Support For Survivors
Nobody is alone in the struggle to overcome the trauma of child sexual abuse. Children's Advocacy Centers serve child victims of abuse and their families by case referral. But we know that many adult survivors may be looking for support, too. With the help of partner organizations and Survivor Advocates, we've created a SHINE resource page just for them. The healing journey never ends, but it has to start somewhere. See our list of survivor-led and survivor-focused organizations that are available to provide crisis help, information about child sexual abuse, victim services, and peer support.
Crisis Hotlines
Text HOME to 741741 to reach a Crisis Counselor
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support via a medium people already use and trust: text.
Victim Connect Resource Center
Provides phone, chat, and text-based services to all victims of crime. Includes hotlines for victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and child abuse. Offers strength-based and trauma-informed services and referrals in over 200 languages.
National Resources
National Children's Alliance (NCA)
National accrediting organization for Children's Advocacy Centers. Website includes research, data, and awareness information about child abuse, as well as an overview of the Children's Advocacy Center model of response.
SurvivorSpace
A safe online space hosted by Zero Abuse Project where survivors can learn about child sexual abuse; find legal information; focus on self-care and resiliency; read survivor stories; explore civil litigation; access national resources and institutional programs; and connect with others to learn about and discuss a wide range of topics.
Darkness To Light
National nonprofit focused on child abuse prevention and research, including statistics on incidence of child sexual abuse and disclosure.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
National nonprofit organization providing resources to survivors of sexual violence.
1 in 6
Founded in response to a lack of resources addressing the impact of negative childhood sexual experiences on the lives of adult men. Resources include a 24/7 online helpline where men and the people who care about them can chat one-on-one with a trained advocate, as well as free and confidential weekly online support groups for men who have experienced sexual abuse or assault.
Pennsylvania Victim Services
Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate
The PA Office of Victim Advocate provides support and services to crime victims. This includes safety programs and notification services, restorative justice options, and support groups.
Respect Together / PCAR
In every county at no cost to the individual, a full range of confidential support and services are available to all adult and child survivors of sexual harassment, abuse, and assault. These services are provided by a network of local Sexual Assault Services Centers with 45 years of experience.
Pennsylvania Survivor-Led Peer Support
Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor
By survivors, for survivors. Programs include the virtual interactive theatrical show Ask A Sex Abuse Survivor, the virtual storytelling event Survivor Stories Online, virtual Survivor Poetry Readings, and virtual peer to peer support groups.
Victory Over Inconceivable Cowardly Experiences (V.O.I.C.E.)
Survivor-led support network founded by LaQuisha S. Anthony, a Philadelphia native whose desire is to end the silence and stigma surrounding Sexual Violence.
Share Your Story
If you are a survivor of child sexual abuse and you would like to share your story of overcoming trauma as part of the SHINE Campaign, please let us know! You may email us at info@penncac.org and we will follow up with more information about opportunities to participate. You can also message us on Facebook @ChildAdvocacyPA.
