Sexual Assault Survivorship Part 1 - Functioning
Surviving sexual assault, regardless of the type, is traumatic. Each of us is effected physically, mentally and emotionally. We survivors know that the impact sticks around well after the time of the actual violation. What we don’t (intuitively) know is how to try and manage the myriad of things that are going through our minds and happening to our bodies. So, as a means to help victimized persons, we’ve put together a list of items that may help ease the pain.
In part one of the three-part series, we’re focussing on minimizing the amount of mental labor needed to survive. Survivorship takes a whole lot of energy, the same energy needed to heal. That’s why it’s important to minimize the required social labor of being out in the world (e.g. work, school, grocery shopping, etc.).
The brutal truth that we survivors know is that the world doesn’t stop for us. It’s expected that we continue to be productive members of society and manage our responsibilities (i.e. pay bills, school, work, relationships, etc.). To be honest, we’re in shock and somehow expect the same of ourselves. For those of us who are able to start to leave the house and move forward, here are items that may help survivors to better function in the world:
Journal - Write down things such as thoughts, feelings and daily occurrences to help you process what’s happening in your mind. It’s a good way of ‘getting it out’.
Alarm Clock - Trauma causes us to lose sense of time and skews our perceptions of the world around us. An alarm clock helps us to remember to eat, drink, go to sleep, etc.
Comfortable Clothes & Shoes - Effects of the trauma may cause us to not want to be touched and/or make our muscles hurt ( research “somatic flashback”). This pain can make wearing clothes and shoes difficult. Soft, supportive materials reduce the body’s output of physical labor.
Hat - Seriously, who has energy to maintain hair?
Sunglasses - Some of us experience difficulty sleeping and our eyes will show the stress. Eye coverings allow for discretion when don’t want these signs to be visible to others.
Emotional Support Item (Blanket, Stuffed Animal, Hat, Piece of Material, Etc.) - Whether being able to touch, see, smell or hear it, a support item makes us feel safe may help to ease instances of stress.
Having the ability to understand what is happening to us and why is key in taking back control of our bodies and our minds. It can set the foundation for us to eventually become stable enough to successfully engage in society.
Having the ability to understand what is happening to us and why is key in taking back control of our bodies and our minds. Being able to function, practice self care and sustain can help put us ‘back on our feet’. And, it can help set the foundation for us to eventually become stable enough to successfully engage in society.
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Disclaimer: Provided images, graphics and verbiage is based upon feedback from survivors of rape (including stealthing), molestation, non consensual exposure to sexual content. Content in this post and on the GOTU®️ site is for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice or consultation with healthcare professionals. Seek the advice of medical, trauma informed and/or other health care professionals regarding any condition or treatment and never disregard or delay treatment because of content that has been either read or seen on this website.