How to report child sexual abuse:
If you are a victim of abuse in distress, or a victim in distress has reported to you, or a child tells you that he or she has been sexually abused, call 911
Otherwise, for more information on reporting in your area, visit ChildHelp, the National Child Abuse Hotline.
Resources and support groups:
SNAP, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests — The nation’s largest support group network for men and women sexually abused in religious and institutional settings.
MaleSurvivor — MaleSurvivor provides critical resources to male survivors of sexual trauma and all their partners in recovery by building communities of Hope, Healing, & Support.
1in6 — Helps men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences in childhood live healthier, happier lives.
Survivors of Incest Anonymous — A spiritual, self-help group for child sex abuse survivors eighteen years or older. They are guided by a set of twelve suggested steps and twelve traditions, as borrowed from AA, along with some SIA slogans and the Serenity Prayer
RAINN: The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network — Offers a twenty-four-hour crisis hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. They also offer referral and educational services, and advocacy for victims of sex crimes.
ChildHelp — Runs the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child. They also have a referral service to thousands of therapists, care providers, support groups, and services nationwide.
Darkness to Light — Offers a twenty-four hour hotline for adult survivors of child sexual abuse at 1-866-FOR-LIGHT. They also offer educational and crisis resources and information about legislation that helps victims.
The National Center for Victims of Crime — Advocates for stronger rights and services for crime victims; provides education, training and evaluation; and serves as a trusted source of current information on victims’ issues.
Articles and additional information about child predators:
What to do if your priest is accused of abuse – SNAP, The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
Eight Myths about Child Sex Predators – Leadership Council on Child Sexual Abuse
Why Predators are Attracted to Careers in the Clergy – Psychology Today
National Sex Offender Public Website – US DOJ
California’s Megan’s Law website – State of California
Database of publicly accused priests – Bishop Accountability
For me, victim is sonmoee who has just been abused and a survivor is sonmoee who is recovering from PTSD. That’s what I’ve heard said (as well as other things of course) and its the one I agree with the most. I agree that victim has all of these connotations but in some ways I think it should be used because although I agree survivor is triumphant, some people act as if abuse or rape are not a big deal and belittle the meaning and effect on people so that’s why victim works better sometimes too.