Sexual assault, sexual abuse and rape

Helplines
​Local resources
Helpful websites
Our other resource pages

Approximately 44 percent of people who are survivors of sexual assault are under the age of 18 (Bureau of Justice Statistics). Due to the violence that often accompanies a rape or sexual assault, it is important to go to the emergency room to be examined for injuries. At the hospital, a social worker will discuss your options, including that of evidence collection. Because of this, it is helpful to not shower, clean up or change clothes before having an exam, as doing so may remove any remaining evidence. Additionally, the doctor can discuss medications that are available to reduce the chances of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or getting pregnant. If you are under the age of 18, the law requires the police to be notified. However, going to the hospital and submitting a report does not necessarily mean that charges must be filed against the perpetrator or that participation in a legal case must occur. Counselors can talk about available alternatives and help you decide what the best choice is going to be for you. ​

To report child abuse or neglect, please call 911 AND Children's Protective Services at 360.993.7901 (8 am to 5 pm on weekdays) or the End Harm Line at 1.866.562.5624 (after hours).

Questions you'll be asked when you call:

• The name, address and age of the child.
• The name and address of the child's parent, guardian or other persons having custody of the child.
• The nature and extent of the abuse or neglect.
• Any evidence of previous incidences.
• Any other information which may be helpful in establishing the cause of the child's abuse or neglect and the identity of the perpetrator.

You do not need to have all of the above information when you call to make a report, but the more accurate information you can provide, the better equipped they will be to assess the child's safety.

Have you:

• Felt pressured, forced or manipulated into being sexual or having sex with someone you know or someone you are romantically interested in?
• Been touched by a family member, adult friend or anyone else and it made you feel uncomfortable, unhappy or confused?
• Traded sex or sexual acts in exchange for drugs, food, shelter, money or anything you felt you needed to survive?

If so, please reach out to us or any of these resources because you might be a survivor of sexual assault, date rape, sexual exploitation or sex trafficking. You are an incredibly strong and amazing person, and we want to make sure you are safe.

 

Helplines

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (24/7)

1.800.843.5678

If you have information about a missing child or suspected child sexual exploitation, please call to report it.

National Human Trafficking Hotline (24/7)

1.888.373.7888

A national, anti-trafficking hotline and resource center serving victims and survivors of human trafficking and the anti-trafficking community in the United States.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) (24/7)

1.800.656.4673 
Online chat

Get confidential support from trained staff members, including having a listening ear to talk to and someone to help answer questions you might have regarding seeking medical attention, legal issues and more.

YWCA Clark County: Sexual Assault Crisis Line

360.695.0501
Toll-free: ​1.800.695.0167

Provides 24-hour legal, medical and emotional support to survivors of sexual assault and their families. Also offers advocacy, support groups, counseling, community outreach and education opportunities. 

 

Local resources

Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program

Children's Home Society - Vancouver Family Resource Center
309 W 12th St, Vancouver
360.695.1325

​Children's Home Society - East County Family Resource Center
​1702 "C" St, Washougal
360.835.7802

Specialized counseling for survivors of sexual assault.

Washington Trafficking Help

If you're a survivor of sex trafficking and need support and services, this website shows where you can get different services by type and location, including survivor support services, education/employment, health, housing and more.

Teen Girl Sexual Assault Support Group

YWCA Clark County
3609 Main St, Vancouver
​360.906.9151

Weekly group held at YWCA for youth, ages 13-17, who are survivors of sexual assault. Free and confidential. Snacks provided. Please call for meeting times.

 

Helpful websites

​​Recognizing the signs

RAINN: Warning signs for teens

Learn the signs that a teen may have been sexually abused, may be in an abusive relationship or may being sexually harassed online.

Shared Hope International: Report trafficking

Learn the signs that someone may be being sexually trafficked and the behaviors and characteristics pimps/traffickers exhibit.

Supporting a survivor

RAINN: Tips for talking with survivors of sexual assault

Learn examples of what to say and do in the moment as someone confides in you about their experience, and what to say and do to continually support them.

 

Our other resource pages

Visit our Dating resources page to learn about healthy and unhealthy relationships:

Dating

Visit our Counseling and Health Care resource pages for local agencies that can professionally support you through this trauma:

Counseling

Health Care

Visit our Mental Health resources page for information about how to talk to your parents/caregivers if you think you need a therapist, and how to find the right one:

Mental Health

Visit our Mental Health and Suicide Prevention resource pages if you are self-injuring (Mental Health) or are considering dying by suicide:

Mental Health

Suicide Prevention