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Free hotlines for sexual assault and abuse in California

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Womens Center YFS - Sexual Assault Helpline offers 24/7, free and confidential support by phone. We are here to help everyone...


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California Youth Crisis Line provides 24/7, free and confidential support by phone, text message (SMS) and online chat. We...


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Founded in 1966, the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center was the first program of the organization known today as...


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Crisis Support Service of Alameda County offers 24/7, free, compassionate and confidential support by phone and text message...


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The San Diego Access and Crisis Line (ACL) has been serving the people of San Diego County since 1997. The ACL provides...


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WEAVE provides 24/7, free, compassionate and confidential support by phone and online chat. We help everyone, including the...


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Every day in San Diego County, current and former service members and their families deal with the complex maze of issues that...


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YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley is dedicated to providing 24/7 free and confidential support over phone and online chat. We...


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Inland SoCal Crisis Helpline provides 24/7, free and confidential support and information by phone. We help everyone in Inland...


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PREVAIL, previously known as the Women's Center YFS Domestic Violence Helpline is dedicated to providing 24/7, free and...


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Placer County Koinonia Family Services Hotline offers 24/7, free, compassionate and confidential support over phone. We exist...


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Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Redwood Community Crisis Services is the sole provider of emergency crisis response in...


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Suicide Prevention Service of the Central Coast is dedicated to providing 24/7, free and confidential support by phone. We...


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Siskiyou County Crisis Service is dedicated to providing 24/7, free and confidential support by phone. We support everyone in...


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Marin County Buckelew Suicide Prevention Crisis Hotline provides 24/7, free, compassionate and confidential support over phone....


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El Dorado County Behavioral Health Division (South Lake Tahoe) offers 24/7, free and confidential support by phone. We help...


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My Sisters House Support Line provides 24/7, free, compassionate and confidential support by phone. We exist to help adults in...


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Children of the Night is dedicated to providing 24/7, free and confidential support and information over phone. We are here for...


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Warmline

Mental Health Advocates of Marin Warmline offers free, compassionate, and confidential support over the phone. We exist to help...


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Community Helpline offers free, compassionate and confidential support by phone. We are here to help everyone in California,...


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Ever wish you had someone to talk to? Someone who is supportive, caring and non-judgmental? Someone who is understanding and...


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New Hope Crisis Counseling Hotline offers free, compassionate and confidential support by phone. We support everyone with a...


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Are you a victim of sexual abuse, assault or harassment? Get free, confidential support from a hotline in California, United States

Sexual abuse is the use of coercion, force, or unequal positions to make you engage in any form of unwanted sexual activity. Anyone in California, United States – women, men or children – can be a victim of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a form of sexual violence, which includes sexual assault, such as rape or unwanted touching, and sexual harassment, which is unwelcome, intimidating or offensive 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 25 hotlines in California, United States 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
  • Being used sexually in a way that is humiliating
  • Being exposed to a violent, hurtful sexual act without your permission
  • Sexual abuse or assault from someone in your family (incest)
  • Being filmed or photographed nude or in a sexually explicit way without your permission
  • Catcalls and whistles that make you feel uncomfortable or objectified
  • An organ or an object being put into your vagina (rape), or anus or mouth (sodomy), without your consent
  • Being kissed or touched without your consent or being made, by coercion or force, to touch or kiss someone

Effects of sexual violence:

  • Feeling guilty about the sexual abuse
  • Not being able to fall or stay asleep
  • Losing trust in people in general
  • Having nightmares about the sexual abuse you experienced
  • Minimizing the abuse as not being as severe as someone else’s
  • Feeling edgy and fearful, especially around people who resemble the abuser in any way
  • Feeling dirty, damaged, and broken
  • Feeling ashamed for what occurred

Everyone responds to experiencing sexual violence differently. It’s perfectly normal to go through very different emotions in a single day. Still, trying to cope with this on your own can be extremely difficult.

When you’re on your path to surviving sexual violence and its aftermath, it helps to know that there are people who can relate. People in California, United States who went through similar experiences could make your recovery easier and quicker.

If you feel like you might need support with your experience of sexual violence, try reaching out to a hotline in California, United States. It's free and confidential.


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