How to take care of yourself when exposed to sexual violence in media and online

Here are some timely resources for sexual violence survivors and the people who love them.

RAINN is an important non-profit organization that has been advocating for the rights and dignity of sexual violence victims for a long time. They put out a statement on the Cosby verdict today, and some great advice for people who have survived sexual violence, and their loved ones. Because days like today are tough.

RAINN [The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network] is America's largest anti-sexual violence org, and they help survivors via the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.4673) and the Safe Helpline. Spanish-language resources are here.

Those of us who have survived sexual violence can become deeply affected when we're exposed to a lot of content about that issue. That's what's happening right now. We're seeing a lot of coverage of sexual assaults involving political and entertainment figures this week. Much of this amplifies what victims are told: we lie, we make it up, it's our fault, and besides if it happened it wasn't that bad anyway.

It's difficult.

Here are ways to get through it safely, in the form of a Twitter thread from RAINN.
[Or if you prefer, here's the Threader App version.]

You can support RAINN's work by donating here.