Phone Aid Offered Adults Who Were Abused as Children

A new 900 telephone number to help adults who were abused as children has been established by a nonprofit group in Orange County.

Nearly 90,000 cases of child abuse were reported in San Diego last year to the state Department of Social Services, said Cathie Alderson, a founder of the group Beyond Survival. Nationwide, 2.7 million cases were reported in 1990.

The trauma associated with child abuse can last into adulthood, Alderson said.

Yet, “survivors are often afraid to take the first step toward getting help and are very uncomfortable about discussing their feelings and problems,” she said. The Resource InfoLine is intended to provide information in a non-threatening way.

“The 900 line is not a hot line or a rap line,” Alderson said. The number offers callers recorded messages that vary from week to week, and provides the number for Beyond Survival for further information.

“Beyond Survival focuses on the healing process to help victims move from just surviving to a healing place ‘beyond survival,’ ” Alderson said. The group was formed in 1988 by therapists and survivors of child abuse and has offices in Laguna Beach and Irvine.

The new line (1-900-988-9808, ext. 454) offers 24-hour service daily at a charge of $2 per minute. Income from the 900 line will be applied toward an adolescent therapy fund, Alderson said.