Talking and confiding in someone can be very difficult when you are a victim of sexual assault. You have to get past the fear, shame and discomfort. We are often a little confused. Remember that none of it is your fault and you have the right to get all the support you need. To ask for help, you may want to consider the following steps:
- Find someone you trust, preferably a dependable adult, and start by saying “I need to talk” or “I’d like to talk to you about something”.
- Choose a quiet place, take some time to breathe and say, “Something happened to me and it’s hard to talk about”.
- When you feel ready, explain, “I was sexually assaulted. I need help”.
- If you know what you would like the person to do for you, you might say, “I would like you to...”.
The person you confide in will probably take the next steps. It may not be easy to talk about your situation, but doing so can really help. If you are not ready to talk about it in person, you can write a letter or email. You can also contact us at any time, confidentially and free of charge. We are here to support you and your loved ones.
