Hope for Men

Support for Women

Support for Women5 women from diverse backgrounds and sizes standing on a beach and all wearing white clothing


What is most important: Do not hesitate to get help if you are scared or feel insecure or if you have any questions. 


Sexual violence, or unwanted sexual experiences, affects people of every gender identity, and sexual orientation. And just as every individual is unique, so too is how they may feel after an unwanted sexual experience. 


We use the term “unwanted sexual experiences” to refer to the kinds of sexual experiences that can cause a variety of problems, regardless of when that experience took place. ‘Sexual violence’ is a term being more frequently used for essentially any unwanted sexual contact. It does not only refer to physical violence. 

(Image by: Anna Shvets)


We hope these words are ok with you. But you can use whatever language works for you, to describe and understand what happened to you. Only you can know what language works for you. And what works for you depends on who you are and what you need right now. 


Any type of unwanted sexual contact is a crime and is not in any way, shape or form your fault. You did not cause this to happen. If this is happening now or has happened in the past, talking to someone you trust can help you more than you can guess.


If you are a young person under 18 years old, please have a look at our Support for Young People page. And head to the LGBTQIA+ Support page, if you're looking for specialized supports for the LGBTQIA+ community.


We will keep adding to this resource over time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know by sending an email to info@hopeformen.org. 



CONTENTS


  1. The effects unwanted sexual experiences
  2. International Crisis & Emergency lines
  3. International Directories of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services
  4. Global Directory: Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe, Oceania
  5. International Directory of Gender-based violence services
  6. Some Facebook groups
  7. Germany 🇩🇪
  8. Berlin
  9. USA 🇺🇲
  10. UK 🇬🇧
  11. New Zealand 🇳🇿
  12. Australia 🇦🇺



The effects of unwanted sexual experiences 


Sexual violence affects people of every gender identity, and sexual orientation, age, social status, education level, employment level. It has nothing to do with ‘sex’ but everything to do with power. And it is a crime. Below are some common reactions to unwanted sexual experiences. Please note: here is no right or wrong response or reaction — everyone is different and will be impacted in their own unique way. These are all normal responses to an abnormal situation.


Survivors often experience psychological, emotional and physical effects. These effects aren’t always easy to deal with, but with the right help and support they can be managed:


  1. mood changes, such as depression, 
  2. trauma responses like PTSD, flashbacks, 
  3. anxiety, panic attacks, 
  4. eating disorders
  5. sleep disorders 
  6. substance abuse or misuse 
  7. changes in their sexual feelings and activity (some people become hyper-sexual, others may avoid sex altogether), 
  8. questions and/or fears around their sexual identity and/or orientation, 
  9. confusion sometimes in understanding ‘was it sexual assault/abuse?’ (especially if they couldn’t actually say no), 
  10. confusion when their body responds physically even though they didn’t consent (note: flushed skin, having an orgasm, feeling physical pleasure does not necessarily mean you consented— your body can react this way in times of great stress and fear. Many perpetrators will use this to convince you that ‘you wanted it’). 
  11. Fears around not being believed or they should have been able to stop it


We will keep adding to this resource over time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know by sending an email to info@hopeformen.org. 



International Crisis & Emergency lines


If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, are feeling suicidal or require urgent medical support. 


  1. International emergency services
  2. ‍International helplines
  3. International suicide hotlines 


International Domestic Violence Resource Guide


  1. https://www.mysticmag.com/psychic-reading/domestic-violence-resource-guide/



International Directories of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Services


Global Directory: Africa, Asia, Americas, Europe, Oceania:

  1. https://nomoredirectory.org/get-help/ 


International Directory of Gender-based violence Services

  1.  Chayn’s global directory of resources (helplines, organizations, and government services) that can support you. 
  2. CHAYN: Chayn is a global nonprofit, run by survivors and allies from around the world, creating resources to support the healing of survivors of gender-based violence.



Some Facebook groups


Trigger warning – these posts offer useful resources and women offering help and support, but some also have details of experiences with sexual assault. 

These links are found within the 'International Women in Berlin' Facebook Group, which is a group of international women.


https://www.facebook.com/groups/internationalwomeninberlin/permalink/1309739582716978 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/internationalwomeninberlin/permalink/1227095704314700

https://www.facebook.com/groups/internationalwomeninberlin/permalink/1392188324472103

https://www.facebook.com/groups/internationalwomeninberlin/permalink/938650026492604

https://www.facebook.com/groups/internationalwomeninberlin/permalink/1209791919378412


Germany 🇩🇪


  1. BFF: Federal organization showing an index of over 160 rape crisis centers across Germany (54 in Berlin).


Berlin


  1. LARA : Rape Crisis and Counselling Centre for women, girls, and trans folk over the age of 14 who have been raped, sexually abused or sexually harassed.
  2. Weisser Ring: Offering free help for victims of crime, assisting victims through counseling, accompaniment to court, covering the initial cost of trauma counseling and attorney fees, protecting the victims' rights, amongst other things.
  3. Charite’s Outpatient Clinic for the Protection Against Violence
  4. Frauenkrisentelefon: Offering counseling to women on any issue that they experience.
  5. Frauenraum: Directory of counseling centres and women’s shelters 
  6. BIG: Hotline for victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. If you are not ready to speak about your experiences, they have a lot of information on their website as well 
  7. Gewalt Gegen Frauen: Hotline for those who have been specifically affected by abuse or harassment (Certified LGBTIQ friendly)
  8. European Institute for Gender Equality: Index where you can check if what happened to you was a crime, and what next steps you can take
  9. KV-Berlin: A directory of therapists covered by public health insurance 



USA 🇺🇲


  1. National Sexual Violence and Resources Center: https://www.nsvrc.org/find-help 
  2. Directory of Organizations: https://www.nsvrc.org/organizations 



UK 🇬🇧


  1. The 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line
  2. Women and Girls Network Sexual Violence Support Helpline
  3. Women and Girls Network Webchat Service



New Zealand 🇳🇿


  1. Rape Crisis - 0800 88 33 00 (Will direct you to a nearby centre), follow link for information on local helplines
  2. Safe to talk - 0800 044 334, text 4334 or web chat
  3. Hohou te Rongo Kahukura - (charity preventing and responding to violence experienced by Takatāpui and Rainbow communities)
  4. OutLineNZ - 0800 688 5463 can help you find rainbow groups near you
  5. Shine - 0508-744-633 or chat online
  6. Are You OK - online resource to understand unsafe relationships and find support nearby
  7. Victim Support - 0800 842 846 (24hr service)
  8. The Harbour - online support and information for those affected by harmful sexual behaviour
  9. Women’s Refuge (For women and children) - crisis line available on 0800 733 843



Australia 🇦🇺


  1. Directory of National and State Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence services: https://www.respect.gov.au/services


  1. Call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292


  1. 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
  2. 1800RESPECT provides support to people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
  3. All calls and chats are with a trained counsellor who will provide information and counselling and referrals to services or support.
  4. 24 hours, 7 days a week. 
  5. www.1800respect.org.au


  1. Full Stop Australia 
  2. National trauma counselling and recovery service for people of all ages and genders experiencing sexual, domestic and family violence. This service is free and confidential
  3. 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  4. Call 1800 385 578
  5. http://www.fullstop.org.au/ 


  1. Immigrant Women’s Support Services
  2. Our services combine to operate as the Immigrant Women’s Support Service (IWSS), a specialist service response for immigrant and refugee women from non-English speaking background and their children who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence.
  3. https://iwss.org.au/ 


  1. Centre against Violence
  2. The Centre Against Violence – Centre Against Sexual Assault provides support for people who have experienced or have been impacted by sexual assault both recently and in the past.
  3. https://centreagainstviolence.org.au/ 


Callers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can contact the National Relay Service (NRS) by calling 1800 555 677 or 1300 555 727 (speak and listen) then asking for the relevant support service.


Callers from a non-English speaking background can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) by calling 13 14 50.