Reaching Out
Sometimes one of the hardest things to do is to just pick up the phone. Survivors often live in secrecy and fear for years and find it hard to reach out and ask for help. So much has changed over the last decade or so. The good news is that there are many more willing ears and resources available for those who have suffered assault, harassment, or childhood sexual abuse. Many of them you can call anonymously. I’ve put together a resource page below for anyone needing support. I hope this helps.
SURVIVOR RESOURCES:
Canada:
SACHA has a 24-hour support line, many free online services and a lot of helpful statistics and information and kind people to talk too. They also have volunteers who will accompany you to court and info on how to erase your tracks online.
75 MacNab St. South,
3rd floor, Hamilton, ON
L8P 3C1, Canada
(Phone) 905-525-4162
Free Guide:
The government of Canada has a free guide for sexual assault survivors with important info on legal and reporting options etc. https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/benefits-military/conflict-misconduct/operation-honour/understand-prevent-respond/supporting-tools-resources/guide-sexual-assault-survivors.html
Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime: https://crcvc.ca
The CRCVC provides support, research and education to survivors of serious crimes. This organization has a lot of resources for victims of assault and crime, not much for child sexual abuse survivors. But a comprehensive list of other government organizations that might be helpful.
100-141 Catherine Street Ottawa, ON K2P 1C3
(Phone) 613-233-7614 (Toll-Free Phone) 1-877-232-2610 Email contact form – Link.
The Gatehouse—A Safe Place Where Everyone Has a Voice
The gatehouse provides support, community and resources for individuals impacted by childhood sexual abuse. It provides free groups, as well as support with investigation and reporting, and various other cultural and creative community events.
3101 Lake Shore Blvd. West,
Toronto, ON M8V 3W8 Phone: 416-255-5900 Fax: 416-255-7221
Instagram: @thegatehousetoronto
Survivors of Abuse Recovering: survivorsofabuserecovering.ca
A community-based peer counselling service for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse in West Hants, Kings & Annapolis Counties (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Office location 32 Cornwallis St, 2nd Floor Kentville, NS B4N 2E1
Mailing address P.O. Box 105 Kentville B4N 3B9
(Voicemail) 902-679-7337 (Phone) 1-877-679-SOAR (7627)
USA:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) https://www.rainn.org
RAINN is the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S. It created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and also provides a live secure online chat for victims, friends and family. RAINN offers support and information about individual/group counseling, medical attention, reporting a crime, finding shelter and many other services.
800-656-4673 (HOPE) (24 hour hotline) https://hotline.rainn.org/online/terms-of-service.jsp (24 hour online live chat) https://hotline.rainn.org/es/terms-of-service.jsp (24 hour online live chat, Spanish)
Stop Mind Control and Ritual Abuse Today (S.M.A.R.T.) http://ritualabuse.us
This organization has been around a long time, providing help for many. The purpose of S.M.A.R.T. is to help stop ritual abuse and child abuse and to help those who have been ritually abused. They work toward this goal by disseminating information on the connections between secretive organizations, ritual abuse, and mind control, by encouraging healing from the damage done by child abuse, ritual abuse and mind control, and by encouraging survivors to network.
PO Box 1295 Easthampton, MA 01027
(Email) smartnews@aol.com
Survivors of Incest Anonymous (SIA) http://siawso.org
Survivors of Incest Anonymous offers a self-help twelve-step recovery program for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. They define incest and child abuse broadly, and provide general information, including on how to start a new support group. Anyone can join from any country, but there are some phone protocols, and Canadians may have to get on phone meetings via Skype.
To find groups and meetings, search the SIA directory – Link. SIA World Service Office 3945 Forbes Avenue, #448 Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(Phone) 1-877-742-9761 Email contact form – Link.
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests – SNAP www.snapnetwork.org
SNAP is a volunteer-run organization that provides support and knowledge to all victims of clergy abuse, and advocates help to ensure that in future generations, children will be safe.
PO Box 56539 Saint Louis, MO 63156
(Phone) 314-776-9277 (Toll-Free Helpline) 1-800-762-7432 Email contact form – Link. List of local SNAP chapters – Link.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Find a Therapist (from Psychology Today) https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
A directory of therapists, psychiatrist, treatment centers and support groups in the US and Canada with comprehensive descriptions of their specialties and services.
This website has an amazing list of different organizations that help survivors, including addiction and recovery centers. And what’s brilliant is that the list is international and includes resources from countries throughout the English-speaking world.