What is Safe HelpRoom?

Safe HelpRoom is a group chat service that allows survivors of sexual assault in the military to connect with, and support one another in a moderated and secure online environment at SafeHelpRoom.org.  Safe Helpline's top priority is your safety. Because of that, we designed Safe HelpRoom from the ground up, so that you remain completely anonymous and your participation in a Safe HelpRoom discussion is confidential. Safe HelpRoom discussions have a moderator who can provide referrals and help keep the conversation focused on survivors' needs as well as a reviewer who ensures all participants adhere to the Ground Rules.

When is Safe HelpRoom Available?

Safe Helpline hosts topic-specific Safe HelpRoom sessions throughout the month.

Upcoming Safe HelpRoom Sessions:

• Coping After Sexual Violence - October 7th from 1900-2100 ET
• Sexual Assault Disclosure & Planning - October 10th from 1900-2100 ET
• Open Forum Support - October 21st from 1900-2100 ET
• SHR Thematic Sessions - October 24th from 1900-2100 ET

Special Men's Sessions are held on Sundays from 1300-1500 ET 
 

 

If a session is not available, you can always connect one-on-one with a Safe Helpline staff member for anonymous confidential  support via the Telephone Helpline at 877-995-5247 or the Online Helpline 24/7.

If you would like to find a responder in your local area to connect with for support, you can search for local responders via the Responders Near Me database.  

What are the Safe HelpRoom Ground Rules?

Safe HelpRoom  participants are asked to follow ground rules before entering a Safe HelpRoom session. The rules are in place to ensure the safety and anonymity of all users. If a participant violates a ground rule, the Safe Helpline staff moderator will connect with them privately to address any issues or concerns. 

• Please participate! Safe HelpRoom discussions are only productive if participants share and talk with one another
• Please do not provide any personally identifying information. This includes information like your name, address, email address, etc. This also includes information pertaining to other individuals including a perpetrator, supervisor, etc.
• Please do not request personally identifying information from other participants.
• Please refrain from using abusive, graphic or inappropriate language

The Safe HelpRoom does not provide psychological or behavioral health services. Please do not use the Safe HelpRoom as a substitute for professional healthcare.

Please note, the Safe HelpRoom is intended for participants ages 18 and older, specifically those who are Active Duty Service members in the Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Component consistent with DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Policy as well as members of the Coast Guard and Transitioning Service members.

How we made the Safe HelpRoom Secure and Anonymous:

• We do not capture your IP address once you enter the Safe HelpRoom. This means that we have no record that you were ever here.
• We do not save a transcript of Safe HelpRoom discussions. Once you close your chat window, that text is not retrievable.
• We do not allow participants to share any personally - identifying information while in a Safe HelpRoom discussion.
• Safe HelpRoom moderators have the ability to block messages that violate the Ground Rules. Messages that may be blocked or edited include those that contain personal information or inappropriate content that could be disruptive or harmful to other participants.
• While RAINN operates the Safe Helpline under contract from the Department of Defense (DoD), we will not share any personally identifying information about your visit to the Department or your chain of command, unless required by law. To learn more, visit the Terms of Service Full Text of Agreements "How We May Share Information" section.

Is Safety Guaranteed?

• No. We have taken extensive precautions to ensure your safety, but we cannot guarantee that someone will not invent a way to circumvent these protections. While we can't eliminate every risk, we have greatly minimized the risks and made it as safe to use as a telephone helpline.

• Also, keep in mind that if you are using a DoD or other work-related computer, your employer may be able to track your usage of this and other websites.

 

To help support the work of local SAPR Programs, Safe Helpline launched a new program, Local Safe HelpRoom which allows D-SAACP certified SARCs or SAPR VAs to host their own local Safe HelpRoom group chats. Once trained, local hosts can offer tailored assistance for their community with an individual topic, convenient time, specific group, and discussion structure of their choosing that best fits the needs of the local population. To learn more about becoming a Local Safe HelpRoom moderator, please visit the Local Safe HelpRoom webpage.