Not one of these trauma responses invalidates allegations of sexual assault or abuse. Each simply reflects how different nervous systems respond to stress, in this case per sexual trauma.

The hardest conversations aren't always the ones we have with therapists, friends, or family. They're the ones we have with ourselves. And, solitude creates room for those conversations.

If someone can convince themselves that a victimized person made a mistake, then they can believe they would be protected by making different choices. This is a false belief.

ASMR isn’t a treatment for trauma, nor does it replace professional mental services like therapy. However, it can be a valuable tool to help regulate the nervous system.

Acceptance doesn’t mean approval. It doesn’t mean forgiveness. It doesn't mean forgetting what may be the worst thing we’ve ever endured. Acceptance simply means acknowledging reality.

While some impacts of sexual violence are widely understood, many are not. And it’s those overlooked effects that can quietly shape a victimized person’s health for years.

We shouldn’t have to organize our lives around the constant possibility of being violated... Instead, we should be building a culture where all people are consistently socialized to not commit harm.

Moving away from merely existing and toward truly living means that we start to address the trauma caused by the predator(s) and the sexual violence they committed against us.

Don’t ever think that any of us are too small or weak or unknown to create meaningful societal change. We can start in our own daily lives.

Unfortunately, we’re not educated on the possible harms done to the pelvic floor and medical professionals only go by what they can see [and prove] - not assessing for possibility of unseen damage.

Instead of focusing on mourning, we could celebrate surviving another year. This could look like having cake with candles…

Understanding how predators are created does not excuse their actions, but it does provide insight into prevention.

It’s natural to believe “my child would never do that.” But ignoring the possibility is dangerous. Every predator was is someone’s child.

Unsafe people are everywhere, not just lurking in dark corners or fitting some obvious "stranger danger" physical stereotype. In fact, the most dangerous individuals often present themselves as friendly, charming, and deeply empathetic.

Because the burden of proof rests entirely on the state, “innocent until proven guilty” creates a maze of roadblocks and loopholes that allow predators to reoffend again and again. And, this has to stop.

Accepting trauma without traditional justice doesn’t mean forgetting or condoning what was done to us. Instead, it means finding peace where possible and creating meaning despite pain.

Whether you are a survivor or an ally, working together to create safe, informed, and compassionate communities can transform survivorship from a fight for survival into a journey of empowerment and hope.

When we were met with compassion and understanding, our healing felt possible. When we weren’t believed, the hurt was devastating, creating shadows of shame and isolation we had to work hard to shake. But let’s remind ourselves: other people’s reactions do not define the truth of our experiences.

Explore how trauma caused sexual assault or abuse can affect work life. In this week's GOTU blog post we dive into how support, self-care, and community help survivors improve wellness, reclaim confidence, and thrive. None of us is alone in this battle. And getting better while working is possible, one step at a time.