The books I write focus on life issues that affect teens and adults. This page has a variety of resources that readers can find helpful. PIECES OF US deals with digital abuse, sexual abuse, and dating violence. The sites below detail how you can find help if you or someone you know is dealing with these issues. INCONVENIENT deals with parental alcoholism. At the bottom of this page, you can find helpful resources if you or someone you know is affected by a substance abuser.

Digital Abuse (according to the 2009 AP/MTV study) is “writing something online that wasn’t true, sharing information that a person didn’t want shared, writing something mean, spreading false rumors, threatening physical harm, impersonation, spying, posting embarrassing photos or video, being pressured to send naked photos, being teased, and encouraging people to hurt themselves.” If you or someone you know has been a victim you will find the below sites helpful.

1. That’s Not Cool (www.thatsnotcool.com)

This site focuses on all areas of digital abuse. It also provides information to stand up to the bullying, additional resources, and opportunity to chat with others who have been digitally abused.

2. A Thin Line (www.athinline.org)

MTV’s A Thin Line campaign “was developed to empower teens to identify, respond to, and stop the spread of digital abuse in their life and amongst their peers.” The site provides information where to get help, what to do if you’re being digitally abused, share your story, and get involved in stopping digital abuse.

3. Wired Safety (www.wiredsafety.org)

Wired Safety is an online safety and help group. It has information on a variety of digital abuse, including sexting, sextortion, and cyberbullying and what to do if you or someone you know is a victim. By May 2012, they will include a teen hotline with teens, providing assistance.

If you or someone you know has been sexually abused:

1. RAINN: Rape, Abuse, and Incest, National Network (www.rainn.org)

RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization

Call the hotline at 1800-656-HOPE or visit the online hotline at https://ohl.rainn.org/online/

2. After Silence (www.aftersilence.org)

After Silence provides support for rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse survivors via message boards and chatrooms.

3. Pandora’s Project (www.pandorasaquarium.org)

Pandora’s Project provides online support, education and resources to sexual violence survivors and their supporters with an online support group, message board, blog, and chatroom. It also offers a Sexual Assault Lending Library, which lends materials on sexual violence and recovery, free of charge.

4. Male Survivor: National Organization Against Male Sexual Victimization (www.malesurvivor.org)

Information and referrals for male survivors of sexual assault and the professionals working with them. There are referrals to local resources, discussion board, chatroom, newsletter, and online bulletin board.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive dating relationship:

1. loveisrespect (www.loveisrespect.org)

Loveisrespect is a National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline and a 24-hour resource that can be accessed by phone (1-866-331-9474 & 1-866-331-8453 TTY) or the internet, specifically designed for teens and young adults. The Helpline and online site offer real-time one-on-one support from trained Peer Advocates. There are also quizzes, information on what to do about dating rumors, how to determine if you are in an abusive relationship, etc.

2. The National Center for Victims of Crime

The Dating Violence Resource Center (http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_DatingViolenceResourceCenter101) portion provides information to determine if a relationship is abusive, how to seek help if you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, a hotline and additional resources (like how to create your own teen outreach project to raise dating violence awareness).

3. The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) (www.ncavp.org/AVPs/default.aspx)

The NCAVP is “a coalition of programs that document and advocate for victims of anti-LGBT and anti-HIV/AIDS violence/harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, police misconduct and other forms of victimization.” The site addresses a variety of violence issues against the LGBT community and also provides a comprehensive list of local anti-violence organizations to contact for help.

Alcohol Related Resources and Communities:

Alateen- This organization offers help to teens who have been affected by a loved one’s drinking.
Miracles in Progress- This is an online support group for teens affected by a loved one’s drinking.
JACS Teen Network- Support group for Jewish teens affected by a loved one’s drinking or drug abuse.