Hope for Men

Support for Young People

view of people's feet from below as they sit in a line along a rock wall, all wearing different kinds of shoes


What is most important: Don’t wait to get help if you are scared or feel insecure or if you have any questions.


Sexual assault or abuse is when there is unwanted sexual contact or sexual attention, this includes coercion (being manipulated or scared into it) and harassment. 

Sexual assault and abuse is a crime. 


If it has happened to you, it is never your fault. You did not cause this to happen. 


It can be important to talk to someone you trust about what has happened. No one has to go through recovering from that experience alone. Even if it feels scary or confusing or all mixed up inside, or if you’re unsure about a sexual experience, you don't have to deal with this on your own. 


Talking can help you sort out your feelings. It can help you feel less alone, and it can help you find ways to begin to heal the hurt.


Scroll down for links to places that can support you. Don’t worry if you don’t know what to say. 


We will keep adding to this page over time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know at info@hopeformen.org. 



Topics:

  1. Understanding some of the language
  2. International Crisis & Emergency lines
  3. International Resources for LGBTQ Youth
  4. Germany / Deutschland 🇩🇪
  5. USA 🇺🇸
  6. Australia 🇦🇺
  7. UK 🇬🇧
  8. Canada 🇨🇦



Understanding some of the language 

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. 


At Hope for Men, 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.


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.



International Crisis & Emergency lines

If you are feeling you might harm yourself or someone else, or need urgent medical help call your local emergency services. 

The following links might also be helpful to find someone to talk to


  1. International emergency services


  1. ‍International helplines


  1. International helplines for young people




International Resources for LGBTQ Youth

“No matter where you live, you can access www.TrevorSpace.org, a safe and secure social networking site for LGBTQ young people and their allies. The Trevor Project makes sure that the only people allowed on the site are ages 13 to 24, and no hate speech, discrimination, or bullying of any kind are allowed. 


Please know that visiting TrevorSpace may leave a record on your computer or browser, just like any website does after you visit it. While The Trevor Project does everything we can to ensure TrevorSpace is a safe digital community, we hope that you also take steps to avoid dangerous or unsafe situations in your own area.”




Germany / Deutschland 🇩🇪 

Visit: What should you do if you have been sexually assaulted?


Hilfe-portal Missbrauch 

  1. Sexuelle Gewalt in Kindheit und Jugend – wir helfen Ihnen, wenn Sie Hilfe und Informationen suchen
  2.  (Sexual violence in childhood and youth – we can help you if you are looking for help and information) 
  3. https://www.hilfe-portal-missbrauch.de/startseite 


Sexual abuse helpline: 

  1. Anonymous & free, from Monday to Friday 
  2. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 9am and 2pm 
  3. Tuesdays and Thursdays between 3pm. and 8pm
  4. Phone: 0800 22 5 530.
  5. Website: sexual abuse helpline. 




USA 🇺🇸 

The Trevor Project:🌈

  1.  The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ young people. We provide information & support to LGBTQ young people 24/7, all year round.”


National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. 

  1. This hotline is organized by RAINN, 
  2. The Hotline is a referral service that can put you in contact with your local rape crisis center. 
  3. You can call the Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 
  4. Try RAINN’s online chat service


The WhatsOK helpline

  1. This free, confidential helpline can help you think things through, and if you need help finding a counselor or have more questions about what counseling might be like.
  2. Text, chat, email, or call us


Love is Respect National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline

  1. Love is Respect National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline
  2. Call 1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453 or visit online to chat one-on-one with a support specialist.


Australia 🇦🇺 

headspace 

  1. Phone: 1800 650 890
  2. Support services for young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study support.
  3. 9am – 1am, 7 days a week.
  4. www.headspace.org.au


Kids Helpline

  1. Phone: 1800 55 1800
  2. Telephone, email and web counselling for children and young people.
  3. 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  4. www.kidshelp.com.au


Australian Childhood Foundation

  1. Phone: 1800 176 453
  2. Counselling for children and young people affected by abuse.
  3. 24 hours, 7 days a week.
  4. www.childhood.org.au




UK 🇬🇧 

Childline

  1. If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
  2. Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
  3. Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
  4. Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
  5. Opening times: 24/7
  6. Phone: 0800 11 11


Youth Access

  1. Provides information about local counselling and advice services for young people aged 11-25.
  2. Put in your location and what you need help with into their 'Find help' search, and see what services are available in your area.


TOPE

  1. TOPE is a service to support young people 13+ who have or are experiencing abuse. We believe you should be able to report the abuse when you feel ready to do so and will offer you support regardless of whether you have reported it or not. 
  2. This is a self referral, confidential specialist support service. If you feel like you’d like to talk to someone please complete the following short form and we can make contact at time that suits you. Once we receive this form someone will make contact with you within 2 days to discuss how we can help.
  3. www.tope.org.uk/contact/form
  4. Phone: 0808 168 1154



Canada 🇨🇦 

From the teentalk.ca site: 

  1. Help is out there 
  2. The Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line is a great resource that people can call if they need to talk. It is open 24/7 and free to call from anywhere in Manitoba. Their phone number is 1-888-292-7565 or (204) 786-8631.


  1. Klinic also offers free drop-in counselling within Winnipeg.
  2. www.klinic.mb.ca
  3. www.thatsnotcool.com
  4. www.whiteribbon.com


Canadian Crisis Lines 

The phone lines listed below offer support and information. They will not judge you. Don’t worry if you don’t know what to say. No matter which number you call, someone will help you! 1-800, 1-888, 1-877 , all are FREE to call.


  1. Klinic Crisis Line 1-888-322-3019 or (204) 786-8686 (24 hours)

Provides counselling, support and information for people in crisis or distress.


  1. Manitoba Suicide Line 1-877-435-7170 (24 hours)

Counseling/info for people thinking about suicide, or affected by another’s thoughts/attempts of suicide.


  1. Klinic Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1-888-292-7565 or (204) 786-8631 (24 hours)

Counselling, information, support and advocacy concerning sexual assault.


  1. Manitoba Farm & Rural Support Services 1-866-367-3276 (24 hours)

Free, non-judgemental counselling services. For email and chat support go to www.supportline.ca.


  1. Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 (24 hours)

Canada wide service providing information and support to youth.


  1. Trans Lifeline 1-877-330-6366 (check www.translifeline.org for hours). Free hotline staffed by transgender people for transgender people. Trans Lifeline volunteers are ready to respond to whatever support needs members of our community might have.


  1. National Eating Disorders Helpline 1-866-633-4220 (8am-8pm, Mon – Fri). Counselling, information and support for people dealing with or affected by eating disorders and disordered eating.