If You Need Help Right Now
If you or someone you love is in immediate danger, call 911. If you are struggling and need to talk to someone this moment, these free, confidential, 24/7 lines are here for you:- RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (1-800-656-HOPE), free, confidential, and available 24/7. You can also chat online at online.rainn.org.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988, free, confidential, and available 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress or crisis.
- Pennsylvania ChildLine: 1-800-932-0313: Pennsylvania’s 24/7 hotline to report suspected child abuse.
National Resources
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual-violence organization. Its hotline (1-800-656-4673) and secure online chat (online.rainn.org) connect you with a trained staff member, confidentially and at no cost. This includes referrals to local support, medical care, and counseling. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available any time you need someone to talk to, by call or text at 988.Pennsylvania Resources
PA ChildLine (1-800-932-0313) is the Commonwealth’s round-the-clock line for reporting suspected child abuse. The Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect (PCAR) supports a statewide network of local sexual-assault centers that offer free, confidential counseling, advocacy, and support groups in communities across Pennsylvania. You can ask RAINN or your county for help finding the center nearest you. Your local center can also accompany you to medical or legal appointments if and when you want that support.What to Expect Emotionally
There is no single “right” way to feel, and no timeline you are supposed to follow. Survivors carry many different emotions; many wait years or decades before telling anyone. That is normal, and it does not change what happened or whether you deserve support. Reaching out for help is not a commitment to anything else; it is simply a step toward feeling less alone. You set the pace.What to Expect Legally
Understanding your legal options is something you can do gently, on your own terms, and entirely separately from getting emotional support. A civil case is different from a criminal one: it lets a survivor hold an abuser and the institution that enabled the abuse accountable, and it does not require a criminal charge or conviction. You do not need to have reported the abuse when it happened. Pennsylvania has specific time limits for these claims, and they have changed in recent years, so the most reliable way to know where you stand is a free, confidential conversation, not a guess from a website.Your Privacy and Your Pace
Anything you share with us is confidential, and you decide how much to say and when. Talking to a resource line, a counselor, or an attorney does not obligate you to anything. Whether you reach out today or simply save this page for later, support is here whenever you are ready.Frequently asked questions
What is the national sexual assault hotline number?
RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline is 1-800-656-4673 (1-800-656-HOPE). It is free, confidential, and available 24/7, and you can also chat online at online.rainn.org. A trained staff member can connect you with local support, medical care, and counseling.
How do I report child abuse in Pennsylvania?
Call Pennsylvania ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313, the state's 24/7 hotline for reporting suspected child abuse. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 first.
Who can I call if I am in crisis right now?
Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 — it is free, confidential, and available 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress. For sexual-assault-specific support, call RAINN at 1-800-656-4673. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Is it too late to get help if the abuse happened years ago?
No. Many survivors wait years or decades before reaching out, and support is available no matter how much time has passed. Emotional support has no deadline, and your legal options may still be open too — a free, confidential conversation can tell you where you stand.
Will reaching out for help cost anything or obligate me to anything?
No. The hotlines listed here are free and confidential, and a consultation with Survivors of Abuse PA is free with no obligation. Reaching out for support does not commit you to taking any legal action.
Serving sexual abuse survivors across Pennsylvania
Ashley DiLiberto represents survivors statewide. Explore help in your area:
