Support for Survivors

You can choose to get support wherever and whenever you are ready. There are many free, local organizations that specifically serve survivors in the community.

This means you can receive support even if:

  • You're not sure if what you experienced is abuse or an assault
  • You don't have money to pay for therapy or an attorney
  • You have not filed a report with the police and don't plan to
  • You have not told anyone about what happened
  • You don't have any evidence of what happened
  • The person who is hurting you is well-respected
  • You just moved here from a different part of the state, country, or moved here from another country
  • You do not want to get separated or divorced from your partner
  • You still love the person who is harming you
  • You just started classes
  • You are an international student
  • You don't speak English very well
  • You don't want to file an official Title IX report
  • You are not a woman
  • You are not heterosexual or cisgender
  • Your harmdoer is female
  • The incident or abuse happened a long time ago
  • You don't have legal documentation to be in this country
  • You were never physically abused or hurt

Accessing Community Resources

Most community organizations serving survivors require you to call their 24/7 helpline to first get connected to support. National organizations such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline, RAINN (for survivors of sexual violence), LoveIsRespect (for survivors of dating violence) and Victim Connect (for survivors of all types of violence and harm, including stalking) also offer online chat options and text options for support.

If you are unable to contact a helpline because your phone or computer is being monitored, you can use a phone in the Center for Transformational Wellness’ office (Main Campus - SA 122). For more information about safety in accessing resources using technology, please review Safety Net's survivor toolkit.

After you make a call and get connected to an organization, you will probably be connected to a specific person or advocate who will be your regular point of contact for any concerns or needs you have. From then on, it is best to directly contact that advocate for any needs or concerns you have. However, if you have any needs or concerns that need to be addressed immediately, we recommend calling the organization's 24/7 helpline. Also, if you cannot contact your advocate, you may call the 24/7 helpline for your organization. Many organizations serving survivors have staff leave the organization and new advocates join reguarly, so you may need to be assigned to a new advocate.

Advocates are people who work at a domestic violence or sexual assault organization who:

  • Have received state certified training in their area of expertise
  • Ask for your consent in every interaction – they will not provide a resource or support unless you indicate you want it
  • Do not pressure you to do things you don’t want to do (such as file a police report)
  • Listen non-judgmentally about the challenges you are experiencing and your emotions
  • Help you problem-solve issues or concerns you are experiencing
  • Connect you with community resources related to safety needs, housing, legal support, support groups, mental health therapy, basic needs, and whatever else you need as a result of your circumstances

List of Off-Campus Organizations Serving Survivors

Most local agencies have restrictions around who they can support due to the funding they receive. Some agencies only serve survivors of intimate partner violence (violence and coercion occuring in a relationship with an ongoing romatic and/or sexual partner), while others only serve survivors of sexual assault (unwanted/nonconsensual sexual contact with whom the survivor doesn't have a previous romantic or marital history). Some agencies only serve survivors currently living in King County and others only in Pierce County. There are also many local agencies that provide support services that are specifically tailored to the unique cultural and/or life experiences of survivors from particular communities. If you’re ever unsure which organization you can call, you can always contact national hotlines or visit the Center for Transformational Wellness and a staff member will direct you to the right resource for your situation.

List of All Organizations Serving Survivors in Washington State

National Hotlines
Local Organizations

National Hotline
Local Organizations

*Most identity-specific organizations do not offer 24/7 helplines. Ones that do offer 24/7 support are highlighted below: