April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual trauma is extremely prevalent and can have long lasting effects on mental health, with survivors often struggling with anxiety, depression, dissociation, or PTSD. Unfortunately, this can then be exacerbated by stigma, blame, a lack of support, or retraumatization by the legal system.

But thankfully, there’s a myriad of organizations out there dedicated to supporting survivors, and we wanted to share some of those resources with you. Here’s a short list to get you started:

• https://rainn.org/ — 24/7 crisis support and hotline for survivors seeking immediate help
• https://napiesv.org — Culturally specific advocacy and resources for AAPI survivors
• https://1in6.org/ — Specialized support for male survivors of sexual violence
• https://luminaalliance.org/lgbtqia-survivors/ — LGBTQ+-affirming services for survivors seeking inclusive care and support
• https://www.ywca.org/ — Support services for women, including crisis intervention and community programs
• https://takebackthenight.org/ — Survivor empowerment through community events and awareness initiatives
• https://enoughabuse.org/ — Prevention-focused resources, especially for protecting children from abuse
• https://www.d2l.org/ — Education and prevention efforts aimed at ending child sexual abuse

At WAVES, we believe survivors and recognize the layered impact of sexual trauma on individuals and communities. We hope this month—and every month—you take the time to reflect on that, too. And to those navigating the aftermath of an assault, we want you to know that healing IS possible, and we’re committed to creating a safer, more compassionate world that better reflects that.