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Rape Crisis Hotlines Receive More Calls Following Exposure Of Ford-Kavanaugh Story

Posted at 5:37 AM, Sep 28, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-28 07:00:53-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Across Kentucky and the U.S., millions tuned in to hear Judge Brett Kavanaugh and Dr. Christine Blasey Ford.

Including at the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs in Frankfort.

“For us, the more it’s talked about the better,” said Dr. Eileen Recktenwald. “It’s an educational moment.”

Recktenwald says Kentucky rape crisis centers hear stories such as Ford’s every day.

And since Ford’s story hit the news cycle, Kentucky survivor hotlines have seen an increase in calls. Both from survivors finally coming forward and others re-triggered by the news cycle.

“They could go back and re-live their own experience, they could have trouble sleeping, they could experience anxiety.”

Nationally, it’s much of the same.

On Thursday, RAINN, a national survivor hotline, announced a 147 percent spike in calls.

Recktenwald says regardless of how the Ford-Kavanaugh story plays out in Washington, it presents an opportunity to offer encouragement and services for all survivors and their supporters.

“The educational component of it and the support the victims can receive through this, through her efforts, are a gift.”

If you are a survivor seeking help for the first time, or someone struggling with the news coverage, there are 13 sexual assault programs in the state of Kentucky.

Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass is based in Lexington. They can be reached at 859-253-2511.

You can also call the 24/7 national hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).