As the only Sexual Assault Center and Children’s Advocacy Center serving Athens-Clarke County, The Cottage exists to both facilitate healing and foster a more informed, empowered community. Through survivor support, prevention education, advocacy, and outreach, we work to challenge harmful myths, reduce barriers to care, and create spaces where people feel safe asking questions, seeking support, and learning how to help.
If you don’t even know where to begin, have questions, need guidance, or are in crisis related to sexual assault or child abuse, call our free, confidential 24/7 hotline. We can help you understand your options, talk through what you need, and connect you to the right support, even if it’s outside our services.
Sexual violence and child abuse are far more common than many people realize, yet these experiences are often surrounded by silence, misinformation, and stigma. At The Cottage, we believe education and awareness are essential to prevention, healing, and building safer communities where survivors feel believed, supported, and empowered.
1 in 9 girls and 1 in 20 boys under 18 experience sexual abuse or assault. (Rainn)
Approximately 70% of rape or sexual assault victims experience moderate to severe distress, a larger percentage than for any other violent crime. (Rainn)
94% of women who are raped experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the two weeks following the rape. (Rainn)
38% of survivors of sexual violence experience work or school problems. (Rainn)
37% of survivors experience problems with family members and friends. (Rainn)
Nearly
of women and more than
men experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetimes.
Source: CDC
About half
of female victims of rape reported being raped by an intimate partner and
by an acquaintance.
Source: NSVRC
At least
children experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year in the United States. This is likely an underestimate because many cases are unreported.
Source: CDC
LGBT people (16+) are nearly
more likely to experience violent victimization, compared to non-LGBT people.
Source: UCLA School of Law
In the United States, the total lifetime economic burden associated with child abuse and neglect was about
in 2018.
Source: CDC
Nearly
LGBTQ+ young people, roughly
reported that they had ever been forced to do “sexual things” that they did not want to do.
Source: The Trevor Project
Over
of Hispanic, almost
of non-Hispanic Black, and over
of non-Hispanic white heterosexual men experienced contact sexual violence.
Source: NSVRC
Prevention starts with informed communities. The Cottage offers trainings and educational programs for schools, workplaces, churches, organizations, and community groups. Whether you want to host a training, partner on outreach, or learn how to better support your community, we’d love to connect with you.
Finding trustworthy information matters. Our resources and educational materials are designed to help survivors, loved ones, educators, caregivers, and community members better understand sexual violence, child abuse, trauma, healing, and available support services.
Rooted in Athens since 1974, The Cottage has grown from a volunteer-run crisis hotline into a trusted community resource focused on advocacy, healing, education, and prevention. Our trauma-informed team is committed to empowering survivors with choices while fostering a safer and more informed community for everyone.
Explore stories, updates, and educational content that highlight survivor support, prevention efforts, community partnerships, and the work happening every day at The Cottage. Our blog is a place to learn, reflect, and stay connected to the conversations shaping healing and awareness in Athens.
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