Sexual Assault is Never the Victims' Fault!

Felecia Berry LMSW

Photo by Dương Nhân: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhouette-photography-of-woman-at-golden-hour-1539759/

Sexual violence happens in every community and affects people of all ages, races, genders, and religions, including individuals with disabilities. The operative word for sexual violence is any type of “ unwanted” sexual contact. A person may use force, threat, manipulation, or coercion to commit sexual violence. Often the onset of sexual assault originates in childhood. Behaviors present in a child sexualized in childhood may manifest into a succession of toxic, mental, physical, sexual, financial, emotionally abusive relationships throughout their lifetime.

Emotions will vacillate, too good and not sound.

Many feelings and emotions resonate in individuals impacted by sexual assault, sexual abuse, and incest. Common symptoms reflect a lifetime of triggers and stressors often result in self-medicating to numb graphic and upsetting images of flashbacks and intrusive thoughts of the sexual encounter. A sexual assault may impact a survivor's daily life no matter when it happens. Common emotional reactions include guilt, shame, fear, numbness, anger, shock, and feelings of isolation.

Therapy can be the guiding light out of the darkness of trauma memories.

However, there is help available. Open Arms is a crime victim service program that provides support for all victims and provides therapeutic intervention, resources, and counseling. This program is open to female victims. Currently, Open Arms provides individual, family, and group therapy virtually to all survivors of assault and abuse for a nominal fee. Open Arms also provides assistance with completing the crime victim compensation application on behalf of victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. This financial assistance covers many of the expenses incurred by crime victims, including the cost of serving a personal protection order. Project Purple Light also offers group therapy to victims in residential shelters and Domestic Violence Shelters.

The long-term psychological effects survivors may face if their trauma is left untreated include post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and isolation. If you know someone who needs support as a result of sexual assault Help is available. Speak with someone today

National Sexual Assault Hotline - 1-800-656-4673

Hours: Available 24/7.