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If you have been sexually assaulted, be sure to go immediately to your local hospital or police department. If you are unable to get to a hospital, call the police, your community sexual assault center, or your community's 24-hour crisis line.
Sexual assault is a serious crime. Compassionate support is available and such crimes must be reported to the police.
BASIC INFORMATION
"For Informational Use Only"
For more detailed information contact your health care provider
about options that may be available for your specific situation.
DESCRIPTION
The physical and emotional after-effects of rape and the threat of being killed, resulting from either a completed or attempted sexual assault is called Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS).
The term rape refers to forcible sexual penetration of any bodily orifice (vaginally, anally, or orally), sexual intercourse, or forced cunnilingus, involving violation of an unwilling partner's body and psychological person. Rape involves varying degrees of physical and psychological trauma. The assault is accomplished by the use of force, the threat of force, or without force when the survivor is unable to physically or mentally give her or his consent. Rape destroys the feeling of control a person has over one's body, life and the course of events that occur in their lives. It is an experience of violation, humiliation, and degradation and will often leave the survivors with intense feelings of vulnerability.
In most cases the rapist is a man and the victim is a woman. Rape is not about sex. Rape is about control and dominance over another person. Rape can happen to anyone... a woman, a child, a man.
There is not one just one type of rape. The survivor's perception of the experience is affected by many variables. It is important to realize that even if the situations of the rape are similar, people are individuals and each person will respond differently to similar situations. Although generalizations are useful and sometimes helpful in learning about the phenomenon of rape and the impact on survivors, it is important to understand that there are always different reactions than those that have been generalized.
Rape is an extremely complex occurrence. There are personal, social, political, spiritual, legal and clinical implications to consider. The psychological well-being of the survivor must be discussed, as well as, the larger societal constructs that allow rape to continue.
FREQUENT SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Not all the reactions encompassed by RTS are experienced by each survivor, but instead, represent a range of possible reactions. The following is only a rough guideline. The experience of RTS is not a linear process, that is, the survivor may experience many of the symptoms from all phases at any given time. Time frames are not included for the phases as RTS reactions vary from individual to individual. Some survivors recover fairly quickly, others may suffer for longer periods of time.
IMMEDIATE IMPACT REACTIONS FOLLOWING RAPE:
- Shock and/or disbelief. "Why me?" or "Did this really happen"?
- Emotional reactions are typically one of two styles:
1. Controlled: relates details of assault in a flat voice, without showing emotion (calm, composed, lack of affect). No outward emotional signs include the appearance of hidden feelings, as if the survivor may express feeling "numb".
2. Expressed: Visibly upset, fear, anger, crying, anxiety, or unusual behavior such as laughter.
(Please note that the survivor who appears unemotional is not necessarily handling the assault more effectively than the survivor who is emotionally expressive.)
PHYSICAL REACTIONS
- Localized pain from physical injuries such as cuts, bruises or other injuries, including vaginal and rectal tears.
- Shock - symptoms may include inability to concentrate, blood pressure changes, rapid pulse, facial pallor, etc.
- Sleeping disturbances, nightmares, sleep disorders such as insomnia.
- Eating pattern disturbances such as loss of appetite. Nausea, vomiting.
EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS
- Multiple fears including fear of being alone, fear of retaliation, of meeting the attacker, of community stigma, of having been threatened with death, mutilation, injury.
- Heightened anxiety levels, difficulty concentrating or focusing.
- Feelings of helplessness, vulnerability, loss of control.
- Fear of men, of sexual intimacy or touch, disrupted sexual functioning, loss of libido.
- Survivor may make comments on force used during assault or may focus on sexual act.
- Repression, denial. The survivor may express denial through minimizing the assault (e.g., assault results in slight or no physical injury: "He didn't really hurt me."). No expression of anger.
- Feelings of self-blame, shame, humiliation, degradation and guilt. Feeling dirty or unclean. Desire to shower/bathe frequently and to "scrub" off the "unclean memories" of the rape. Anger, revenge fantasies, retaliation, may feel guilty about feeling angry.
- Depression and withdrawal, even from family and friends ranging from moderate to severe. Mood swings; feelings of grief, may have angry outbursts. Loss of self esteem, altered self-concept. Feelings of falling apart or going crazy.
MEDICAL ISSUES
- Concern about physical injury and recovery.
- Concern about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS.
- Concern about pregnancy resulting from rape. If the survivor is already pregnant, she may have concerns about the welfare and survival of her fetus and worries about miscarriage.
THOUGHT DISTURBANCES
- Attempts to block memories.
- How to undo what happened "if only I had..." (Excessive rumination).
- Thoughts of assault often occur daily (may be intrusive and cause great anxiety).
OUTWARD ADJUSTMENT/AVOIDANCE PHASE
Survivors in this phase often preoccupy themselves with a variety of activities in an attempt to avoid thoughts and/or feelings associated with the trauma. As she attempts to repress her feelings about the trauma and re-establish her former routine, the survivor may appear to others that she is coping well and on the road to recovery. Avoidance and repression of anything associated with the assault is a common and understandable coping mechanism. Survivors simply want to forget the horror of their experience and return to some semblance of a normal life. Unfortunately, repression and avoidance cultivate long-term, negative effects - she may bury her feelings, but they are buried alive. It is critical that the survivor process, on her own terms, what happened to her and the feelings connected with her trauma. Processing the trauma will help restore personal power. Avoidance behaviors may include:
- Avoidance of discussions about the trauma.
- Repression of angry feelings.
- Excessive preoccupation with activities (e.g., keeping busy, working long hours) in an attempt to avoid thinking about the rape/assault.
- Views assault as "something in the past" and "have to get on with life and forget about "it".
- Avoidance of people and places that serve as reminders of the assault.
Additional problems associated with this phase may also include:
- Ongoing feelings of depression.
- Social withdrawal.
- Nightmares, flashbacks.
- Loss of self-esteem.
- Ongoing fears.
- Lack of sexual desire.
- Violation of trust issues.
- Loss of privacy.
INTEGRATION & RESOLUTION STAGE
This stage begins with the survivor's desire to process the rape. She realizes that previous attempts to avoid and repress the trauma have been unsuccessful. She is overwhelmed by feelings of depression and anxiety and memories of the trauma can no longer be avoided.
- Survivor talks about the effect of the trauma on her life.
- Feelings about the trauma are processed and reconnected with survivor.
- Survivor gradually begins to regain sense of safety and control.
- Ability to trust is re-established.
- Survivor relinquishes guilt and blame is placed on assailant.
- Perceives self as normal.
- Expresses and resolves anger.
FACTORS AIDING RECOVERY
- Family/significant other support. A support system comprised of compassionate, patient and loving individuals can dramatically reduce the negative effects of the trauma.
- Positive self-esteem/personality type of survivor prior to assault.
- Support from community systems - police, medical, courts.
FACTORS DELAYING RECOVERY
- Prior sexual assault/abuse. Survivors who have experienced previous sexual trauma may have more difficulty in their recovery process (particularly if the previous trauma has not been resolved) as the trauma is compounded.
- Negative self-esteem.
- Poor social support.
- The presence of other significant problems/stresses in the life of the survivor, such as family, financial, or academic problems.
- Recurring problems - (alcoholism or other drug abuse).
- Style of attack - surprise attacks where physical violence is present may delay recovery.
If integration and resolution do not occur and the survivor continues to repress thoughts and feelings of the trauma, she may become at risk of developing a serious and often debilitating Anxiety Disorder known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER
(The following was provided courtesy of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America.)
Everyone looks backwards at times. Sometimes we recollect a happy memory because it makes us feel good. Other times, we recall something we didn't handle so well and wish we could have a second chance. Following a death or other personal trauma, we may brood and ask why. Eventually, we put the past aside and get on with our lives. But, for some people, moving forward is not so easy. Some individuals who survive a traumatic event are affected so strongly by the experience that they are unable to live a normal life.
When a traumatic experience begins to interfere with normal activities, a person may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. This disorder may follow an unusually distressing experience such as a sexual or physical assault, war, natural disaster, fire, sexual abuse, car or plane crash, traumatic death, or captivity. For some people, witnessing a violent or tragic event is sufficient to cause PTSD, which is part of a larger group of health problems known as anxiety disorders.
Post-trauma symptoms can range from unrelenting and intrusive memories of the traumatic event to amnesia of all or parts of the event. Individuals with PTSD may be unable to concentrate on routine tasks and often report feelings of 'going crazy.' In many cases, people who have witnessed or experienced a trauma recover without treatment - often in a matter of months. But other victims will develop and be troubled by PTSD for several months or years and will not get better unless treated by a professional.
WHO GETS PTSD?
Women tend to report symptoms of PTSD more often than men and it seems to be less common in the elderly. The disorder has been familiar to soldiers over the years as "shell shock" or "battle fatigue". It has been estimated that between 15 and 30 percent of the 3.5 million men and women who served in Vietnam have suffered from PTSD.
PTSD can affect anybody at any age and recent studies show it is far more common among children than previously believed. The disorder tends to be more severe if the trauma was unanticipated or occurred over an extended period of time. Many children who have suffered childhood sexual abuse will grow into adult hood experiencing ongoing Post-traumatic related symptomatology. Estimates of the disorder's frequency vary widely, but the best estimates say about 7-8 percent of the population will have a bout with PTSD.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PTSD?
PTSD has a wide variety of symptoms. The specific symptoms, their number, and their intensity will vary with each individual, so it is possible for two people with PTSD to be affected in vastly different ways. The symptoms are divided into three different categories and a diagnosis of PTSD will rarely be made unless an individual has at least one to three elements from each group. Symptoms must be recurring, distressing, and significantly interfere with social or occupational functioning for this disorder to exist.
Intrusive and unwanted memories:
- People with PTSD have frequent episodes in which they relive the traumatic event. This experience can manifest itself as a nightmare, a flashback, or simply a sudden flood of emotions or images related to the trauma. A person having a flashback may think that he or she is actually experiencing or seeing the traumatic event again. Sometimes flashbacks can be so severe that individuals unconsciously begin acting as they did at the time of the trauma. A war veteran, for example, may take cover as if under bombardment.
- Nightmares may be so intense that an individual will wake up screaming. They may be so terrifying that an individual may develop insomnia to avoid the dreams. Sudden memories of the distressing event, coming with or without warning, may be powerful enough to bring tears and physical distress such as sweating and/or rapid heartbeat.
Avoidance Behaviors:
- A second category of symptoms is characterized by an effort to avoid any situation or activity that might revive memories and subsequent distressing emotions related to the trauma. Consequently, trauma victims often shut down all emotions in order to avoid distressing trauma-related emotions. This numbing of emotions can cause a withdrawal from family and friends and can strain personal relationships by causing others to feel rejected or ignored. Avoidance behaviors may interfere with routine activities. An individual caught in a bank holdup, for example, may refuse to go to a bank. Someone with PTSD may become so wary and avoidant of certain situations that the thought of leaving their home becomes a frightening idea. Others with this disorder may avoid responsibility, lose interest in favorite activities, or feel hopeless about the future. Such responses can lead to poor work performance and cause family problems.
Arousal Symptoms:
- The third group includes symptoms of physiological arousal such as unprovoked anger, jumpiness, an extreme sense of being 'on guard," problems with concentration, and insomnia. Somebody who has been in a war situation may overreact to noises such as fireworks or a car backfire that are similar to the sounds of battle. Sometimes individuals with PTSD have panic attacks with such symptoms as chest pain, dizziness, rapid breathing, and the feeling they are dying or losing control.
WHEN DO SYMPTOMS APPEAR?
Symptoms typically appear within a few weeks of the trauma, but on rare occasions there can be a long gap between the triggering event and the beginning of PTSD. Some individuals may go months or years before having any PTSD symptoms. The diagnosis of PTSD may be difficult because the patient and the therapist may overlook a distant traumatic episode. Often, a patient has forgotten the incident or simply fails to tell the therapist about it in the belief that it is not important. It is essential that a person seeking help inform the therapist about any traumatic experience. This enables the therapist to consider whether that event may be related to the patient's difficulties. The potential PTSD patient may first be diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder if the post-traumatic symptoms occur within the first month after the trauma. If, however, the symptoms persist for more than one month and meet the criteria for PTSD, the diagnosis is changed from Acute Stress Disorder to PTSD.
RELATED PROBLEMS
It is not unusual for individuals to have more than one problem at the same time. Individuals with PTSD or other mental health problems frequently turn to drugs or alcohol for comfort. One recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health found that half of the drug or alcohol abusers in the United States have a mental illness. Sometimes, the problems associated with substance abuse mask the symptoms of PTSD. In other instances, the most significant symptoms also may be characteristic of ailments other than PTSD. Temper tantrums, tension headaches, and despair are common characteristics of many disorders. For example, an individual with PTSD may also suffer from depression serious enough to benefit from treatment. In fact, persons with PTSD are often additionally diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Once the PTSD has been successfully treated, the depression often remits.
GETTING HELP
Fortunately, PTSD can be treated effectively. Behavior therapy can play a useful role by helping modify the way patients act and by reducing avoidance behavior. Behavior therapy often is combined with cognitive therapy, which is intended to change underlying thought patterns. These approaches may be used in a group or individual setting. Medication can be a valuable complement to other treatment by relieving many of the most debilitating symptoms and enabling other therapy to go forward. It is particularly helpful in controlling anger, jumpiness, insomnia, nightmares, flashbacks and depression. Medication usually is required for several months, but in severe cases it may be needed for several years.
SUPPLEMENTAL THERAPY
Family therapy can help close relatives understand and cope with the illness. Through counseling, family members can learn that any apparent rejection by a relative with PTSD may be the result of the disorder. Family counseling can repair communications and help those close to the survivor learn appropriate and helpful responses in order to create an environment of support and healing for their loved one. Support groups of individuals who have experienced PTSD can show survivors that their reactions to trauma are shared by many. By discussing common experiences and emotions, groups of survivors can help each other rebuild confidence.
FINDING TREATMENT
A qualified psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or other mental health professional should be able to recognize and treat PTSD or make a referral to a specialist and/or a local support group.
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) publishes a list of therapists to help individuals locate specialists in their home area. Treatment of PTSD generally can be arranged on an outpatient basis. But some severe cases may require hospitalization or other intensive services, particularly if there are complications like suicidal depression or excessive use of drugs or alcohol.
CAUSES
Rape is extremely traumatizing. All rape survivors will suffer physical and psychological after-effects.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Any survivor of rape or attempted rape.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
There is no prevention for rape crisis syndrome.
The scope of rape prevention is complex and involves individuals, society and government.
EXPECTED OUTCOME
It takes most rape survivors a long time to feel like they are back in a normal existence, some never do, and some say that they are a completely changed person.
Length of recovery time may vary depending on the individual and previous life experiences. Recovery involves 3 stages: 1. Acute (dealing with the immediate physical and emotional effects).
2. Outward adjustment stage (may seem to be doing well, but may suppress feelings; sort of a limbo period).
3. Integration stage (facing the problems; resolution of the rape experience takes place).
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Sexually transmitted disease.
Emotional trauma that may last years.
Significant pelvic injury.
Pregnancy (rare).
TREATMENT
GENERAL MEASURES
Emergency medical assessment and care will be provided for your physical injuries.
A general physical examination and pelvic examination will be conducted according to specific medical guidelines. Vaginal and/or rectal swabs may be taken for laboratory analysis and testing. (It is very important that you do not bathe or shower before you are examined. You may wash away important evidence that may be used to apprehend and convict the rapist.) A report is normally made to local law enforcement personnel.
Ask for assistance from a Rape Crisis Center (or other similar agency). These organizations can provide immediate support and help you through the urgent medical, emotional, and legal necessities.
Medical personnel will discuss with you the risks of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B and other infections; what preventive measures are available; and what follow-up tests may be required. There may be a need for the consideration of immediate hormonal contraception (morning after pill) if risk of pregnancy exists.
AFTER EFFECTS CARE:
Arrange for counseling or psychological help. This is important for your emotional recovery. Don't just try to put the matter out of your mind and don't try to "go it alone". Suppressing your feelings can increase distress.
Keeping a journal or diary about your feelings, thoughts and reactions may be helpful. Talk over your feelings with trusted friends and family.
Prepare yourself as much as possible for legal proceedings that force you to relive the trauma, and may cause additional emotional stresses and upsets.
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT OF RAPE TRAUMA
RELAXATION
In addition to any therapy, the survivor should learn deep muscle relaxation or progressive relaxation. These techniques may help the survivor overcome anxiety attacks, help them fall asleep, decrease severity of crying outbursts and headaches.
RATIONAL-EMOTIVE THERAPY
Rational-emotive therapy may be used to overcome the feelings that the survivor will never get over this trauma, and the feeling that anybody around may attack her. Principles of RET may also be applied in assertion training.
GROUP THERAPY
The effects of group therapy are very beneficial for rape survivors. Many rape crisis centers are based on crisis theory and supportive psychotherapy groups. They rely on dissemination of information, active listening and emotional support. Group sharing of experience may affect survivors' numbness, isolation and fear of isolation. Cryer and Beutler (1980) found that most members of the group improved significantly in measures of fear and anxiety. Supportive psychotherapy may include not only exchange of feelings, perceptions and support, but also an educational phase. The survivors may be given the information concerning fear and anxiety. Members of the support group select topics they want to discuss. Often they would include fear, anxiety, reactions of family and friends, their own reaction to rape and to stimuli that remind them of the trauma. Group therapy may also be combined with art therapy. McKay (1989) describes how survivors of sexual assault managed to overcome their harmed feelings through face-panting, story telling, puppet making and autobiographical performance. Survivors in this group started to talk about generalized harassment and assault and came to recognize, relive and afterwards to ease some of the painful effects of their experience.
HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis is another option in finding ways to help survivors of sexual assault. Under hypnosis, survivors may find relief of fears, feeling of helplessness, anxiety and social isolation. (Ebert, 1988). Hutchinson (1986) suggests that feminist self-hypnosis group helped survivors to remove their false sense of guilt, and enabled them to understand the social context in which the assault occurred.
Hypnosis may also be used in fusion with family therapy. Somer (1990), for example, tried brief simultaneous hypnotherapy with a rape survivor and her husband. Hypnosis allowed the survivor to share her experience with her husband, who was otherwise too upset and enraged whenever the survivor wanted to share her rape-related feelings. The traumatic scene was reshaped under hypnosis and the result was rescuing behavior on the part of the husband and expression of anger toward the rapist. This technique helped the husband to deal in better ways with his anger and the survivor to decrease her feeling of abandonment.
FAMILY & COUPLE THERAPY
Family and/or couple therapy by itself is also an appropriate way to deal with rape survivors. since the reaction of significant others is often blaming the survivor, sometimes even rejection, the members of the survivor's family should participate in the therapy. Frequent responses by partners and parents are feelings of helplessness, anger, frustration and homicidal fantasies toward the rapist. For these reasons, it may be beneficial to participate in therapy in order to be able to reorganize and rectitude the family's integrity. In family/couple therapy, the family members may discuss cognitive and emotional components of their responses to the trauma. Feinauer and Hippolite (1987) used short metaphoric stories and symbolic rituals, in which each individual member and the family as whole could re-experience and decide how they would respond to the trauma.
EXISTENTIAL THERAPY
Later in therapy, principles of existential psychology may be applied to help the survivor to overcome her helplessness, feelings of loss of control, and to find meaning in life even with such traumatic experience. A survivor's numbness may be reduced through taking responsibility.
HUMANISTIC APPROACH
Across all possible therapies, a humanistic approach should be taken. The survivor needs understanding, acceptance and support from the therapist. The client-centered therapy would help the survivor to express herself, to consider different responses and choose the most appropriate one.
PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY
Psychodynamic therapy is not appropriate treatment for rape survivors, since the questions about childhood experiences would impose the blame on the survivor. The only exception may be a patient who experienced not only rape, but also some sexual assault in her childhood. In this case, psychodynamic therapy might help her; however, even with such patient, it should not be employed at the beginning of the therapy. Rather, after the victim has dealt to certain degree with the rape, the therapist may go back in her childhood to deal with the past experience. When talking about Freudian view point, sublimation used as defense mechanism against the trauma should be mentioned. Many rape victims give classes of self-defense for rape victims and other women, or volunteer in rape crisis centers. This is an example of sublimation, because helping others serves them to overcome their own anxiety and fear.
SUMMARY
Comparative studies have shown that there is no significant difference between assertion training, stress inoculation and supportive psychotherapy in terms of treatment outcome (Resick, 1988). Frank et al. (1988) who compared cognitive behavior therapy and systematic desensitization did not find any of them superior. So far, it may be concluded that any therapy is better than no treatment at all, and that prevention is better than the best therapy. Importantly, the survivor should seek help immediately after the assault.
MEDICATION
Antibiotics, if venereal infection is suspected or diagnosed.
Hormones to prevent pregnancy ("day-after-pill") may be recommended.
Sedatives or tranquilizers for a short time to reduce anxiety.
Tetanus prophylaxis may be recommended.
ACTIVITY
Resume your normal life as quickly as possible. Regaining control of your life is a major step to healing and recovery.
DIET
No special diet.
NOTIFY YOUR MIDWIFE OR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IF...
You, someone you know or a family member has been raped.
Emotional and/or physical problems worsen, or are not improved with treatment.
New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
HELPFUL LINKS
MASSACHUSETTS MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
99 Bishop Allen Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139
Business: (617) 492-8306
Hotline: (800) 841-8371
(617) 492-7273
(800) 223-5001 (Spanish)
TTY: (617) 492-6434
Fax: (617) 492-3291
The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center is an activist organization with a mission to provide free crisis counseling and advocacy services designed to empower, support and educate survivors of rape and sexual assault, their families, friends and the professionals who work with them. BARCC also provides violence prevention education to reduce the tolerance of sexual violence in our community and to increase understanding of the issues facing survivors.
Rape Crisis Center of Plymouth County 728 Brockton Ave.
Abington, MA
(508) 588-TALK (Hotline) (508) 588-8255
P.O. Box 4206
Brockton, MA 02303
Website: www.brockton.net/rape.htm
Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts
146 Boylston Drive
Worchester, MA 01606
Business: (508) 852-7600
275 Nichols Road
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Business: (978) 343-5683Hotline: 1(800) 870-5905 (English)
1(800) 223-5001 (Spanish)
Website: www.rapecrisiscenter.org
Since opening their doors in 1973, the mission of the Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts has been to provide quality and multi cultural services to those whose lives have been affected by sexual assault and to provide education geared to the prevention of violence. The Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts serves the geographic area of Central Massachusetts. Their offices are located in Worchester and Fitchburg. Counseling is also available at outreach sites throughout Central Massachusetts.
Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell, Inc.
144 Merrimack St., Suite 304
Lowell, MA 01852
Business: (978) 452-7721
Hotline: 1(800) 542-5212
TTY: (978) 452-8723
Fax: (978) 458-2822
Website: www.rcsgl.org
Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell, Inc. (RCSGL) is dedicated to the healing and empowerment of survivors of rape and sexual assault through counseling, advocacy and education. RCSGL is committed to creating an environment that is not racist, sexist, classist or homophobic, and where sexual violence and other forms of oppression are eradicated. RCSGL is committed to creating a community where individuals and society can break the silence that surrounds the issue of sexual assault. RCSGL's philosophy is reflected in our services for survivors, their families, and partners.
RCSGL can offer rape survivors and prisoners who have been raped the following services:
- Use of the 24 Hour Crisis Hotline (1-800-542-5212) to speak to a trained rape crisis counselor when needed
- Scheduled phone counseling with an RCSGL clinician, up to 12 sessions. (We must have a release to speak to a mental health professional inside the prison).
- Information and resources by mail.
RCSGL does not serve prisoners who have committed sex crimes, including rape, attempted rape, sexual abuse/assault, incest, child pornography or sexual harassment/stalking.
Wayside Trauma Intervention Services
10 Asylum Street
Milford, MA 01757
Business: (508) 478-6888 ext. 135
Hotline: (800) 511-5070 (English and Portuguese with Referrals for Spanish-speakers)
Wayside's mission is to provide a continuum of community based services that promotes the personal health, well being, and independent functioning of a diverse population of adolescents, families and victimized or under served people. Within Wayside's continuum of care, victims of sexual assault and their significant others have immediate access to a range of services within the Trauma Intervention Component. These include crisis intervention, counseling, group support, advocacy and referral to needed ancillary support services. When necessary and appropriate, victims of sexual assault may access any of Wayside's continuum of services including outpatient treatment, family and/or marital counseling, incest survivors groups, adolescent programs, substance abuse services, child witness services, pregnant teen services, etc. Services are provided in Portuguese, Spanish and ASL as well as English. As the largest area agency providing a range of culturally sensitive, multilingual services to victimized populations, including rape crisis/sexual trauma center services, domestic violence advocacy and counseling, homicide bereavement services, and child witness intervention services as well as the largest area provider of mental health and substance abuse treatment services, Wayside is able to offer a program defined by comprehensive, culturally consonant, coordinated care.
YWCA of Greater Lawrence
38 Lawrence Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Business: (978) 687-0331 ext. 52
Hotline: 1(877) 509-YWCA
TTY: (978) 686-8840
Website: http://www.ywcalawrence.org/programs/rape_crisis.asp
E-mail: eferland@ywcalawrence.org
The YWCA's Sexual Assault & Rape Crisis Program is based on a philosophy of empowerment. We recognize that sexual assault is never the survivor's "fault". Our counselors strive to assist survivors to regain a sense of control and power over their lives. The YWCA also offers community education to encourage support for survivors and to work toward ending sexual assault in our community. All services are free, available 24-hours-a-day and confidential.
YWCA of Western Massachusetts
P.O. Box 80632
Springfield, MA 01138
Business: (413) 733-1588
Hotline: (800) 796-8711 (TTY/V)
(413) 733-7100 (TTY/V)
Website: www.ywworks.org/arch.html
The YWCA of Western Massachusetts' Abuse and Rape Crisis Hotline (ARCH) has been providing services for battered women and their children in the greater Springfield area since 1978. ARCH operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and offers hotline as well as legal advocacy and referral services. In addition, ARCH provides counseling, support groups, community outreach and education services, all of which are free and confidential.
LEGAL SERVICES
Lambda Legal: National Headquarters
120 Wall street, Suite 1500
New York, NY 10005
(212) 809-8585
Website: www.lambdalegal.org
E-mail: legalhelpdesk@lambdalegal.org
Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work.
National Headquarters provides services for those who are located in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington D.C and accepts Legal Help Desk calls at any time during regular business hours (9 am-5 :30 pm) and also Monday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. If Help Desk staff are busy helping other callers, your call will be routed to the Legal Help Desk voicemail. Please leave the following information: name, state, contact info, best time to reach you, and a brief message outlining your legal inquiry. A Help Desk staff person will return your call.
It is usually most efficient for Help Desk callers to contact them by phone. If you are in a place where you are not able to make long distance calls, we can make an appointment to call you. If you are absolutely unable to call us, you may e-mail us at legalhelpdesk@lambdalegal.org or write to the addresses above.
Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services, Inc.
8 Winter Street, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 482-2773
(800) 882-1413 (MA Only)
Website: www.mcls.net
Massachusetts Correctional Legal Services (MCLS) is the only statewide legal services office dedicated to providing civil legal assistance to indigent people incarcerated in Massachusetts' prisons and jails. Founded in 1972, MCLS has helped thousands of prisoners through both informal advocacy and civil litigation in state and federal courts.
MoonDragon's Domestic Violence Page - Information about domestic violence and local resources in the Boston & North Shore region of Massachusetts.
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