#SIGNS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TRAUMA HOW TO#

Survivors may have been shunned or avoided by their families and/or communities because of their disclosure. A survivor's culture and (lack of) community connections can, at times, compound feelings of isolation. Many feel that they do not deserve support, that they are tainted, and that others will not want to be their friends or lovers. Isolation This is a big issue for adult survivors. It is important to explore with a survivor what feels safe by asking specific questions about safety. Safety Survivors' sense of safety has been altered they may assess unsafe situations as safe and perceive safe situations as dangerous.

On the other hand, they may place an inappropriate level of trust in everyone. Most survivors find it difficult to trust other people as well as themselves and their own perceptions. Trust Sexual assault is a betrayal of trust. Many survivors need support developing and practicing boundaries. Survivors may be unfamiliar with boundaries in general they may not know that they have a right to create and reinforce them.

#SIGNS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT TRAUMA HOW TO#

Boundaries Because sexual violence is such a boundary violation, it impacts the survivor's perception of when or how to set boundaries. Those supporting a survivor should validate the impact of the abuse and that it is appropriate that the survivor is upset, traumatized, or hurting from it. It might include survivors thinking that their abuse was not as bad as someone else's. Denial Survivors saying, 'It wasn't that bad.' 'It only happened once.' 'I am fine, I don't need anything.' Minimizing Minimizing the assault can be a coping strategy. Conversely, it may be that by placing the blame on the offender they then feel helplessness. Often the offender was a person close to them that they want to protect. It is very difficult for survivors to place the blame on the person who assaulted them. Guilt Survivors feeling that the abuse was their fault. While each survivor is unique in their experience, many survivors are impacted in the following ways: Shame Survivors thinking they are bad, wrong, dirty, or permanently flawed. As an advocate, support person, or someone working with a survivor of sexual assault, helping to identify and normalize these reactions can be important. This is simply an introduction to help better understand what a survivor may be experiencing. As the body and mind process the devastation of sexual violence, many different emotions, behaviors, and physical responses appear and disappear and may reappear. There is no wrong or right way to feel or react. Not all survivors of sexual violence are the same, nor will any act of sexual violence affect two people in the same way. There are many common reactions to sexual violence. The Support and Information Line hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. If you’ve been affected by sexual assault or abuse, you can call this line for private support services at 1 (855) 210-2087.

Calls are not recorded and do not require your PIN.

In Washington State, there is a Sexual Assault Support and Information Line that is operated by an independent agency outside of the Department of Corrections. Some programs also provide specialized services in the form of support groups, therapy, or medical social work.

Additionally, some programs will have a free, confidential 24-hour hotline that you can call for help.

medical and legal advocacy, community awareness, outreach and prevention activities.crisis intervention and on-going support.referral to other community service providers.If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault in Washington State, use our Program Directory to help you to locate resources and support.Īdvocates at these programs provide free, confidential sexual assault advocacy and support, including:

Signs of sexual assault trauma