Resources

SEX-TRAFFICKING:
TO REPORT SUSPECTED HUMAN/SEX TRAFFICKING:
1-866-347-2423

TO GET HELP FROM THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESOURCE CENTER
1-888-373-78881)

COURAGE HOUSE  
A safe-haven for sex-trafficked minors 
Contact: 916-517-1616
http://courageworldwide.org/courage-house/courage-house-norcal

Loaves and fishes
Without passing judgment, and in a spirit of love and hospitality, Loaves & Fishes feeds the hungry and shelters the homeless. We provide an oasis of welcome, safety, and cleanliness for homeless men, women and children seeking survival services.
http://www.sacloaves.org/location

St. John’s Shelter 
Program for Women and Children assists families in transitioning from crisis to self-sustainability. Families begin their journey in the structured environment at the shelter, developing the vision, hope, road map and the tools to break the cycle of dependence.
http://www.stjohnsshelter.org

Crisis center phones numbers throughout California
http://suicidehotlines.com/california.html

Mercy Ministries
If you are a young woman who’s hopeless, desperate and hurting, I am telling you today that there is an answer! Freedom and restoration are possible…freedom from tough issues such as sexual abuse, eating disorders, cutting, addictions, unplanned pregnancy, sex trafficking and more.
http://www.mercyministries.org/who_we_are/about/

Celebrate Recovery 
offers a way to move forward beyond your hurts, habits and hang ups by giving you the tools needed to experience emotional health and peace in the midst of life’s stresses.
http://www.firstcov.org/Celebrate-Recovery/about-celebrate-recovery.html
http://www.bossonline.org/ministries/celebrate-recovery
http://destinyrocklin.com

National Suicide Hotline 
800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)

National Domestic Violence Hotline 
800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233)

National Child Abuse Hotline 
800-4-A-CHILD (800-422-4453)

If you need help finding mental health services and support in your community
National Mental Health Association Information Center:   nmha.org

WEAVE 
Primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.  Through its involvement in the Rescue & Restore Coalition, WEAVE also provides outreach and services for international and domestic victims of human trafficking.

   Counseling and Service Locations - WEAVE – Midtown
   1900 K Street
   Sacramento, CA 95811
   Phone: 916.448.2321

   Support & Information Line: 
   916.920.2952
   866.920.2952 (Toll Free)
   916.443.3715 (TDD)

National Domestic Violence Hotline 
1.800.799.7233

PTSD and Abuse: Beyond Veterans
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is most commonly thought of as a lingering effect from having served in active warzones; thus, it’s widely known as a mental illness that’s prevalent among veterans. It’s true that soldiers will often experience PTSD after service due to the trauma of war, and many go untreated or undertreated.

While the prevalence of PTSD among veterans is a serious issue in need of a prompt and robust response, it’s also important to realize that PTSD is not exclusive to the veteran population. In fact, many people will develop PTSD following an assault, abuse, or other traumas outside military service. Young girls are particularly prone to developing PTSD after abuse in the home. If a child you care about has experienced trauma, here is a little information about PTSD in children and adolescents.

Neglect is the Most Common Form of Abuse
Neglect is a form of child abuse where the child may not be physically abused but will experience a lack of basic necessities including food and love. However, this will not usually result in PTSD. More severe traumas such as sexual assault or physical abuse are much more likely to cause PTSD in children and adolescents. Neglect is more likely to trigger other mental and emotional issues such as depression or difficulty forming bonds.

The Reaction of Those around Them Plays a Role
When a child experiences trauma, those around them can have an impact on how well they handle it. If the people in their lives react strongly, fretting over the child’s wellbeing and bringing the trauma up again and again, the child is more likely to develop PTSD.On the other hand, if the child’s loved ones respond by remaining calm and stoic about the trauma, the child is more likely to recover. Of course, this should not be confused with ignoring the trauma altogether. If those around the child simply pretend the trauma never occurred, there will be other negative consequences.

The Symptoms Look Different in Children
The symptoms of PTSD in adults are fairly well-known to the public. The flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and difficulty being in public are all commonly portrayed in the media. However,  children display PTSD differently. School age children may express a lack of consideration for their future, startle much more easily, deny that a trauma occurred, and develop ADD or ADHD. Depression can also be seen in some cases.Children may also engage in play that replicates their trauma though it does not have a therapeutic effect. For example, a child that witnessed a shooting may be seen playing shooting games. Closer to their teenage years, children will begin to exhibit more adult-like symptoms of PTSD and may seem more impulsive and violent. It is always good to know the symptoms and be prepared to seek help following a traumatic event in a child’s life.If you know a child or adolescent who has been exposed to a traumatic experience, it is always best to seek help right away. If a professional evaluates the child’s mental state, treatment for any resulting problems can be addressed immediately.  However, if help was not sought immediately, be on the lookout for symptoms of PTSD. The sooner you can secure treatment for the child, the more likely they are to recover in time and overcome their circumstances to emerge from adolescence as a healthy, well-rounded adult. - Steve Johnson-Steve Johnson is passionate about helping people find reputable health and medical information across the web so he co-created PublicHealthLibrary.org, which aims to make it easier for people to find helpful health information online.