Safe Exit

You Are Not Alone

For Survivors and Those Who Care for Them, Safe Guidance Starts Here

This page is here to provide clear information, compassionate guidance, and trusted resources. Whether you are a survivor, a loved one, or an ally, our goal is to help you recognize abuse, understand its impacts, and find the support you deserve.

What Is Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse is any unwanted sexual activity where consent is not freely given. It includes acts such as sexual assault, exploitation, harassment, and coercion. Abuse can happen to people of any age, gender, or background, and it can be committed by strangers, acquaintances, partners, or even trusted authority figures.

If you have experienced sexual abuse, know this: it was not your fault. Responsibility always lies with the abuser.

What Are the Warning Signs of Sexual Abuse?

Abuse isn’t always easy to see. The signs can be physical, behavioral, or emotional, and they may look different depending on someone’s age or circumstances. Knowing what to watch for can help survivors get the support they need sooner.

Physical Signs

  • Unexplained injuries or pain
  • Sudden difficulty walking or sitting
  • Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
  • Decline in physical health without clear reason

Behavioral Signs

  • Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities once enjoyed
  • Increased anxiety, depression, or sudden mood swings
  • Regression in children (e.g., bedwetting, thumb-sucking)
  • Risk-taking behavior or substance use in teens and adults
  • Reluctance to be around certain people or places

Emotional Signs

  • Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, or self-blame
  • Heightened fearfulness or a constant sense of danger
  • Emotional numbness or detachment from others
  • Difficulty trusting people, especially authority figures
  • Sudden drop in self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness

The Lasting Impact of Abuse

The effects of sexual abuse can be long-lasting, but healing is possible. Survivors may experience what experts call “toxic stress,” which can impact the brain, body, and relationships.

  • In childhood, abuse may affect learning, concentration, and trust.
  • As teens or adults, survivors may struggle with relationships, intimacy, or self-esteem.
  • Over time, impacts can shift, resurface, or ease with proper support.


It’s important to remember: healing is not a straight line. With the right resources, survivors can move forward and reclaim their lives.

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The Reality of Sexual Abuse in Numbers

Sexual abuse is more widespread than most realize. These numbers represent real people and real stories:

1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a survivor of child sexual abuse

Source

Every 74 seconds, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted

Source

An estimated 17.7 million American women have been sexually assaulted

Source

54% of sexual violence survivors in the U.S. are ages 18–34

Source

1 in 33 men has experienced attempted or completed rape

Source

68.5% of sexual assaults occur near the survivor’s home or a relative’s home

Source

Discover the Support You Deserve

Connect with Others Who Understand

Reaching out for help can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through this alone. Below are trusted hotlines and organizations offering confidential support:

Hotlines

National Sexual Assault Hotline

800.656.HOPE (4673) Or Text HOPE to 64673 Or rainn.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline

thehotline.org

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

childhelphotline.org

DoD Safe Helpline (for military survivors)

safehelpline.org

National Human Trafficking Hotline

humantraffickinghotline.org

Mental Health & Support

SAMHSA

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services samhsa.gov/find-support

Mental Health America

Finding Help Guide mhanational.org/finding-help

American Psychiatric Association

Find a Psychiatrist finder.psychiatry.org/s

NAMI

National Alliance on Mental Illness Support Groups nami.org/Support-Education/Support-Groups

AACAP

Child & Adolescent Psychiatry aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Resources/CAP_Finder.aspx

Advocacy & Survivor Organizations

End Sexual Violence

National Alliance endsexualviolence.org

Rise

Protecting Civil Rights of Sexual Abuse Survivors risenow.us

Joyful Heart Foundation

Survivor Support joyfulheartfoundation.org

1in6

Resources for Male Survivors 1in6.org

Womankind

Resources for AAPI Survivors iamwomankind.org/get-help

CLUES

Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio
clues.org/services/survivor-advocacy-and-support

If you are in immediate danger, call 911
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A safe exit, also known as an emergency exit, is a quick way to exit a website by replacing the current page with a neutral one i.e. Google.

If you need to leave this site quickly, you can use the Emergency Exit button at the bottom. This will redirect to a neutral page (such as Google).

If you are concerned that someone may be monitoring your internet activity, consider using a trusted computer or device at a library, friend’s house, or workplace. You are not alone — there are safe ways to seek support.

How to Delete Browsing History

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