SEXUAL TRAUMA support RESOURCES
SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS
National Sexual Assault Hotline:
National hotline, operated by RAINN, that serves people affected by sexual violence. It automatically routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search your local center here. Hotline: 800.656.HOPENational Sexual Violence Resource Center:
This site offers a wide variety of information relating to sexual violence including a large legal resource library.National Organization for Victim Assistance:
Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States as the recognized leader in this noble cause.National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women:
VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence hosts a resource library home of thousands of materials on violence against women and related issues, with particular attention to its intersections with various forms of oppression.U.S. Department of Justice: National Sex Offender Public Website:
NSOPW is the only U.S. government Website that links public state, territorial, and tribal sex offender registries from one national search site.The National Center for Victims of Crime:
The mission of the National Center for Victims of Crime is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. They are dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime.National Street Harassment Hotline:
Created by Stop Street Harassment, Defend Yourself, and operated by RAINN, the National Street Harassment Hotline is a resource for those affected by gender-based street harassment. Support is available in English and Spanish: call 855.897.5910 or chat online.Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence: A national resource center on domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking, and other forms of gender-based violence in Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This organization provides local referrals to survivors in Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and also works to create systemic change by providing training to professionals and advocating for research-based policy changes.
Ujima: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community works to respond to and end domestic, sexual, and community violence in the Black community through research, public awareness, community engagement, and resource development.
CHILD ASSAULT PREVENTION
LITERATURE
Consent (for kids!): Boundaries, Respect, and Being in Charge of You, Rachel Brian
An engaging comic book format defines boundaries, making choices about what one does with his/her own body, trusting one’s gut feeling, resisting pressure, giving and getting consent, healthy relationships, “grooming,” trying to control others, respecting others, helping others, reaching out to a trusted adult for help, to 911, a hotline, or online resources. Ages 10-15
Ana’s Song: A Tool for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse, Carolyn Byers Ruch
An older boy helping on a little girl’s farm tries to entice her into a secret game. She refuses, runs, and tells her father. He assures Ana that she did the right things and takes the boy home. The boy is never allowed to return to the farm. Ana’s parents tell her that she didn’t do anything wrong and that she should always tell them when anything makes her feel unsafe. Ages 4-7
That Uh-Oh Feeling: A Story About Touch, Catheryn Cole
Secrets about touching aren’t good ones. After a soccer coach suggests private lessons, a girl talks about her uncomfortable experience with friends, her sister, and her mother. Six parent tips at conclusion. Ages 5-8
Some Parts Are Not for Sharing, Julie K. Federico
A basic picture book about private places and keeping them to ourselves. Ages 2-4
No Trespassing—This is My Body!. Pattie Fitzgerald
Teaches that no one except parents and doctors look at or touch children’s private places, and they only do so to keep children healthy. Examples of “thumbs-up” and “thumbs-down” touches are given. Two-page parent guide detailing how to listen, communicate, and educate children, how to alert kids to “tricky people” who try to entice them into “thumbs-down” activities or to break safety rules. Ages 4-8
Super Duper Safety School, Pattie Fitzgerald
Teaches children that they are the boss of their own bodies and are in charge of all the touches they receive. Nine personal safety rules are highlighted to help children identify “thumbs-up” safety behaviors and “thumbs-down” rule violations. Ages 5-8
Know Tiny Secrets: How to Keep Your Body Private and Safe, Latasha Fleming
A guide to understanding how special each child’s body is and how it belongs to him or her. The book embraces children from all walks of life and abilities, and teaches them the ploys used in child sexual abuse. This knowledge forewarns children about secrets between them and potential abusers, and the importance of telling an adult when abuse is attempted or has occurred. Ages 4-7
Sexual Abuse, Marylee Floric and Matthew Broyles
Sexual abuse is defined, the range of perpetrators is explored, the potential lasting effects of abuse, facts and myths, incest, rape, online predators, and recovery from sexual abuse. Resources and bibliography. Ages 13-adult
Some Secrets Hurt: A Story of Healing, Linda Kay Garner
A little girl is keeping a secret that makes her tummy hurt and makes her want to hide. She’s afraid to tell anyone but decides to tell her parents. They do not become angry as she had fears, but help her stay safe, and tell people who will stop the inappropriate conduct. 4 pages of parent tips. Ages 6-10
Bobby and Mandee’s Good Touch, Bad Touch, Robert Kahn
The book differentiates good and inappropriate touches. Advocates saying ‘no,” getting away, and telling a trusted adult. Discusses secrets and threats, and identifies which people the child can talk with to get help. Ages 4-7
I Said No!: A Kid-to-Kid Guide to Keeping Private Parts Private, Zach and Kimberly King
Identifies “red flag” situations when children should refuse touch. Explains the difference between threats, rewards, and bribes. Alerts children how to refuse touch by an older child or adult, how to stay safe, and how to tell a parent or teacher. Provides a list of people a child could tell when seeking help. Ages 6-11
Fred the Fox Shouts, “No!” Tatiana Y. Kisil Matthews
Parents in a fox family learn that a grown-up tricked a child into a secret touching game. The parents coach their children to say “no” to unwanted touch and have them practice saying it in response to several scenarios. They stress the importance of telling parents when anything similar happens. Ages 4-7
Stay Safe! How You Can Keep Out of Harm’s Way, Sara Nelson
64-page mini textbook covering personal safety, boundaries, bullying, assault, abuse, refusal skills, telling a trusted adult, trusting gut feelings, internet safety, strong body language, assertive language (“Go away, back off, leave me alone, please stop”), defending yourself, and conflict resolution. Quiz and bibliography at conclusion. Ages 9-14
My Body Belongs to Me from My Head to My Toes, Pro Familia
The story builds confidence about accepting and rejecting physical contact from others. Describes the types of personal body boundaries children have the right to set, their right to be assertive, to voice disapproval, and to refuse unwanted affection. Encourages children to practice saying, “Don’t touch me! I don’t want you to.” Ages 5-10
Promise Not to Tell, Carolyn Polese
Chapter book about a girl whose riding teacher singles her out for special attention, and eventually, leads her into the forest with ill intentions She tricks him and gets away, but she finds the secret too much to bear and seeks adult help. Ages 11-14
Under Our Clothes: Our First Talk About Our Bodies, Dr. Jillian Roberts
Discussion about one’s “personal bubble,” comfort zone, boundaries, a body safe checklist, privacy, modesty, gender neutral restrooms, the problems with secrets, defines consent, body-shaming, self-esteem, and positive self-talk. Ages 7-12
My Body! What I Say Goes!, Jayneen Sanders
A book to empower children with personal safety skills, discusses feelings, safe and unsafe touch, secrets and surprises, consent, respectful relationships. Talks about early warning signs, the bad feeling in one’s stomach or the heart pounding when feeling unsafe, the difference between surprises and secrets. Five body safety rules to remember. Two pages of discussion questions for parents, caregivers, and educators. Ages 6-12
No Means No!, Jayneen Sanders
Teaching children about personal boundaries, respect, and consent. Empowering kids by respecting their choices and their right to say “No” to unwanted hugs, kisses, hand-holding, or help with bathing. Two-page discussion guide for parents, caregivers, and educators. Ages 4-7
Some Secrets Should Never Be Kept, Jayneen Sanders
A little boy feels sad and terribly uncomfortable about a secret tickling game with a trusted adult. He tells his mother, who believes him, praises his bravery, and makes sure he’s never in that adult’s company again. Ages 5-8
Because It’s My Body! Joanne Sherman
A series of vignettes teaches children how to assertively communicate when, and how they do not want to be touched. If tickling, wrestling, hugging, playing doctor, or kissing are unwelcome, children are encouraged to declare their feelings. A nicely illustrated, empowering read for children 2-10.
My Body Belongs to Me: A Book About Body Safety, Jill Starishevsky
This book helps parents start the discussion about personal safety/body boundaries and the importance of telling about inappropriate touch. Stresses the importance of addressing this topic periodically to reinforce the message. A dozen parent tips at the conclusion. Two pages of helpful resources for families who may be grappling with child sexual assault. Ages 3-8