RACES and Sexual Truama

Given national events dealing with sexual assault and impassioned public clashes and arguments, people who have experienced sexual assault themselves have been struggling more with their own trauma. From the News-Gazette last Wednesday:

Rape-crisis center seeing uptick in calls in wake of Kavanaugh allegations
...
For some who have never spoken about their assaults, the flood of information and rancor becomes a trigger, and they just can't hold it in anymore, she said.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network said this week it's seen a 338 percent increase in its sexual-assault-hotline traffic since the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the accusations made by Ford against Kavanaugh.

Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional and physical effects on the survivor, the organization said. Survivors can experience depression, flashbacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexually transmitted infections, sleep disorders, pregnancy, eating disorders, self-harming behaviors and substance abuse, the organization said.

The Urbana agency's rape-crisis hotline — which is staffed around the clock, seven days a week — offers the support and affirmation victims need at that moment, Aime said. RACES also has counselors on staff for ongoing help and support after the hotline call, Aime said...

The phone number for RACES' rape-crisis hotline is 217-384-4444.

Full article here. For those who need additional help, they can direct you to resources from both local government and private organizations in the area. More information at their website and facebook page.