Victim / Survivor Support

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is a self-help organization of men and women who were sexually abused by spiritual elders (Catholic priests, brothers, nuns, ministers, teachers, etc.). Members find healing and empowerment by joining with other survivors. They are an all-volunteer group with several chapters in the United States. They have a very active on-line email support group with members from throughout the world. The web site exists to provide support and knowledge to all victims of clergy abuse, promote the SNAP email support list and provide links to other helpful information. Toll free number is 877-762-7432.

SOAR’s mission is to provide education and support regarding the totality of the crime of rape. This includes all aspects of the trauma to its survivors, significant others, as well as society as a whole. Their goal is to increase awareness and acceptance of its victims and to make a safe pathway through the medical and criminal justice communities and the healing process. They achieve this goal by providing presentations from the survivor’s perspective.

Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute, Inc. is a nonprofit organization of international scope exclusively focused on educating patients, healthcare providers, and the public about recovery from traumatic stress (including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Sidran develops and delivers books and videotapes, assessment and teaching tools, and educational programs customized to meet the needs of specific consumer and professional populations. Sidran collaborates with other nonprofit organizations, private providers, government agencies (local, county, state, and federal), media and industry to raise the level of understanding and competence in regard to traumatic stress conditions.

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) operates a 24-hour hotline for victims of sexual assault. Callers are routed automatically to the closest member rape crisis center for counseling. More than 890 centers participate in the network.

The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Alliance is a group of professional and advocacy organizations that have joined forces to provide educational resources to individuals diagnosed with PTSD and their loved ones; those at risk for developing PTSD; and medical, healthcare and other frontline professionals. The PTSD Alliance includes four national organizations that represent healthcare issues related to PTSD; including trauma-related stress, women’s healthcare and anxiety disorders. These organizations are the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Anxiety Disorders Association of America, The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute.

The National Runaway Switchboard gives help and hope to youth and their families by providing non-judgmental, confidential crisis intervention and local and national referrals through a 24-hour hotline.

The National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) is an organization developed to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. NCVC is dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime. Through the Victim Services Unit, they operate a nationwide, toll-free helpline, offering information, referrals, written materials and advocacy to crime victims, service providers and other professionals. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, between 8:30 AM and 8:30 PM Eastern Standard Time.