Helplines in Puerto Rico.

Have you experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Get confidential support from a hotline in Puerto Rico

Regardless of whether you're a woman, man or child in Puerto Rico, if someone has used coercion, power or force to make you engage in unwanted sexual activity, you were a victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a form of sexual violence, which is any sexual activity without consent. Other forms of sexual violence are sexual assault, such as rape and unwanted touching, and sexual harassment, which is unwelcome sexual behavior.

If you’ve experienced sexual abuse, assault or harassment, you might be experiencing intense rage and fear, or you may feel numb. There are 5 hotlines in Puerto Rico who support the victims of sexual violence. Consider getting some support if you recognize any of the following:

Examples of sexual violence:

• Repeated unwanted sexual attention or advances, including in your workplace or by your employer
• Sexual photos or videos being posted online without your consent
• An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
• Rape by more than one person (gang rape) or rape by the same person over a period of time (serial rape)
• Being spoken to in a sexual way that you find offensive or degrading
• Being coerced, threatened or forced to perform any sort of sexual activity
• Sexual abuse or assault from someone in your family (incest)
• Being forced or coerced to have sex without protection from sexually transmitted diseases

Effects of sexual violence:

• A decline in your physical and mental health
• Not being able to fall or stay asleep
• Feeling unsafe and scared that it would happen again
• Minimizing the abuse as not being as severe as someone else’s
• Feeling depressed and hopeless, with suicidal thoughts
• Bursts of fear, anxiety, and panic
• Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the sexual abuse
• Having flashbacks about the sexual abuse

Everyone deals with sexual abuse, assault or harassment differently. You may find yourself trying to cope with it in a variety of ways. However, it is perfectly natural that it takes time to heal. It was a traumatic experience, and it might take a lot of support to recover.

After surviving sexual violence, you might believe no one will understand your feelings. However, there are people in Puerto Rico who will give their best to understand you. Speaking freely about what you experienced could help you heal faster.

Consider contacting a hotline in Puerto Rico right away for free, private help with sexual abuse, assault and harassment