King County Sexual Assault Resource Center

Twenty years ago, a woman began experiencing flashbacks of sexual abuse by her father, which she initially struggled to accept due to the lack of visual clarity in her memories. After confiding in her husband, she was met with disbelief, deepening her internal conflict. Despite evidence of her fa...

Life can be particularly challenging for those who have experienced sexual assault, leading many to seek safety in withdrawal and isolation. An author recounts her childhood, marked by abuse from family members, which instilled a deep sense of fear and mistrust. This isolation was a coping mechan...

The KCSARC Youth Advisory Council (YAC) has introduced its 2025 cohort, comprising motivated teens from King County dedicated to preventing sexual violence. Each member shared their motivations for joining and a fun fact about themselves:

Dando Voz (Giving Voice) is a program dedicated to supporting Latinx survivors through a variety of services, including a support line, advocacy, and therapy. Staffed by bilingual and bicultural providers, the program aims to empower survivors and their families with essential resources for heali...

The HBO documentary “Surviving Ohio State” highlights the often-overlooked experiences of male survivors, particularly college-aged male athletes, in the context of sexual assault. The film emphasizes the need for a shift in narrative, showcasing how these athletes, usually perceived as perpetrat...

From a decade of trauma and abuse, a woman recounts her journey from fear to freedom. After escaping an abusive partner, she faced ongoing harassment even while he was in prison. Struggling with heroin addiction, she realized her substance abuse was a symptom of deeper mental health issues. With ...

People often remain silent about abuse for various reasons—not solely fear or shame, but sometimes out of love and the desire to protect their family. Alexandra Jayne recounts her experience of being sexually abused by her biological father from a young age, believing it was normal until educatio...

By the time counseling began with KCSARC, the author had struggled for over a decade with the aftermath of sexual assault. Recent life changes, including a move and a new job, triggered overwhelming anxiety linked to past trauma. Despite attempts to cope, social situations became increasingly dif...

At the age of 14, a survivor experienced sexual assault by her boyfriend but did not recognize it as such until years later. Despite being educated and politically aware, she grappled with cognitive dissonance, believing that not saying “no” equated to consent. Her abuser continued to harass her,...

KCSARC reaffirms its commitment to serving all survivors of sexual assault, particularly those from marginalized communities, following a decision by a national organization to limit resource referrals. Acknowledging that these communities face higher risks of sexual assault and often struggle to...