Resources for Survivors
For feeling less alone:
Survivor Stories: A collection of hundreds of stories contributed by survivors of varying cultural backgrounds.
I Am With You – Chanel Miller: Impact statement and a collection of thoughts from Chanel about her experience and the way that life was changed for her following her attack.
We Believe You: A coloring book for survivors and supporters.
Am I Being Abused?: Challenge what you’ve been told by understanding the facts related to abuse.
For helping friends & family understand:
Telling Loved Ones About Sexual Assault – RAINN
A Guide for Friends & Family of Sexual Violence Survivors – RAINN: Addresses immediate concerns, how to help, responding to/understanding child sexual abuse, effects of the assault, understanding sexual violence, teen sexual violence, male sexual violence, questions, prevention, and definitions.
Friends and Family Toolkit for Supporting a Loved One After Sexual Violence – RAINN.
Self-Care for Friends and Family – RAINN: Working out reactions and self-care practices for friends and family of survivors.
For taking care of yourself:
Medical Care Following Assault: Common questions related to sexual assault forensic exams.
A Toolkit for Survivors – Me Too: Tips and practices to help articulate some things you might be feeling, ground you, and give you the tools to help take care of yourself while you navigate the effects of this pandemic.
Student’s Guide to Radical Healing – UNLV: Insight on how trauma can impact us, and how to address those different impacts. Includes trauma and healing information, self-care assessment, healing plan, and healing tips/activities.
Virtual Survivor Support Workshops – BARCC: Sessions explore self-care, coping, & connection for survivors.
Let’s Get Grounded – toolkit for survivors: Grounding skills can be helpful in managing overwhelming feelings or intense anxiety. They help someone to regain their mental focus from an often intensely emotional state. (Spanish version here)
Feeling Safe in Your Body and Mind: A guide for survivors of sexual violence (English & Spanish)
FoodFinder: An interactive map of food pantries nationwide.
For reporting to law enforcement and Title IX:
Free Legal Support for Student Survivors – ENOUGH provides student survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment with free legal information, advice, and services. They will connect you with an ENOUGH advocate, a volunteer Title IX expert who wants to help you feel safe at school and can help you figure out your options.
Reporting to Law Enforcement – RAINN.
Communicating with Law Enforcement – RAINN.
What to Expect at a Criminal Trial – RAINN.
What to Expect from the Criminal Justice System – RAINN.
Sex Crimes: Definitions and Penalties in Michigan – RAINN: Defining criminal sexual conduct and penalties with Michigan statues.
Documentation Tips for Survivors of Technology Abuse & Stalking – National Network to End Domestic Violence.
Michigan Legal Help: Michigan Legal Help is for people who are handling their legal problems without a lawyer and covers a large array of problems and topics.
Personal Protection Order (PPO) Assistance – EVE.
Find a legal victim advocate in Michigan: Victim Advocates provide (free) comprehensive services to assist victims through the criminal justice system. Services include court accompaniment, court notification, preparing victims for testimony, crisis intervention, providing emotional support, ensuring victims understand the criminal justice system and their rights under the Crime Victim Rights Act. They also connect victims to community resources and referrals.
FAQ About Reporting to Police – State of Michigan: Learn about the investigation and criminal process, and get answers to commonly asked questions about criminal sexual acts.
For finding local help:
National Database of sexual assault providers – RAINN: This list is made up of independent sexual assault service providers, including National Sexual Assault Hotline affiliate organizations and other local providers. Staff at these programs are dedicated to helping survivors in your area.
Organizations related to sexual violence – NSVRC: State, territorial, and tribal anti-sexual assault coalitions and national allied organizations. This online directory highlights those organizations and projects working to eliminate sexual violence. List also includes organizations that support people of color, faith-based organizations, and LGBTQ+ organizations.
Sexual Assault Services – Bronson [Battle Creek/Marshall]: Sexual Assault Services is committed to providing empathic, non-judgmental, comprehensive services, support and advocacy for survivors and others affected by sexual assault or abuse; raising awareness of sexual assault; and engaging others to help in holding offenders accountable and to achieve a community free of sexual violence. All programs are offered at no cost.
S.A.F.E. Place – [Battle Creek]: S.A.F.E. Place provides emergency shelter, counseling (adult & child), legal advocacy, PPO assistance, resources/advocacy, and a 24/7 crisis line to victims of domestic violence/sex trafficking and their families. All programs are offered at no cost.
For talking to someone who understands:
This hotline is confidential & anonymous and will not share your information. You don’t have to share your name or personal information. They offer immediate crisis counseling and referrals to local service providers – regardless of your identity or how long ago you or your loved one experienced a sexual assault.
National Sexual Assault Hotline
Call 1.800.656.HOPE (4673) | Online chat
24/7 free and confidential support around sexual harassment, abuse, and assault.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
Call 1.800.656.4673 | Mobile App | Online Chat
The nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. Chat online with a trained staff member who can provide you confidential crisis support.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Call 1.888.373.7888 | Text 233733 | Online Chat
24/7 free and confidential support around sex and labor trafficking.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) | Online chat
24/7 free and confidential support around domestic, intimate partner, and dating violence.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 1.800.273.TALK (8255) | Online chat
24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress.
Call 1.844.7NATIVE (844.762.8483) | Online chat
24/7 free, confidential and anonymous culturally-appropriate domestic, dating and sexual violence helpline for Native Americans.
Call 1.877.565.8860
Free, confidential, and anonymous phone service run by trans/nonbinary operators for trans and questioning peers. The hotline is open 24/7 with operators guaranteed to be on call between 7am-2am Pacific / 10am-5am Eastern. Trans LifeLine will not call 911, emergency services, or law enforcement for active rescue without a caller’s consent.
Call 1.866.488.7386 | Text ‘START’ to 678-678 | Online Chat
24/7 free crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ young people under 25.
Albion College maintains this internet site as a service to the College community. It is intended as a resource to inform and to educate. Included are direct links to other internet sites which we believe may be helpful. However, this does not imply that the Albion College Anna Howard Shaw Center for Gender Equity endorses any of the information provided at each of these sites. Furthermore, while we attempt to monitor and update our listings on a regular basis, the Anna Howard Shaw Center for Gender Equity cannot make any claims or assume any responsibility as to the reliability or functionality of the internet addresses (URLs) provided or the information contained at these sites. Readers are encouraged to evaluate the materials and to use what they find to be helpful. Information provided in our Web site and at other internet sites is not intended as a substitute for assistance from a qualified professional. For personal assistance or referrals, Albion students should contact the Victim Advocate at (517) 629-0613.