Sexual Assault
Each survivor copes with rape differently. It is important to remember that there is no right way for a survivor to feel, and there is no set timeline for when a survivor should be feeling better. To heal from rape, survivors need to draw on their individual strengths and skills and find what works best for them. Rape is a violent crime that triggers a variety of feelings and reactions. Some survivors experience a rush of emotions all at once, while others take longer to process what they are feeling. Many survivors do share several common reactions to rape. The feelings may be intense at times. Sometimes they seem to go away for a while and then come back again.
Survivor’s common reactions
Guilt. Many survivors of rape feel guilty. We live in a culture that tends to blame victims, but rape is never the survivor’s fault. No one deserves to have been raped, even if they drank to excess, dressed in revealing clothing, or consented to other sexual activity, like kissing.Fear. Rape is traumatic, and it is normal to feel afraid after being raped. Some survivors find it hard to be alone at night or in a setting that reminds them of the one in which they were raped.
Avoidance. It is common to avoid or want to avoid anything that is associated with the assault. Many survivors avoid getting assistance because it reminds them of the rape. Although avoidance can initially help in coping, most survivors find that it is not a viable long-term solution.
Anger. Survivors may feel angry - at the rapist, at the people they love, at the world, even at themselves. Feeling angry can be an important part of healing emotionally after rape.
Mood swings. Survivor’s moods may change rapidly or dramatically. Coping with a sexual assault can be overwhelming, and intense emotional reactions are normal. Most survivors experience many ups and downs in their healing process.
Distrust. It may take the survivor a while to feel like they can trust people again. If a survivor was raped by someone they knew, they may feel like they have lost confidence in their sense of judgment about other people. If they were raped by a stranger, they may feel that they can’t trust people they don’t know.
Loss of control. Rape robs a person of control over his/her body, and many survivors of rape often feel out of control or powerless as a result. One of the most important elements of healing from rape is regaining control.
Numbness. Sometimes it takes a while for survivors of rape to feel anything at all. Going numb is one of the ways some people cope with crisis.
Re-experiencing. Many survivors have nightmares, flashbacks, or intrusive thoughts about rape. This re-experiencing can sometimes feel as difficult to cope with as the rape itself. These disruptions also may make it difficult to sleep or to concentrate.
It is important for survivors to remember, no matter how they are feeling, that they are not alone. If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of these feelings, Options Advocates can help. Contact us to see how we can help you.
Possible Physical Effects of Sexual Assault
- Pain
- Injuries
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
Possible Emotional/Psychological Effects of Sexual Assault
- Shock/denial
- Irritability/anger
- Depression
- Social withdrawal
- Numbing/apathy (detachment, loss of caring)
- Restricted affect (reduced ability to express emotions)
- Nightmares/flashbacks
- Difficulty concentrating
- Diminished interest in activities or sex
- Loss of self-esteem
- Loss of security/loss of trust in others
- Guilt/shame/embarrassment
- Impaired memory
- Loss of appetite
- Suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide and death)
- Substance Abuse
- Psychological disorders
Possible Physiological Effects of Sexual Assault
- Hypervigilance (always being "on your guard")
- Insomnia
- Exaggerated startle response (jumpiness)
- Panic attacks
- Eating problems/disorders
- Self-mutilation (cutting, burning or otherwise hurting oneself)
- Sexual dysfunction (not being able to perform sexual acts)
- Hyperarousal (exaggerated feelings/responses to stimuli)
Reporting the Assault
The decision to report a sexual assault belongs to the sexual assault survivor unless the victim is a minor. If a sexual assault survivor plans to report the assault to law enforcement, it is important that they do not:
·
Shower,
bathe, or douche;
·
Throw
away any clothes that were worn at the time of the assault;
·
Brush
or comb their hair;
·
Use
the restroom;
·
Brush
their teeth or gargle;
·
Put
on makeup;
·
Clean
or straighten up the crime scene; and
·
Eat
or drink anything.
It is important to know that not all rape kits yield DNA
evidence and that the absence of DNA does not mean that no crime occurred. DNA
evidence may not be found if:
·
The
perpetrator did not leave any DNA behind.
·
Too
much time passed before the evidence was collected.
·
The
evidence was improperly stored or handled.
For More information
on Sexual Assault Forensics: http://www.barcc.org/forensics/saf/
- 1 in 4 girls is sexually abused before the age of 18.
- 1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18.
- An estimated 39 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse exist in America today.
- Only 10% (of victims) are abused by strangers.
- 93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker
- 34.2% of attackers were family members
- 58.7% were acquaintances
- only 7% of the perpetrators were strangers to the victim.
- Statistics also show that 67% of sexual assaults have victims under the age of 18.
Almost two-thirds of all sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim. (U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of statistics. 2007)
To be of assistance to a survivor one should:
§ Listen without judging;
§ Let them know the assault(s) was not their fault;
§ Let them know they did what was necessary to prevent further harm;
§ Reassure the survivor that he or she is cared for and loved;
§ Encourage the sexual assault victim to seek medical attention;
§ Encourage the survivor to talk about the assault(s) with an advocate, mental health professional or someone they trust; and
§ Let them know they do not have to manage this crisis alone.
What to do for a Victim of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault affects not only the victim, but also the loved ones and family of the survivor, as well as the community. Family members and friends many times have to help their loved one manage the after effects of the assault and also have to deal with their own feelings about the victimization of someone they care about.
Those that live with the survivor may become concerned about their security and may have similar feelings and responses as those the survivor experiences. Family members in some communities can find support groups for loved ones of those who have been victims of sexual assault.
The immediate neighborhood as well may be affected by the victimization of their neighbor and become more concerned about their personal safety. They may respond to the assault(s) by establishing a neighborhood watch program or installing better street lighting. Professionals in the community who have direct contact with the survivor may develop protocols, or guidelines for response, to sexual assault victims to ensure the needs of survivors are being addressed within their respective agencies.
If an individual is sexually assaulted
It is important that the victim of sexual assault understand that no matter where they were, the time of day or night assaulted, what they were wearing, or what they said or did, if they did not want the sexual contact, then the assault was in no way their fault. Persons who commit sexual assault do so out of a need to control, dominate, abuse and humiliate. Sexual assault is the articulation of aggression through sex, and has little to do with passion, lust, desire, or sexual arousal.
Survivors of sexual assault, as stated earlier, react in many different ways following the assault(s). Whatever the reaction, it may be helpful for the victim of sexual assault to call a friend, relative, partner, the police, or an advocate specifically trained in assisting victims of sexual assault. Some prosecutor's offices, police departments, and every local sexual assault program have trained advocates who work with sexual assault victims and can provide a variety of services including:
- Accompaniment to the hospital, during the rape exam and to the police station;
- Information about reporting procedures and what to expect;
- Legal advocacy and court accompaniment;
- Emergency crisis intervention, counseling and referrals;
- Counseling for the victim's partner, spouse or family;
- Assistance in finding care for children; and
- Information about sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and pregnancy testing.
- Immediately after an assault, it is most important that the victim find a safe place, such as a neighbor or friend's house, police station, or hospital. If the assault occurred in the home, the house should be secured as soon as possible by locking all the doors and windows. If a survivor is hurt, it is imperative to immediately dial 911 to request an ambulance or have a trusted friend or relative transport the survivor to the nearest medical facility for evaluation and treatment.
