Call Us Now
e-Mail Us Now
6 Community Initiatives That Can Help Maryland Sexual Abuse Survivors
Every 68 seconds, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted, and there were almost 1,900 reported rapes in Maryland in 2020 alone. These are sobering statistics, but the truth is that there are thousands of survivors dealing with the after-effects of sexual abuse across Maryland and the rest of the country. While pursuing a civil case can help survivors get some compensation for their experiences and help mitigate systemic issues that contribute to abuse, there are also several community initiatives around Maryland that can provide assistance and support.
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is a state organization dedicated to helping “prevent sexual assault, advocate for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual violence, and work to hold offenders accountable.” This federally recognized coalition was founded in 1982 and has been helping further the cause of survivors ever since. There are 17 rape crisis centers across Maryland that are members of MCASA. The coalition helps survivors directly by offering support services for mental and emotional recovery and works to change state and federal policy by raising awareness and supporting specific legislation.
Survivors seeking help can go to one of the coalition’s rape crisis centers to access confidential intervention and counseling services. MCASA also provides a list of state and federal resources where survivors can find further help.
TurnAround
TurnAround is an organization with three locations in Maryland, including Baltimore County, Howard County, and Baltimore City, that is focused on helping survivors of sexual abuse and violence, human trafficking, and intimate partner violence. It serves as a rape crisis center and offers services such as trauma therapy, community engagement and training, and advocacy work. TurnAround also operates a 24/7 crisis phone line and text line for survivors who need support.
The trauma therapy program at TurnAround can be especially beneficial for survivors who are working on mental and emotional recovery. Survivors are met with compassionate and supportive care staff who are experienced and knowledgeable in trauma-informed therapy for those who have experienced sex abuse. Individual and group therapy is available, and all of TurnAround’s therapy services are offered free of charge to provide the highest level of accessibility.
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse Support Group
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA) is an international organization that is devoted to providing support and resources to adults who experienced child abuse or neglect of any kind, including sexual abuse. ASCA’s program focuses on survivors attending regular support group meetings, which are available in person and online. The Maryland group is based out of Baltimore but meets online every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Attendees are able to stay up to 45 minutes after the meeting to ask questions or share resources with the group.
Maryland Children’s Alliance
The Maryland Children’s Alliance (MCA) is a nonprofit organization that was founded to provide support to child survivors of abuse. It focuses mainly on creating and equipping child advocacy centers (CACs) across the state. As of 2024, there were 24 child advocacy centers throughout Maryland, including one in Baltimore. CACs provide a place where child abuse, including sexual abuse, can be reported and forensic medical evaluations can be done to preserve evidence and treat child survivors. However, they also offer counseling services for survivors and emotional support services for family members to assist in recovery and healing. The staff at a CAC can also provide more information on local resources and make referrals.
Pro Bono Counseling
Pro Bono Counseling is a state-level nonprofit organization that helps those in Maryland access counseling and mental health services at no cost. Health care providers and clinicians volunteer their time to help clients, specifically focusing on those who are uninsured or underinsured and, therefore, having difficulty accessing and affording treatment. Counselors have varied professional backgrounds, but many are experienced in sexual abuse cases and are qualified to support survivors in their emotional and mental recovery. To get matched with a provider, survivors will need to participate in a short phone interview where all details will be kept confidential. Once a match has been determined, the person schedules appointments and meets directly with that provider.
Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
The Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN) is the largest organization in the nation focused on preventing sexual violence and helping survivors. RAINN takes a multipronged approach by focusing on providing support services to survivors, educating the public on sexual violence statistics and preventative measures, advocating for public policy changes, and providing consulting and training services. RAINN’s services for survivors include the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which operates on a 24/7 basis and is also open to family members of survivors who need mental or emotional support. The organization also helps to connect survivors with local support services and providers, including those throughout Maryland.
If you, your child, or another family member is a survivor of sexual abuse, it’s important to remember that you are not alone and that there are organizations that can help with the mental and emotional aspects of recovery. If you’re interested in learning more about what legal options you may have to pursue a case in the civil court system, contact Andreozzi + Foote Attorneys at Law at 866-311-8640. Our compassionate attorneys are dedicated to helping sexual abuse survivors in any way we can.
