“Why did it take you so long?” That’s what sexual assault survivors hear all too often. At Safe Horizon, we never ask that question. Instead, we say something far more important: I believe you. We know that Trauma Takes Time.
- The brain and body process trauma on their own timetable. Readiness to come forward can take months, years, and even decades.
- There are many reasons survivors of sexual assault may wait to come forward. When survivors do come forward, it’s often because the silence is taking a terrible toll on their lives.
- At Safe Horizon, when someone tells us, “I was sexually assaulted and no one believes me,” we’re often the first people to say, “We believe you.”
Survivors need to pursue justice on their timeline, however today’s law in New York State is out of synch with the science we know about why Trauma Takes Time. That’s why we’re fighting for this crucial new legislation in New York: the Adult Survivor’s Act (ASA).
Right now, the short statute of limitations that most adult survivors face means many have nowhere to go to hold their abusers accountable. But together, we can change that. Will you join us and stand with survivors?
