Trauma leaves you feeling powerless and vulnerable. If you don't have someone you trust, talk to a therapist or call a rape crisis hotline.Ĭhallenge your sense of helplessness and isolation. Your best bet is someone who will be supportive, empathetic, and calm. However, it's important to be selective about who you tell, especially at first. As scary as it is to open up, it will set you free. And hiding only adds to feelings of shame. But you can't heal when you're avoiding the truth.
It's common to think that if you don't talk about your rape, it didn't really happen. But when you stay silent, you deny yourself help and reinforce your victimhood. Will they judge you? Look at you differently? It seems easier to downplay what happened or keep it a secret. You may also be afraid of how others will react. It can be extraordinarily difficult to admit that you were raped or sexually assaulted. Recovering from rape or sexual trauma step 1: Open up about what happened to you If your spouse, boyfriend, or lover forces sex against your will, it's rape. Myth: It's not rape if you've had sex with the person before.įact: Just because you've previously consented to sex with someone doesn't give them perpetual rights to your body. These men target vulnerable people and often ply them with alcohol in order to rape them. But research shows that the vast majority of date rapists are repeat offenders. Myth: Date rape is often a misunderstanding.įact: Date rapists often defend themselves by claiming the assault was a drunken mistake or miscommunication. Studies show that rapists choose victims based on their vulnerability, not on how sexy they appear or how flirtatious they are. Myth: People who are raped “ask for it” by the way they dress or act.įact: Rape is a crime of opportunity. Your brain and body shuts down in shock, making it difficult to move, speak, or think. Myth: If you didn't fight back, you must not have thought it was that bad.įact: During a sexual assault, it's extremely common to freeze. Many appear completely normal, friendly, charming, and non-threatening. Myth: You can spot a rapist by the way he looks or acts.įact: There's no surefire way to identify a rapist. Myths and facts about rape and sexual assault No matter how difficult it may seem, with these tips and techniques, you can come to terms with what happened, regain your sense of safety and trust, and learn to heal and move on with your life.Īdvertiser Disclosure Myths and facts about rape and sexual assaultĭispelling the toxic, victim-blaming myths about sexual violence can help you start the healing process. Your feelings of helplessness, shame, defectiveness, and self-blame are symptoms, not reality. It’s important to remember that what you’re experiencing is a normal reaction to trauma. And on top of that, like many rape survivors, you may struggle with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. You may blame yourself for what happened or believe that you’re “dirty” or “damaged goods.” Relationships feel dangerous, intimacy impossible. You may question your judgment, your self-worth, and even your sanity.
The world doesn’t feel like a safe place anymore. The trauma of being raped or sexually assaulted can be shattering, leaving you feeling scared, ashamed, and alone or plagued by nightmares, flashbacks, and other unpleasant memories. Regardless of age or gender, the impact of sexual violence goes far beyond any physical injuries. And sexual assault isn't limited to women many men and boys suffer rape and sexual trauma each year. In some Asian, African, and Middle Eastern countries, that figure is even higher. are raped or sexually assaulted at some point in their lives, often by someone they know and trust. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1 in 5 women in the U.S. Sexual violence is shockingly common in our society. But you can regain your sense of control, rebuild your self-worth, and learn to heal.
Ptsd & trauma Recovering from Rape and Sexual Trauma Recovering from sexual assault takes time, and the healing process can be painful.
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