MONROE, N.C. -- It's been hard to stay away from the coverage surrounding Brett Kavanaugh after days of discussions, hearings and media attention.

  • RAINN says the amount of calls increased by 338 percent
  • Advocates say national attention to sexual assault can detrimental to survivors
  • The number to the hotline is 800-656-HOPE

Sexual assault advocates, like Jessie Lindberg, say national attention like this can be detrimental to survivors.

Since the Senate hearings last Thursday, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network has seen an increase of 338 percent in their sexual assault hotline traffic, but Lindberg says she's nervous if people don't take the situation seriously, victims may not reach out for help.

RELATED: Senate votes to advance Kavanaugh; final vote this weekend

 “My first thought was what is this going to do to all of those victims out there that have been contemplating disclosing what happened to them,” says Jessie Lindberg.  “And also we are facing a slew of secondary trauma for these survivors. Everyone of them I can’t imagine have not been triggered in some way.”

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call 800-656-HOPE. For more information, visit RAINN's website.

 

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