ENCINITAS -- An Encinitas teenager has turned to the Internet to provide support and comfort to sexual assault victims .

Seventeen-year-old Rick Timmins says he was inspired to set up his "Stop Rape" Web site -- essentially an online support group for sexual assault victims -- after he was shocked by the lack of support for a friend who was sexually assaulted at a party nearly two years ago.

"When she went to look for support and stuff, she didnít have it," he said. "I was really surprised by the amount of people who didnít believe her."

Rick said he decided he wanted to do something to help his friend and others in her situation, to provide victims with a safe place where they could get emotional support.

"I just wanted her and other victims to have a place to go and get support and advice," he said. "I just wanted people to have a forum to talk.

"I realized why only 40 percent of sexual assault cases are reported -- because nobody believes the victims," he said. "Even their own parents donít believe them. They say they are lying or itís their fault."

Rick created the site through MySpace.com, a popular Internet destination where people can create their own Website to post photos, send e-mails and instant messages, and post comments.

Law enforcement officials have warned parents to monitor the MySpace sites of their children because the Web site has been known to attract sex offenders looking for young victims. Rick has turned the tables on them -- using the site against predators -- said James Teague, a teacher at La Costa Canyon High School, where Rick graduated last week.

"He did this of his own will," Teague said. "Itís pretty moving as an adult to see and hear a student take that up as their own cause."

Although there are rape hotlines, Rick said, the person on the line may not know what the victim is going through. He said his Web site provides a space where victims can communicate with other victims confidentially while they work through their trauma.

"This group has given me more hope than I could have ever imagined," one girl wrote. "I feel more comfortable here disclosing my feelings than anywhere else."

Rick said he knew there had to be more victims needing a place to turn, but even he was surprised at how many people turned to his site for help and comfort and courage. After just three months, the group had more than 1,000 members and was growing by about 16 members each day, he said. Today, there are nearly 7,600 people using Rickís site in the United States, Canada and Great Britain.

Rick, who manages the site, said the stories posted on his site are heartbreaking. Victims talk about experiencing flashbacks of their assault, anxiety attacks and severe depression.

Rick said friends and family of victims can visit his site to learn more about how they can help their loved ones. He said teenage boys have even logged on to get advice on how to support girlfriends who have been victimized.

Rick is now using his site to raise money for the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network, commonly known as RAINN. Through Rickís Website, people can buy "Stop Rape" bracelets for around $3 each depending on the quantity purchased.

Rick said he has raised more than $600 to support rape victims through RAINN.

He will be leaving soon for the University of Southern California, where he plans to continue his fight.

"If people were more aware, it would help a lot," he said. "Just spread the word."

To visit the Stop Rape or buy a bracelet, go to http://groups.myspace.com/stoprape.

Contact staff writer Adrienne A. Aguirre at (760) 740-3526 or aaguirre@nctimes.com. To comment, go to nctimes.com.