We spent a lot of time thinking about sexual assault and sexual harassment. We’ve consulted hundreds of survivors, DEI consultants, rape advocates, lawyers, and communities, workplaces, institutions.
Data for Everyone
Resources for Communities/Workplaces
Prevention
What to Say/Consider in Responding to Sexual Assault/Harassment, Survivor Perspectives
Accountability for Harm-Doers
Additional Reading
An Epidemic of Disbelief. Research and an explanation of why police officers fail to catch serial rapists, and how police departments fail survivors.
The Right to Sex - a balanced view on thinking & talking about sex in our modern era. Recommending reading for those want to look beyond sexual violence and further into the social forces that influence sexuality in the modern era.
An Unbelievable Story of Rape - Pulitzer prize winner. Should be required reading to help overcome rape myths.
Sexual Justice - “A pathbreaking work for the next stage of the #MeToo movement, showing how we can address sexual harms with fairness to both victims and the accused, and exposing the sexism that shapes today's contentious debates about due process” - a great book on the limitations of the law in dealing with sexual violence, and why it is important for institutions and communities to do more to prevent and mitigate. An understanding of the legal issues around sexual violence will help, but are not necessary.
Disgrace - A global history of sexual violence.
Citadels of Pride - A philosophical look at sexual violence, one that “…shows how sexual abuse and harassment derive from using people as things to one’s own benefit”
But He Does Good Work (thoughts on sexual assault/gender-based violence in tech)
Resources for Survivors
Know that:
It is not your fault. Nothing you did, said, worn, your “intuition” or read on people, nothing justifies assault/abuse. The perpetrator committed violence, and they bear responsibility for causing harm to you.
It’s okay to feel what you are feeling. You might (or not) go through many emotions: anxiety, anger, rage, sadness, exhaustion, numbness, panic, overwhelm…
Self care can help you in healing.
There are a number of resources available to survivors to facilitate healing. These include:
Our founder published a short self-care guide.
RAINN is one of the most established non-profits working against sexual violence. They provide a number of services, including a 24/7 hotline. The number for the hotline is: 1-800-656-4673.
The National Sexual Violence Resource Centerhas state specific lists of resources. California’s list is here. As you can see, many of the non-profits listed are aimed at helping particular ethnicities.
California was the first state to pass Marsy’s Law. As part of that law, victims are provided with Marsy’s card, which notifies victims of their rights and provides a list of resources.
California also has a victim’s compensation fund. Through this fund, a victim may qualify for services such as compensation for mental health services. The DA’s office in the city where the assault/abuse took place will be able to tell you if you qualify, and to help with qualifying. A police report will be helpful, but is not necessary.
Sexual assault advocates can be very helpful. You can find one through Women Against Rape (Bay area chapter, SF chapter). If you’re a university/college student, your campus is likely to have an advocacy program.
For student survivors, the non-profit Callisto allows you to file a report, and they’ll match you with other victims of the same predator.
In the last few years, many mental health experts have advocated for survivor circles. These might help, but we would urge caution if you seek one, as people who haven’t dealt with their trauma can be triggering.
Male survivors offers resources and message board to connect with other male survivors.
We’re also putting together a directory of therapists and lawyers, and would like to connect survivors based on their needs.
The number and breadth of options might feel overwhelming to a traumatized survivor going through a list of them. Please contact us if you’re a survivor looking for guidance, as we’ve advocated for and helped dozens of victims.