The Aurora Health Care Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline says calls for service have doubled in recent weeks during the Supreme Court hearings of Judge Brett Kavanaugh.
Managers say once the allegations against Kavanaugh and later testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford made their way into the headlines, the calls went from two a day to four or more.
"They've certainly mentioned 'I was watching the hearing today'... It's something that they'll mention and lead into why they are calling certainly," Healing and Advocacy services manager Nicky Glaser said.
Glaser says seeing the hearings on television can work both ways for survivors. "It can be empowering. Some people maybe they're a survivor they've gotten the support they need. And hearing this now makes them want to act."
But the constant banter about the Kavanaugh hearings in the media can traumatize some victims again. "For some it could be revictimizing because they're hearing more about it and maybe they're revisiting their own trauma history," Glaser said.
The Aurora Healthcare Crisis Hotline can be reached 24/7 at 414-219-5555 or you can visit their website for other advocacy tools.
