What You Can Do

There are many ways for survivors to heal from sexual assault. For some survivors, part of the healing process involves:

• getting involved in efforts to support other survivors,
• raising awareness about sexual violence,
• working towards preventing sexual violence, and
• getting involved to change laws and policies about the crimes of sexual violence and the treatment of survivors.

Every survivor should consider the impact that such work can have on their own healing process. Only you can judge if you are ready to get involved, but we encourage you to work with someone you trust, like a rape crisis counselor or a trusted friend, to help determine when you may be ready to get involved and what activities would be the best fit for you. If you need to find your local rape crisis center, you can search this directory. We also encourage you to review our resources for survivors.

When You Are Ready

There are many ways you can use your experience with sexual violence to help others. These are just a few to consider:

• Share your story. The decision to speak publicly is a personal one. There are survivors who choose to speak publicly to share their story – as a guest speaker, as part of a panel, or are interviewed for news stories.  For some survivors this has been a part of their healing journey. There are others who choose to keep the details of their experience and lives private. Both are equally valid decisions and the right one for you is the one you choose. While most requests for public speaking will be well-intentioned, survivors should always know they have a right to say no for any reason or none at all.  Reach out to your local rape crisis center. They may have their own speaker’s bureau (a list of survivors willing to share their experiences with others) and most importantly you can connect with an advocate who can provide support through the process.  The resources below offer guidance to those who are thinking about sharing their story publicly: 
  

  	Speaking out from Within: Speaking Publicly About Sexual Assault
  	My Story, My Terms: A Workbook for Survivors
  	Your Voice, Your Choice: A Survivor Media Guide

• Become an advocate for survivors. Use what you’ve learned from your experience to help others having a similar experience. Although every survivor’s path is unique, your own first-hand knowledge can help you to better relate to the unique experiences of other survivors. The best way to become an advocate is to reach out to your local rape crisis center and inquire about volunteer opportunities. Volunteer advocates usually answer telephone calls from survivors and may also provide support to survivors during forensic exams or court proceedings.
• Become an activist. The services and support available to survivors today exist because of decades of activism. There is no one way to become an activist for social changes that end sexual violence, but many people begin their activism by finding like-minded people in their community and working together to raise awareness about sexual violence and advocate for change through organizing art projects, performances, marches, or speaking to lawmakers. V-Day, Denim Day, Take Back the Night, and Sexual Assault Awareness Month are good examples of community events where many activists get their start. Contact your local rape crisis center to see how you can get involved in your local community.