Resources
If you’re here, I want you to know something first:
you are not alone, and what happened to you matters.
Whether you’re navigating harassment, abuse, assault, intimidation, or an experience that has left you feeling confused, hurt, or unsure of where to turn, this space is for you.
As some one who was also a victim myself I know that speaking up can be incredibly difficult. So can staying silent. You may be trying to understand what happened, wondering if your experience is valid, afraid of not being believed, or simply looking for someone who understands. Whatever brought you here, you deserve support, compassion, and access to resources that can help you take your next step.
I created this page to help women find information, support services, reporting options, and resources to help them navigate these experiences, particularly within the dive industry and other environments where speaking out can feel especially difficult.
You do not owe anyone your story. You do not have to be ready to report. You do not have to have all the answers.
Take what you need from this space, move at your own pace, and remember that you deserve to feel safe, respected, and supported.
To every woman who has spoken up, every woman who is still finding her voice, and every woman who is simply trying to make sense of what happened: I see you. I believe that your experiences deserve to be taken seriously, and I hope this space helps you feel a little less alone.
We are stronger when we stand together. You deserve to be heard, and you deserve support.
You are not alone. We are here for each other.
Need Help Right Now?
National Sexual Assault Hotline · United States
800-656-4673
Call for free, confidential support, 24/7.
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Text: HOPE to 64673
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Online chat: hotline.rainn.org
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Website: rainn.org
You can contact them even if you're unsure whether to report an assault. You don't have to share your story publicly to get support.
Understanding Your Experience
Harassment, sexual assault, coercion, grooming, abuse of power, stalking, intimidation, and retaliation can take many forms. Sometimes, it can be difficult to understand what happened or find the words to describe it. If you've experienced something that left you feeling violated, pressured, or unsafe, you are not alone. You don't need to label your experience or be ready to report it to deserve support. Explore the resources below to better understand your experience and learn about your options.
Reporting & Legal Options
Expeditions are held all over the world
Here are some of the common places for expeditions and their
Support services by country
Mexico
Línea de las Mujeres
Phone: 079, option 1
The Mexican government's women's support line provides free, confidential guidance and assistance for women experiencing violence. The government describes it as operating 24 hours a day, year-round.
Norway
Phone: 800 57 000
A helpline for people affected by sexual abuse, including relatives of survivors.
Website: https://www.helsenorge.no/en/psykisk-helse/violence-and-abuse/
The Bahamas
Phone: (242) 328-0922
WhatsApp textline: (242) 565-9633
Supports survivors of rape, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and other forms of abuse. Offers counseling, advocacy, and legal assistance.
Tonga
Phone: (+676) 22-240
Provides counseling, refuge, and advocacy for survivors of rape, sexual assault, and other forms of violence.
Women and Children Crisis Centre
Website: wccctonga.com
Indonesia
Phone: 129
WhatsApp: 08111-129-129
Indonesia's government service handles reports of violence against women and children, including sexual violence, and provides information about assistance and protection options.
laporsapa129.kemenpppa.go.id
Website: laporsapa129.kemenpppa.go.id
French Polynesia
Te Rama Ora
Phone: (+689) 40 43 20 41​
Website: https://www.infirmiers.pf/groupe-de-parole-a-destination-des-victimes-de-violences-sexuelles/
Lets find a safe space for women in the ocean:
Some wOMEN-LED EXPEDITONS:
Janelle Van Ruiten:
janellevanruiten.com
-Women-only ocean retreats internationally
Girls Gays and Rays:
https://www.girlsgaysandrays.org/bimini
-A non-profit running expeditions exclusively for women and the queer community.
Cassie Jensen:
https://www.cassiejensenphotography.com/expeditions
-Women led expeditions in Tonga and The Bahamas
Ocean Galz:
-Women led expeditions, and freediving company
Kayleigh Grant:
http://kaimanaoceansafari.com/
- Women led expeditions and ocean safaris based in Kona, Hawaii
Andrianna Fragola:
@andriana_marine
- Women led expeditions internationally and shark guide on Oahu, Hawaii
Ana Hernandez:
https://www.destinosentreazules.com/
- Women led Spanish International expeditions
Eva Julia:
Bluevagabonds.com
-Led by Eva as a coed team international expeditions
Salty Souls Freediving Club:
@saltysoulsfreediving
-Women-led Freediving in La Ventana and Expeditions
Kori Burkhardt:
https://www.ladysharkexpeditions.com/
-Women-led Expeditions in French Polynesia
Gabby Black Girl Blue World:
https://www.blackgirlblueworld.com/
Women led Expeditions internationally focusing on the black community
but inclusive to all as well as occasional women only trips!
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Before you book, check these resources
Choosing the right guide or expedition operator is about more than finding an incredible experience or following someone with a large social media following. A large Instagram following does not automatically mean someone is qualified, experienced, or capable of keeping you safe.
Before booking a dive trip, liveaboard, or adventure expedition, take the time to do your research. Look into the guide’s qualifications, certifications, experience, safety procedures, and professional reputation. Read reviews from multiple sources, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to request proof of credentials or clarification about how the trip is operated. Pay attention to how your questions are answered. A responsible, professional operator should welcome reasonable questions about safety and experience.
Be mindful of red flags, including pressure to book quickly, vague answers about qualifications, poor communication, a lack of clear safety protocols, or dismissive reactions when you raise concerns. If something doesn’t feel right, give yourself permission to pause, investigate further, or walk away.
Your safety should always come before the destination, the price, or the opportunity to have an unforgettable experience. Do your research, ask questions, trust your instincts, and choose a guide whose qualifications, conduct, and commitment to your well-being you can feel confident in. You are investing in an experience, but you should never have to compromise your safety to have it.
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FOLLOW ALONG FOR GUIDES TO AVOID:
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Online Therapy & Mental Health Support
You don’t have to navigate healing alone. Whether you’re processing sexual harassment, assault, abuse, or another traumatic experience, sometimes speaking with a qualified mental health professional can help you work through what happened in a supportive environment.
Finding the right therapist matters. If possible, look for someone with experience in trauma-informed care, sexual violence, PTSD, or abuse recovery. You deserve to feel heard, respected, and supported without being pressured to share more than you’re ready to.
The resources below can help you find online therapists, explore trauma-specific support, and identify more affordable options.
Find an Online Therapist
1. RAINN — Trauma-Informed Therapy Resources
Guidance for survivors of sexual violence on finding a therapist who understands trauma and recovery.
2. Psychology Today — Find a Therapist
Search a large directory of mental health professionals by location, specialty, insurance, and online therapy availability.
Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists
3. Open Path Psychotherapy Collective — Affordable Therapy
A directory offering reduced-cost therapy options for eligible clients, including online sessions.
Website: https://openpathcollective.org/find-a-therapist/
4. Inclusive Therapists -Inclusive Mental Health Care
Find mental health professionals who emphasize inclusive, culturally responsive care.
Website: https://www.inclusivetherapists.com/
Before You Book
Check the therapist’s qualifications and professional license, ask about their experience working with survivors, and confirm they can legally provide online therapy where you live. Ask about fees, confidentiality, and whether they offer an introductory consultation.
You deserve support at your own pace. You don’t need to have all the answers, report what happened, or be ready to talk about everything to ask for help.
