If you are currently being abused and need help now

1. Don’t let your fears stop you from telling someone.
   It’s normal to feel afraid.




2. Tell someone you trust.
   This might be a member of your family, a friend, a minister, a counselor, a therapist, an attendant, a manager of attendant services. It might be a staff person at an Independent Living Centre, the local AAC clinic or rehabilitation center.
   
   If the person you tell doesn’t understand or doesn’t believe you, tell someone else. Keep going until you find someone who understands and is willing to help.
   
   If you tell a health care worker or a staff person the name of the alleged abuser, he or she may legally have to tell someone else.




3. If the abuse is happening now, or if you feel that you are in danger, you should contact the police or a sexual assault care center. You may want to ask the person you trust to contact them on your behalf.
   
   It is very important that you have someone you know and trust who can assist you in communicating with the police. Most police and lawyers are not familiar communicating with someone who uses AAC.




4. Get support from a counselor, or an advocate. Be prepared to support the counselor in knowing how you communicate or bring someone you trust to the first few appointments.




5. Get information about your options and ask for support if you need it. For example:

• Talking to someone about the abuse


• Making a formal complaint to the manager of an agency


• Taking legal action


• Not wanting person to work with you again


• Wanting to move to a safe place

Don’t let your fears stop you from speaking out.

You have the right to be safe.