We Believe You. We Are Here for you. It is Not Your Fault.
There is no wrong way to heal after a sexual assault. You have options after experiencing sexual assault. You can choose to report or not report to law enforcement, whether to receive medical care, and what support services you seek out. You are the one who gets to choose what is best for you, even if that is no action at all.
You may also benefit from learning about trauma responses and common experiences after a sexual assault. Our Find Help page is a good place to start, which includes a directory of organizations (to find resources by state, use our State Directory.) For those outside of the United States, the No More Directory has a list of country-specific help.
NSVRC has a number of resources in our online collection that can provide helpful information about the process of healing from sexual violence.
Many survivors find connecting with support services in their community to be important in their healing journey after sexual assault. For help and support, contact your local rape crisis center. They provide free resources, support, and help for survivors. Local centers also have trained advocates that provide free and confidential services and can assist survivors and their family. If they are unable to assist with your needs, they may be able to suggest other resources in the community that can help. You can find your nearest rape crisis center in the RALIANCE Directory of Rape Crisis Centers.
Other helpful resources:
Remember, there is no wrong way to heal after a sexual assault. You do not have to go to law enforcement if you don’t feel comfortable. If you are considering reporting to law enforcement, RAINN has provided a list of useful information which may help you decide. Nonetheless, these suggestions are options you have, not things you must do. You are the one who gets to choose what is best for you, even if that is no action at all.
Just remember: sexual assault or harassment is never your fault, no matter what.