Many women -- at least 1 in 8 -- experience a rape in their lifetime. If this has happened to you, we encourage you to be gentle with yourself. You didn't deserve to be raped. You didn't do anything wrong to bring on a rape. You didn't choose to be raped. You are not responsible -- the rapist is. You did the best you could, and you did well -- after all, you're here to read this.
You do deserve help in working through it. It doesn't matter whether the rape was yesterday or twenty years ago. It doesn't matter if the rape was by somebody you knew. It doesn't matter if you never called it rape. Get support from friends. Call a rape crisis line. They're there to talk with you. They can help you decide what to do next, refer you to therapists and support groups who can help you further, recommend self defense classes in your locale. They can simply listen.
Here are some resource numbers for the areas of Seattle and King County in the state of Washington. For other areas of the U.S., check your local phone book, or peruse our "Community, Resources, and Links" page, which may point you to resources in your locale.
Rape Crisis Lines |
Seattle Rape Relief -- (206) 632-RAPE or (206) 632-7273 King County Rape Relief -- (206) 226-RAPE or (206) 226-7273 |
Domestic Violence |
Catherine Booth House -- (206) 324-4943 or (206) 324-7271 New Beginnings Center -- (206) 522-9472 |
Other Crisis Resources |
Youth Hotline -- (206) 725-8888 Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Youth Crisis Line -- (206) 322-7900 AABL (Advocates for Abused & Battered Lesbians) -- (206) 547-8191 |
Martial Arts |
Feminist Karate Union -- (206) 325-3878 Seven Star Women's Kung Fu -- (206) 720-1046 |
Rape Prevention Education |
Alternatives to Fear -- (206) 328-5347 |
Related topics:
Community, Resources & Links
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