|
Surviving Sexual Assault
By Hung Tran, Psy.D.
Sexual violence hurts the survivor and can have lasting emotional scars. It also hurts everyone else whether directly or indirectly. For every survivor, there is someone that also shares their pain be it a mother, father, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, or child. Sexual assault is any sexual act, which is unwelcome or unwanted. It is sometimes committed through use of manipulation, coercion, intimidation, threats, force, or a controlled substance. It can range from sexual battery, to threat of sexual assault, to rape.
For survivors of sexual assaults, talking about their experiences may by particularly painful and difficult. This brief article highlights some of the societal myths about sexual assault. It also discusses some experiences and reactions common to survivors of sexual assault and offers some suggestions in the journey towards healing. This article is also intended as an informational guide for both survivors as well as allies of survivors, i.e., family members, friends, and loved ones.
|
HOT TOPICS:
|
|
Myth #1 Sexual assault is committed mainly by strangers and criminals who jump out of bushes.
In reality, sexual assaults committed by strangers comprise only a very small percentage of all sexual assaults. An individual is 73% more likely to be assaulted by someone they know or someone close to them.
Myth #2 Sexual assault is a sexual act and the person who commits it wants sexual gratification.
Sexual assault, including rape, is NOT about sex. It is about rage. It is an act of violence. It is an attempt to dominate or control another human being and is a serious crime punishable by law.
Myth #3 It is not sexual assault if its someone you know or love.
It may be hard to reconcile when someone we know or care about can harm us in this way. Again, sexual assault is not about love or sex but about violence, dominance and control. If a relationship includes elements of this it may be important to do an honest personal assessment of your own level of safety in this relationship. Seek help and if necessary, find the courage to leave this relationship.
Myth #4 Sexual assault can’t happen to men.
Sexual assault can happen to anyone. It is estimated that 10% of sexual assault survivors are men. More than half of all sexual assaults go unreported and men are even less likely to report a sexual assault. Social gender stereotypes and internalized biases can make it particularly difficult for a man to report. Just as for some women, it can be embarrassing and shaming for male survivors to admit abuse and reach out for help. Oftentimes, the person suffers in silence.
Myth #5 I must have led him or her on by something I said or did, or by the kinds of clothes I was wearing.
All too often, there is a tendency to blame the survivor. It is important to remember that no one willingly invites violence against him or her. Nothing we do, say, or how we dress should serve as justification for violence or violation of our personal space and physical boundaries.
Myth #6 It is not sexual assault if I change my mind.
This is another form of blaming the survivor. Everyone has the human right to refuse and change his or her mind, and to feel uncertain towards something. Any time someone does not respect another’s personal wishes, any sexual act between them is no longer consensual but rather an act of violence/assault.
Myth #7 If they pay for dinner, then I owe it to them or they are justified in wanting sex in return.
Accepting dinner does not obligate anyone to anything, least of all sex. Although, it may be polite to say “thank you.” Anyone who uses this justification for sexual violence is acting through manipulation and coercion.
Myth #8 People will think less of me if I tell them I am a survivor.
For an individual who hold in the secret of a sexual assault, there may be tremendous fear that friends and love ones may find them damaged, think less of them, or find them unacceptable in some way. Oftentimes, this fear is unfounded. For those who find the strength and courage to reach out to loved ones for support, they are often met with love, caring, concern, and encouragement.
Some Common Reactions
Although each individual’s response to sexual assault can by unique, there can be some common themes or reactions. Particularly soon after the assault, it is not uncommon for a person to experience numbness or detachment from oneself or one’s own body. Some may experience a feeling of inner turmoil which may include an inability to feel ‘clean’ or ‘wholesome’.
Loss of appetite, hypervigilance, sensitivity to being startled, and sleep disturbances including vivid nightmares are common physical complaints. Common emotional reactions can include excessive feelings of guilt, shame or feeling responsible for causing the sexual assault or not preventing the sexual assault. Sometimes survivors can experience strong feelings of anger. These reactions are very normal reactions and ways of coping with an atypical and traumatic event. The person may feel alone and isolated and feel like no one can help them. In some cases these reactions may lead to a disruption in functioning including depression, which may indicate a need to seek professional help.
For Allies
For allies of survivors, it is important to not personalize the survivor’s reactions and responses. Allies may also experience similar reactions though a process called vicarious trauma. For example, allies may also feel helpless and become frustrated by the behaviors of their loved ones, especially if they feel like they are being pushed away. Allies can be helpful by taking a supportive and nonjudgmental stance and convey their genuine concern without pushing the person to do something they are not ready for. It is recommended to avoid use of language which directly or indirectly blames the survivor or implies that they could have done something to prevent it from happening. Most importantly, being patient and letting the person know that you’ll be there when they are ready or need to talk can be a tremendous source of comfort whether or not they make use of this right away. It may also be helpful to encourage and support the person to seek professional help, such as talking to a counselor or therapist.
For Survivors
Surviving and overcoming sexual assault can be a difficult and slow journey and may take time. Healing may not happen over night. It may be hard to begin trusting others again or regain a sense of safety. Remember that you do not have to do this alone. The Counseling Center has a team of caring professionals that can help support you. Family, friends, and loved ones can be valuable sources of support. Also, there are many community resources available for information and support. Patience and kindness towards yourself can really help in the journey towards healing.
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Women's Resource Center
Police Department
Student Health Center
Counseling Center
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center
Riverside Community Hospital
Parkview Hospital
Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)
California Coalition Against Sexaul Assault (CALCASA) |