Resources for Survivors

Content Warning(s): None

Day thirty! April is Sexual Assault Survivor Month! This post will contain sensitive material; please exercise caution if you see a topic that could be upsetting to you. A final caveat: these are written from my limited perspective as a bi woman who was raped. I don't have all the answers and I'm still working through my own journey. There are many other kinds of sexual assault and abuse that are relevant this month. Take time to consider the needs of your diverse fellow survivors. Speak up for them when they can't speak up for themselves, but don't speak over them. Thank you!

On the last day of Sexual Assault Survivor (/Awareness) Month, I'm going to list some resources that were recommended to me for the purposes of helping others. It's been such a journey writing about these topics daily, yet I haven't even scratched the surface of what it's like to be a survivor.

To some, it may have seemed extreme that I chose to do this for all 30 days (including during a convention!), but the truth is that it's something I think about every day and have thought about every day since I realized what had happened to me. This is often a reality for survivors; "not a day goes by" that we aren't affected by it in some way, whether it's speaking up like this or noticing that something makes us slightly uncomfortable or avoiding a place or activity. I originally intended to post a performance I did for voice area recitals in 2010 (long before I knew how it'd affect me) of the Sondheim song, "Not A Day Goes By," but I couldn't find the legacy video. But in its place I'll link Bernadette Peters's performance, which heavily influenced my own.

The conversation is just begun; now I turn it over to you. I endeavor to share relevant posts and topics related to survivorship, safety, and self-esteem here. I invite any of you with a story you'd like to share to be a guest columnist!

Uplift & their YouTube Channel

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network - Extended National Resources (U.S.) listed here.
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (online chat available)

Love Is Respect (abusive relationship resources)

Feel free to contact me with further resources that were helpful to you. Thanks for reading! I'm so grateful for your support of survivorship.

-Trickssi

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