-specific programs
• Movement and dance — any movement done with intention can support nervous system regulation; even short walks count

Look specifically for counselors who specialize in trauma, PTSD, or sexual assault recovery. Trauma-informed care makes a significant difference.

• Psychology Today therapist finder — filter by specialization, insurance, and cost
• Ask for a provider trained in EMDR, CPT, or somatic therapy — evidence-based approaches for trauma recovery
• Many therapists offer sliding-scale fees based on income — always ask
• Open Path Collective — affordable sessions ($30–$80); many trauma-informed, LGBTQ+-affirming therapists
• Therapy Den — easy filtering for LGBTQ+-affirming, BIPOC, and trauma-specialized therapists
• Canada: BetterHelp and Talkspace offer online therapy across Canada. Provincial health plans may cover therapy — check your benefits.
• México: Pregunta en tu IMSS o ISSSTE por psicólogos — tienen servicios de salud mental. UNAM CAPSI ofrece atención psicológica de bajo costo.

• Listen without judgment. Believe them. Don't ask "why didn't you leave?" or "are you sure?"
• Follow their lead. Ask what they need rather than deciding for them.
• Don't pressure them to report — this is their decision and their timeline.
• Remember to care for yourself too — supporting a survivor can be emotionally demanding. Secondary trauma is real.
• RAINN guide for friends and family: rainn.org/articles/help-friend