January 2019
I know Christmas is over but you might need help at all times of the year. That is why I post this one again in January.
December 2016
Christmas is supposed to be a time of cheerfulness and happy experiences. The sad truth is though that, Christmas is a difficult time if you are a survivor of abuse. So often abuse has happened more at any holiday and of course at Christmas too so memories might surface and give you trouble.
You might still be in contact with the abuser/s and might see them at the holidays and further abuse might happen in different forms. And it is a stressful time anyway so memories find their way in easier. It is also a difficult time for parents and partners of survivors of abuse.
A few years ago I did a post about helplines who can be there to support you if you are in distress or in crisis or someone you love is. Unfortunately, I lost it but I thought today is a good time to do another one.
Well, one post is too small to post global helplines so I had a look at my stats and chose to write for those countries where most of my readers come from.
But no matter, if I have a helpline for you or not, please remember: This problem is only temporary. Life will get better and you are strong enough and have enough resources inside yourself to get through this.
It’s not about Christmas I admit but still helpful :-). Video credit: Trauma Recovery University via YouTube
And here are a few resources that will help you this Christmas (and any other holiday in any religion):
UK:
Resource: The Survivors Trust
The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)
Call 0808 801 0331 free from all landlines and mobiles
NAPAC provides a national freephone support line for adults who have suffered any type of abuse in childhood.
Telephone support line opening hours: Monday – Thursday 10:00am-9.00pm and Friday 10.00am-6.00pm/ no information about Christmas opening times
Website: www.napac.org.uk
SurvivorsUK Helpline Web Chat
National Helpline Web Chat for adult male survivors of rape or sexual
Monday – Friday 10.30 – 21:00; Saturday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00/no information about Christmas opening times
Website: www.survivorsuk.org
MOSAC (Mothers of Sexually Abused Children) 0800 980 1958
Supporting all non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused. We provide various types of support services and information for parents, carers and professionals dealing with child sexual abuse.
Website: www.mosac.org.uk Unfortunately, the helpline moves and is not available from December 16th up to January.
SupportLine 01708 765200
Confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post.
Website: www.supportline.org.uk No information of Christmas opening times
CISters (Surviving Rape and/or Sexual Abuse) 02380 338080
Answerphone 023 80 338080 is usually monitored daily during the week and callers can choose to leave their name and phone number, and we will call them back and will take care when doing so. Or can email admin@cisters.org.uk
The helpline is available to female adult survivors of childhood rape/sexual abuse, and others can call if they have a concern about such issues. In the case of the latter we will seek to signpost them to appropriate services. No information about Christmas opening times
PODS: Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors
A project of Survivors Trauma and Abuse Recovery Trust (START)
PODS works to make recovery from dissociative disorders a reality through training, informing and supporting.
Helpline: 0800 181 4420 – Tuesdays 6-8pm or appointments at other times by contacting the office
Email: mail@start-online.org.uk (for START) or info@pods-online.org.uk (for PODS)
Website: www.start-online.org.uk and www.pods-online.org.uk
US & Canada:
Resourse: Isurvive
The Sex Abuse Treatment Center
We help adults, teenagers and children; both females and males.
55 Merchant Street, 22nd Floor
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
24/7 Crisis Hotline; 1-808-524-7273
Survivors of Incest Anonymous (SIA)
http://www.siawso.org
Offers self-help twelve-step recovery program for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Defines incest and child abuse broadly. Provides general information, as well as information on how to start a new support group.
World Service Office
P.O. Box 190
Benson, MD 21018-9998
(410)- 893-3322
Incest Survivors Anonymous (ISA)
http://www.lafn.org/medical/isa/home.html
Self-help, mutual-help twelve-step support groups for survivors. For groups & meeting information and literature write them, (specify you are a survivor) or call.
P.O. Box 17245
Long Beach, CA. 90807-7245
(562)-428-5599
RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network )
http://www.rainn.org/
Operates the U.S. National Sexual Assault Hotline and also provides a 24 live secure online hotline for victims, friends and family. Offers support and information about individual/group counseling, medical attention, reporting a crime, finding shelter and many other services.
2000 L Street NW, Suite 406
Washington, DC 20036
(800)-656-HOPE or 4673 (24 hour hotline)
https://ohl.rainn.org/online/ (24 hour online hotline)
Women Organized Against Rape (WOAR)
http://www.woar.org
(215)-985-3333 (24 hour hotline)
They provide crisis intervention services to help survivors who have recently been sexually assaulted.
They also provide counseling and advocacy for survivors of sexual assault and sexual abuse, community education and public information about sexual violence.
One Penn Center
1617 JFK Boulevard Suite 1100
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215)-985-3315
(215)-985-9111 fax
Domestic Violence Survival
http://www.domesticviolence.com/content.html
(800)- 799-7233(SAFE)
(800)-621-4673 (HOPE) in NY
Information and referrals to shelters, crisis, long and short-term counseling, legal assistance, document replacement, lock replacement
Sources for Domestic Violence Prevention from SocialWorkDegree.net
http://www.socialworkdegree.net/domestic-violence-prevention/
List of over 100 organizations throughout the U.S. that offer counseling, advice, and even shelter to members of families where domestic violence has occurred. The sources listed include: advocates for better policies and social support systems, 24 hour hotlines and crisis counselors, and organizations that support and help domestic violence victims in their healing and recovery psychologically.
Safe Horizon
http://www.safehorizon.org
Safe Haven provides resources for domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and incest victims. NY Area programs include services for domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, child abuse, stalking, human trafficking, and homeless youths.
2 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10007
(212)-577-7700
(212)-385-0331 fax
YWCA Rape Crisis Center
http://www.ywca-sv.org/programs/rape_crisis_center.php
Area programs include a 24-hour crisis line for survivors, family members, and friends, accompaniment of survivors to hospital and through the reporting and judicial process, peer support groups, child abuse and assault prevention programs and free confidential crisis counseling.
375 South Third Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(800)-572-2782 (domestic violence crisis line)
(408)-287-3000 (24 hour rape crisis line)
(650)-493-7273 (24 hour rape crisis line)
The Sexual Assault Crisis Center
http://thecenter-ct.org/
Programs include state-wide Spanish and English 24-hour hotlines, individual short-term counseling, support groups, advocacy and benefit assistance.
1 Dock Street, Suite 320
Stamford , CT 06902
(888)-999-5545 (24-hour hotline, English)
(888)-568-8332 (24-hour hotline, Spanish)
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests- SNAP
http://www.snapnetwork.org/
SNAP provides support and knowledge to all victims of clergy abuse and advocates helping ensure that in future generations, children will be safe. (U.S. & Canada)
PO Box 6416
Chicago, IL 60680-6416
(312) 455-1499
(877) 762-7432
Gift From Within (GFW)
http://www.giftfromwithin.org
This site is dedicated to those who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), those at risk for PTSD, and those who care for traumatized individuals. Articles, book reviews, coping ideas poetry and peer support through the pal network for women suffering from PTSD.
16 Cobb Hill Rd.
Camden, Maine 04843
(207)-236-8858
Fax: (207)-236-2818
Pandora’s Project
http://www.pandys.org/
This site provides support and resources for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Included are articles and resources as well as a support forum and chat area. It is one of the few forum sites open to minor survivors (16 and older).
3109 W. 50th Street, Suite #320
Minneapolis, MN 55410
email: admin@pandys.org
(612)-234-4204
HealthyPlace.com
http://www.healthyplace.com/
HealthyPlace.com is the largest consumer mental health site, providing comprehensive, trusted information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and expert point of view. They have an active mental health social network for support, online psychological tests, breaking mental health news, mental health videos, our documentary films, a live mental health TV show, unique tools like our “mediminder” and more.
video credit: Rachel Platten via YouTube
Australia:
Resourse: Isurvive
ASCA (Adult Survivors of Child Abuse), Australia
http://www.asca.org.au/
ASCA is a national organization which works to improve the lives of adult survivors of child abuse throughout Australia. Resources include: daily safety tools, crisis help, court info, ASCA workshops, etc.
PO Box 597
Milsons Point
NSW 1565
(02) 8920 3611
email: info@asca.org.au
ACSSA (Australian Institute of Family Studies), Australia
http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/crisis.html
ACSSA is a central collection point for research, information and resources about sexual assault in Australia. Their resources include crisis support for adult survivors of sexual abuse.
Level 20 South Tower
485 La Trobe Street
MELBOURNE VIC 3000
Australia
Ph: +61 3 9214 7888, Fax: +61 3 9214 7839
1800RESPECT, Australia
https://www.1800respect.org.au/
National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service for people living in Australia. They assist people who have been or who are affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence by providing online and telephone counseling. Resources are also available for loved ones and professionals.
PO Box 4069 Lane Cove
NSW 2066
Ph: 1800 737 732
email: privacy@medibankhealth.com.au
China: Sorry, I could not find any helplines for survivors
Resource: Suicide.org
Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center Hotline
BEIJING
Hotline: Free: 0800-810-1117
Hotline: Mobile/IP/extension users: 010-8295-1332
Website: crisis.org.cn
Lifeline Shanghai
Shanghai
Contact by: – Phone
Hotline: (21) 63798990
Website: lifelineshanghai.com
Lifeline Yanji
Yanji
Contact by: – Phone
Hotline: (0433) 273 9595
Hours:
Mon: 08:00 – 16:00
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun: 08:00 – 16:00
Video Credit: Xavier Naido via YouTube
Germany: Links are in German
Resource: Dissoziation und Trauma.de
www.schotterblume.de
Bundesweite Hilfe für Mißbrauchsopfer (auch Männer): Tel. 0700-73353644
e-mail-Beratung unter: seelenhilfe@schotterblume.de
www.zartbitter.de
Die bedeutendste Kontakt- und Informationsstelle gegen sexuellen Mißbrauch an Mädchen und Jungen. Ist seit 20 Jahren tätig und macht viel Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
www.frauennotrufe.de
Bundesverband autonomer Frauenberatungsstellen und Frauennotrufe; Kontakte zu regionalen parteilich-feministischen und patriarchatskritischen Projekten und Beratungsstellen, insbesondere auch im Zusammenhang mit sexualisierter Gewalt. Öffentlichkeitsarbeit. Beratung auch auf englisch und türkisch
www.big-hotline.de
Hilfe bei häuslicher Gewalt gegen Frauen, telefonisch 030/6110300 (täglich 9-24 Uhr), falls erforderlich, mit Dolmetscherinnen (in 51 Sprachen). Unterstützung für Angehörige und soziale Einrichtungen, online- und e-mail-Beratung
And you can find many more helplines of different countries but mainly for mental health problems at Together We Are Strong
Merry Christmas, Bee. I wish you a Happy New Year as well and look forward to more in 2017.
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And the same to you and your family 🙂
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🙂
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