Sexual Violence
WHAT TO DO & HOW TO SUPPORT
Sexual violence, assault, and gender violence occurs all around us, and more often than you think.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact our REACH Center 24 hour helpline at 518.943.4482. You are not alone.
Learn the facts
Supports for Sexual Violence
Sexual Violence happens. It happens in every community​ and to anyone — any age, race, gender, or sexual orientation.
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Our REACH Center helpline is here to support, 24/7.
We're here for you
Safety & Supports
REACH Center 24 Hour Support Helpline
(518) 943-4482
Call our REACH Center helpline anytime, 24 hours a day. Trained staff provide crisis counseling and support services.
Learn the facts
What to do if it happens to you
If you’re a victim of sexual violence, it’s hard to know how to react. You may be physically hurt and emotionally drained. It’s hard to know what to do next, where to go, or who you can trust.
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Learning what steps you can take following sexual violence can help find your footing in a difficult time.
Ensure Your Own Safety
After the experience of sexual trauma, the first and most important thing to do is ensure your own safety and wellbeing.
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The immediate aftermath of an assault leaves most people in shock, derealization, and a sense of being overwhelmed. Seek what coping mechanisms help you in the face of major stressors — calling your closest friend, trusted family, getting in bed under blankets — whatever helps you feel safer.
Reach Out For Support
Once you feel more physically safe, it is important to connect with a person you trust for support. After shock, sexual trauma survivors often experience depression, anxiety, and dissociation.
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Our REACH and Child Advocacy Center are here to help process your emotions and provide guidance on the steps to take.
Consider Your Medical Options
Many survivors may be reluctant to pursue medical attention following a sexual assault. Choosing to go to the hospital or a medical rape center can be beneficial for a number of reasons.
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Most importantly, health care practitioners can treat bodily injury and help ensure your sexual and physical health. Additionally, they can provide you with a rape kit — a forensic exam to collect DNA and other evidence.
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Making the decision to seek medical attention can be scary. Our REACH & Child Advocacy Centers provide support for this process.
Process Your Experience
Being a victim of sexual assault is a traumatic experience, one that makes addressing or processing the incident something that many desire to simply avoid or pretend that it didn’t happen.
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Healing doesn’t happen through avoidance. You can’t go around it, only through it. There are many ways for healthy coping habits as well as trauma therapy. The anxiety and guilt can even make you wonder, “Was it my fault?” or "Was it actually consensual?”.
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Our REACH and Child Advocacy Centers can provide support in seeking therapy and coping mechanisms.
Consider Your Legal Options
Some survivors want justice and are adamant they want to file a police report or prosecute the assailant. For many others, it may not be an easy decision — they may be reluctant to report the assault and may be confused as to what they should do next.
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70-80% of sexual assaults and rapes are committed by someone the victim knows — such as a friend, acquaintance, intimate partner, or family member. For children and adolescents, the likelihood is 90%+.
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As such, survivors feel additional shame, fear, and anxiety over what others may think, or feel fearful of victim shaming/blaming.
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Assault is someone taking away your power. For a survivor, empowering may be filing a report or telling their story.
Reconnect Yourself & Your Life
It can be difficult to feel like yourself after sexual assault. You can feel violated and powerless, with a number of mental health concerns that can make it challenging to live your life the same.
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Until you process your trauma and learn how to actively cope, it may be hard to go back to that yoga class or attend a party with a group of friends. Never push yourself too far to be social when you’re not ready. Recovery is a process and healing takes time.
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If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, please contact our REACH Center 24 hour helpline: (518) 943-4482
How you can help
Supporting Others
It’s not always easy to know what to say when someone tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted, especially if they’re a friend or family member.
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There is no “normal” or “right” way to react when you find out that someone you care about has survived an act of sexual violence — however, how you respond matters. Your words can help reduce shame, fear and isolation, even if you don’t know what to say at first.
There are many ways you can help a friend or family member who has been affected, and it may be just as simple as being there for them.
Talking points
What to Say
I believe you.
Sounds simple, right?
Now imagine that it’s your sister telling you that your father did something, or your boyfriend. You love and trust them and can’t imagine they would do such a thing.
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The act is something that may be difficult to comprehend at first, and your initial reaction may be denial. The best thing you can do is to believe them.
It took a lot of courage to tell me.
It can be extremely difficult for survivors to come forward and share their story. They may feel ashamed, concerned about what others may think, believe, or that they may be blamed. It takes courage — recognize their strength.
It’s not your fault.
Survivors may blame themselves, especially if they know the perpetrator personally. Remind the survivor that they are not to blame and they didn’t do anything to deserve this. They may even need to hear this more than once.
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Sexual assault is always the responsibility of the person who caused harm — no matter what someone was wearing, doing, drinking, or who the person was.
You’re not alone.
Let the survivor know that you are there for them and willing to listen to their story if they are comfortable sharing it. Assess if there are people in their life they are comfortable going to, and reassure that support is available. They don’t have to go through this by themselves.
I care about you, and I’m here.
You don’t need the perfect words. Being present, listening, and offering consistent support can make a real difference.
Beyond words
How to Help
How you respond goes beyond what you say — your actions or assertions can also make an important impact on the survivor.
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Listen without interrupting or pressing for details
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Let them share at their own pace. Silence is okay.​
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Let them make their own choices​
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Avoid pushing them to report, seek medical care, or “move on”. Control was taken from them — giving it back matters.​
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Ask what they need right now​
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Something as simple like, “What would feel most helpful for you?"
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Offer resources, not ultimatums​
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You can share information about support services, but respect their decision if they’re not ready.
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Check in later​
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Support doesn’t end after the first conversation. A text, call, or follow-up shows you still care.​
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