Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors

Emergency Hotlines & Support

Below are links to a number of resources to assist sexual assault victims. Also included are organizations and websites that aim to educate men and women to prevent sexual assaults from happening in the first place. If you are unsure if you should seek help after a possible sexual assault, you should also see our page here.

Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors in San Diego

Center For Community Solutions | 888.385.4657
The only San Diego rape crisis center, where Jessica Pride has served as President of the Board of Directors since 2018. CCS offers emergency shelter, legal and counseling services as well as information on education and prevention.
Chadwick Center for Children & Families at Rady Children’s Hospital | 858.576.1700
One of the nation’s largest child advocacy and trauma treatment centers based in a hospital. It offers treatment for abused and traumatized children and women impacted by domestic violence.
Child Abuse Hotline | 858.560.2191 or 800.344.6000
24 hour hotline devoted to ordering an immediate assessment when there is a concern of potential child abuse, including sexual abuse.
Free STD Testing in San Diego | STDTesting.org
North County Lifeline | 760.726.4900
Supports survivors in their transition out of human trafficking to help them heal and become independent.
San Diego Domestic Violence Council | 800.799.SAFE (7233)
Non-profit network of organizations who work to collectively improve prevention, early intervention and response practices to domestic violence.
Find a San Diego Trauma Therapist | Directory
PsychologyToday’s listing for therapists in San Diego county who treat survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
San Diego County District Attorney | 619.531.3517
A wide range of free services for survivors of various crimes, including temporary restraining orders, crisis intervention and court support.
San Diego Police Department | 619.531.2000 or 858.484.3154 (non-emergency)
Report a sexual assault, 24/7. If you have an emergency, please dial 911.
Sexual Assault Survivor Resources
Resources for Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART)
YWCA of San Diego | 619.234.3164
Helps women, children, and families escaping domestic violence and homelessness overcome trauma, rebuild their lives, and achieve self-sufficiency. 24 hour hotline.
Women’s Resource Center in Oceanside | 760.757.3500
Dedicated to providing the highest quality supportive services, counseling, shelter and education. 24 hour hotline.

San Diego Campus Sexual Assault Resources

A photo of Hepner Hall at San Diego State University. The school offers resources for sexual assault victims.

UC San Diego Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) | 858.534.5793
UC San Diego’s free, confidential services to help students, staff and faculty impacted by relationship violence, sexual assault and stalking.
SDSU Counseling & Psychological Services | 619.594.5220
San Diego State University therapists meet with students dealing with rape, sexual harassment and assault for free to help them understand their support options.
USD Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) | 619.260.2396
University of San Diego’s resource to help anyone, student or not, report sexual violence and receive free support.

California Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors

California Survivor Compensation Board
A resource page spanning various types of abuse with separate links for each, including LGBTQIA, mental health and crisis counseling services for survivors in California.
California Coalition Against Sexual Assault | 916.446.2520
CALCASA is a membership association of rape crisis centers that advocates for policy and the needs of sexual assault survivors in California.
LA Rape and Battering Hotline | 626.793.3385
Peace Over Violence is a relationship violence prevention center headquartered in Los Angeles that is committed to social service, change and justice.
San Francisco Rape Crisis Centers | 415.647.7273
24/7 hotline for both men and women with trained counselors standing by to offer support for survivors of rape and sexual assault, including same sex violence.
Women in Film | 855.943.5463
Specifically for those in the entertainment industry who have experienced sexual harassment or misconduct to receive confidential support and pro bono legal help.
Survivor’s Bill of Rights / Marsy’s Law
This page by the State of California Department of Justice outlines the rights of sexual assault survivors as outlined under Marsy’s Law.

Male Sexual Assault Survivor Resources

A man stares out the window, deep in thought. Resources for male sexual assault victims are available.

1 in 6 | 800.656.HOPE (4673)
A free, anonymous helpline and live chat service specifically for men who’ve experienced sexual assault or abuse with trained advocates available 24/7.
Male Survivor | Contact Page
A non-profit organization dedicated to the healing and support of male sexual assault survivors.
About Male Sexual Assault

Resources for Teens & Young Adults

Love is Respect | 866-331-9474
A safe place for youth to speak with a trained peer advocate about healthy dating relationships and the signs of abuse. Users can also text or chat an advocate.

Phone Apps

BSafe
A personal safety app that allows you to create a safety network to alert close friends or family members if you are in a potentially unsafe situation.
Circle of 6
This app sends a predetermined text message to six friends of your choosing with your exact location if you are in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.
VINEmobile
VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday and it provides victims of crime or concerned individuals status updates on offenders.

More Support for Sexual Assault Survivors

Department of Defense Safe Helpline
Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women
Love is Respect | Healthy relationship information
Men Can Stop Rape | Healthy Masculinity Training Institute
National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
National Center for Victims of Crime
National Domestic Violence Hotline | 800.799.7233
National Sex Offender Registry
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Pandora’s Project | Online forum for support groups and chat rooms to offer encouragement
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
National Sexual Assault Hotline | 800.656.HOPE (4674)
Find a Local Crisis Center

“The core experiences of psychological trauma are disempowerment and disconnection. Recovery, therefore, is based upon the empowerment of the survivor and the creation of new connections.” – Judith Herman

Why Calling the Police is so Important

CASES 4 CAUSES PODCAST | S1: EPISODE 2

Landon Harlan:
For someone that's listening. What would you say would be your immediate advice if they've been a victim of sexual assault, what is it that they should do?

Jessica Pride:
I would one realize this is a confusing time and the body, when you're in shock, you're going, did this really just happen to me? Is this my fault? What's going on? What do I do realize that that feeling is normal. So there are a couple things that I would advise you to do. One, preserve the evidence. Don't take a shower, don't pee, don't brush your teeth and collect your clothing. Most survivors, the first thing they wanna do is wash away the memory and clean themselves, right? Because they feel gross and disgusting. And so they get in the shower, they brush their teeth, they wash the sheets, they delete the text messages. So I would say the first thing is, is don't do that, preserve it all. Maybe you don't wanna have a suit. Maybe you don't wanna go to the police maybe, but save it in case, you know, in a couple days you decide you do wanna do something, do not delete all the text messages or the evidence.If you are going to get a SAR exam, which is the exam where they go and they collect evidence off of your body, then you will need to do it the, the sooner in time after the assault, the better, especially if you think that you were drugged as your body metabolizes, the drugs or the alcohol, you are losing evidence by the minute. So trying to get to the hospital as soon as possible. And actually about that in California, most people think, and especially San Diego, that you go straight to a hospital and they're gonna do your start exam there at the hospital. Not true. The exams are actually done in special centers that specialize in SAR examinations. And so the best thing to do is actually stay home, stay home, and call the police, call the police, let them know what has happened to you.

And they will either escort you, or they will tell you where to go, because it is a a special location, different on every county and go straight to the start center, take your clothes, take all the evidence. You know, if you have to pee, I mean, that's kind of one of those interesting things, right? Does everyone have a sterile cup at home? Probably not to pee in intake with you, but just try and minimize how much food and liquids you're drinking, cuz you're helping your body metabolize. And so you're not gonna get an accurate count on if you were drugged.

Landon Harlan:
Right? So it sounds like the most important thing for someone to do it in terms of preservation of evidence is whatever may be there. Like you said, from text messages to clothing calling the police is really a big first step.

Jessica Pride:
Definitely. And sometimes that's a really hard step because people think I call 9 1, 1, this is scary. I've never called 9 1 1 and they're really frightened. So I think the second thing would be is, you know, or simultaneously is surround yourself by someone who loves you and cares for you. Who's gonna be a support system for you, someone who's gonna reassure you that it, it's not your fault. If you're not sure if you've been sexually assaulted, you know, you can call your local rape crisis center. They have hotlines that pick up 24 hours a day, seven days a week and ask them, you can call someone like me and my team, and we'd be happy to talk to you. All consultations are free. So don't worry about having to pay legal fee just because you call to find out and then, you know, take that support person with you to the start center.

If you choose to do that make sure you take some clothing, a change of clothing because they will take your clothing from you. So, and then after all of those things heal, the biggest thing is to be kind to yourself and to give yourself some self care, whether that's counseling, whether that's meditation, a walk going for a run yoga over the next days, weeks, years your body has to process that trauma. And so what tools are you giving yourself to help do that? And as you're going through your everyday life and realizing like I'm really anxious or I'm more volatile and, and sensitive than normal, don't beat yourself up about that. Go, okay, this is part of it. I get it. Okay. I need to ground myself. I need to do something for me. If anything, and above all you need love. You need to love yourself more than anything during these times because it's hard. It's super hard.

Resources for Sexual Assault Survivors

Emergency Hotlines & Support