Map your community of support systems for survivors. This should include:
-Local hotlines to report sexual abuse or receive emergency counseling.
-Safe housing. Different safe houses provide support for different communities including children, women, immigrants, and substance abuse patients. ------Create a full list and learn about each facilities services for survivors of sexual assault. Perhaps, there are people in your spiritual community who can offer a temporary safe place to stay.
-Counseling. Develop relationships with trusted counselors in your community that are trauma-informed, and who specialize in sexual assault clients.
-Police Stations. Call to learn if their staff are trauma-informed in cases of sexual assault.
-Hospitals with “rape kits.” Call your local hospital to ensure they are able to receive sexual assault patients.
Make this map accessible to your leadership team and community members.
When building your community map of services, what did you learn? Do you have a balance of both internal and external resources?
Please share your thoughts (approximately 300 words).
