Sexual Assault Survivorship Blog
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What the ASMR?
Some mental health professionals believe that ASMR helps combat effects of [sexual assault] trauma, such as feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. We’ve dug into the topic.
IYKYK: Survivor Supporters
The most important thing a sexual assault survivor supporter can do is to know how to be present without judgment or expectation. Here’s how you can do it.
The Value of Therapy
Therapy teaches participants how to survive the violence in a way that doesn’t require us to abandon ourselves. In fact, a good therapist teaches us how to tap into our authentic selves.
Victims to Survivors
We own our stories. Despite there having been disruption by criminals who chose to violate us, we own our stories. We determine who we are in this and future moments. We are in control of our lives.
Safety #2: Why Children Won't Disclose SA
The initial thought, as a parent, is that children will disclose when they have been harmed. Unfortunately, this is not true. Children (not matter their age) will only disclose when they feel safe to do so. Here’s how you can help.
Ways to Improve Everyday Life
Gaining control of our bodies and learning how to manage the effects is key to ensuring our wellness. Below are simple actions we can take to help improve our survivorship journeys and set the foundation for us to thrive.
Safety #1: Understanding Sexual Violence
You are the first line of defense in protecting your children - physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially - from sexual abuse. This means educating yourself to reduce risks and creating an environment where they feel safe to speak up if something goes wrong.
Take Back Control
Ending sexual violence starts with dismantling the barriers that sustain it. Change begins at home, ripples through communities, and can transform the world. You have the power to make a difference.
How the Legal System Fails Survivors
The justice system presumes innocence until guilt is proven. As survivors of sexually violent crimes, many of us know our perpetrators. But until systemic change occurs, survivors will continue to be let down by the system.
How to be a Safe Space
It’s easy to think of yourself as a safe space, but you may be unintentionally causing harm. In this post, we’ll explore how to better support others and be more trustworthy.
How to Not Promote Victim Blaming
Society’s mindset about sexual assault enables the increased frequency of victimization to grow while preventing perpetrators from facing justice.
Navigating Survivor Safety
In a world where the shadow of sexual violence looms, maintaining safety from predators is not just crucial—it's a vital part of a healthy survivorship journey.
The Stress of Hypervigilance
For survivors of sexual assault, hypervigilance can become our default setting. It’s not just about being cautious; it’s about living in a state of perpetual anxiety and fear. While hypervigilance is a natural protective response for victimized persons, it often has detrimental effects on survivors. The good news is that hypervigilance does not have to be a permanent condition.
7 Immediate Actions to Take After a Rape
There currently isn’t much, if any, information about what a victimized person can do to get help. So, the GOTU team compiled a sequential list of steps you can help a newly victimized person take to better ensure post-rape care.
10 Reasons Why SA Victims Don’t Come Forward
Here are the top 10 reasons, from the 2 years+ of GOTU research, why reporting sexual violence rarely happens.