If you or a loved one suffered the trauma of a sex crime in Los Angeles, help is available. You can reach out and utilize resources that exist in Southern California to help survivors with the physical, mental and legal sides of a sexual assault crime. Below are some of the local resources and support options available for sexual abuse victims in LA County.
National Sexual Assault Hotline
The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-656-4673. This hotline is confidential and anonymous. It puts sexual assault survivors and abuse victims in touch with professionals who are trained to offer emergency assistance as well as counseling and guidance during each step toward recovery.
Rape Crisis Centers
Sexual assault victims must go to specific hospitals in Los Angeles to obtain medical evaluations known as sexual assault forensic exams within the first five days of the attack. These exams can collect physical and DNA evidence from the victim’s person that can be submitted to the police, if desired, to support a criminal case against a perpetrator.
Locations for these exams in Los Angeles include the LAC-DHS, Long Beach Community Hospital, San Gabriel Valley Hospital, Little Company of Mary (Torrance), Presbyterian Community Hospital (Whittier), Antelope Valley Hospital, Citrus Valley Medical Center (West Covina) and Pomona Valley Medical Center.
Audrey Hepburn CARES Center
The Audrey Hepburn CARES Center provides services to child victims of sexual abuse in Los Angeles. It is a hospital with a team of experienced doctors and professionals who have training in child abuse and behavioral and developmental pediatrics. This community-based program provides comprehensive mental and physical health services to child sexual abuse victims. Phone number: (323) 660-2450. Address: 4650 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles 90027.
YMCA of Greater Los Angeles
The local YMCA chapter in Los Angeles offers a sexual assault crisis service to victims of child sexual abuse. This resource includes a 24-hour crisis hotline and offers accompaniment to hospitals for children who require sexual assault forensic exams. Phone number: (877) 943-5778. Address: 1020 S. Olive Street, 7th Floor, Los Angeles 90015.
LA County Department of Children and Family Services
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services helps promote child safety and well-being. It is a government agency that provides emergency response to sexual assault victims 24 hours a day. The Department will send an officer to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse and may take action to intervene to protect a child in danger. Phone number to report suspected child sexual abuse: (800) 540-4000.
Sexual Abuse Victim Support Groups in Los Angeles
There are a number of support groups and licensed therapists and counselors available in Los Angeles County to help survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault. Many support groups are tailored to specific people, such as male vs. female victims. Research some of the options near you to determine which is right for your unique needs, goals and situation. Many offer virtual as well as in-person meetings.
Sexual Assault Legal Counseling and Representation
The law firm of Manly Stewart & Finaldi helps sexual abuse survivors understand and protect their legal rights. We are the nation’s leading sexual assault and abuse plaintiff’s law firm, with billions won on behalf of clients. We represent victims in many different types of sexual abuse cases, including clergy sexual abuse, school sexual abuse, and sports sexual abuse. Contact our dedicated sexual abuse lawyers today at contact us to request a free and confidential case consultation