Psychological Impact of Sexual Assault

📌Category: Health, Mental health, Social Issues, Violence
📌Words: 512
📌Pages: 2
📌Published: 21 May 2021

Rape is a violent crime in which a person intentionally harms and hurts another person through sexual acts. We cannot speak politely about rape or hide the truth about it. Rape is both an abuse of power and sexual abuse. However, if you have been the victim of a rape, it can take a long time for you to recover from the trauma. Not only can the healing process be stressful, but it can also be extremely painful. Rape has a psychological impact in addition to a physical one. Open up to others, coping with your feeling of shame and guilt, prepare yourself for upsetting memories and vivid flashbacks are some recovery steps a victim can take after rape. 

Firstly, open up and tell others about what you've gone through. Many victims find it extremely difficult to tell others they were raped because they believe it will make them feel weak and dirty. Another concern is that you never know how others will react if you tell them about your experience. You might wonder if they would "judge" you or "look at you differently." Therefore, you might think that it is easier to downplay what happened and keep it to yourself. However, if you remain silent, you will lose the opportunity to seek the help and support you need. The important thing is to connect with people you know you can trust and don’t think that your experience won’t be realized if you don’t disclose your experience. By avoiding the facts, you will not be able to initiate the "healing" process, and hiding your feelings will only exacerbate the shame you may be experiencing.

Secondly, even if you understand intellectually that you are not responsible for rape or sexual assault, you may still feel embarrassed or ashamed. These feelings can surface immediately after the attack, or they can surface several years after the attack. However, when you admit the truth of what happened, it will be easier to completely accept that you are not responsible. You have not attacked yourself and there is nothing to be ashamed of.

Thirdly, because your nervous system is hypersensitive after rape or assault, you may begin to try to numb or avoid trauma. But you cannot selectively numb your feelings. When you turn off unpleasant feelings, you also turn off your self-awareness and joy. You are finally disconnected emotionally and physically. Although you already exist, you have not fully lived yet. To assist you in reducing stress and anxiety caused by upsetting memories and flashbacks: anticipate and prepare for any triggers, which include places associated with rape, specific sights, sounds, and smells. Being aware of the triggers that may cause you to feel unpleasant reactions will prepare you to put yourself in a stronger position so that you can take the necessary steps to calm yourself down again.

Sexual assault is defined as any sexual act that anyone engages in against their will. It takes time to recover from sexual assault, and the recovery process can be painful. However, you can regain control, rebuild your self-worth and learn to heal. Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault. No matter what you say, what clothes you wear, whether there is alcohol or the perpetrator is not a stranger. Your body is your own, no one can do anything against your will.

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