If You've Been Sexually Assaulted

There are things you can do to help in the healing process.

Take care of yourself

• Eat healthy foods
• Get plenty of rest
• Set limits on what you can do
• Journal or find a creative outlet for thoughts and feelings
• Spend time with people who are supportive and understanding

Talk about it with

• Family or friends
• Physician
• Spiritual leader
• Counselor
• Sexual Assault Advocate

Give yourself time

Healing is not an overnight process. It may take time for you to return to your normal activities. You have experienced an event that is difficult to fully understand. It is normal to meet obstacles on the road to recovery. These barriers can be overcome.

Believe in yourself

You survived an attack. Although you may have difficulty believing it now, you survived the attack because of your personal strength. The strength that has helped you at other difficult times will assist you now.

Those who work with survivors of sexual assault have learned that there are many symptoms that may be present after the attack. Although not everyone will experience each of the issues listed below, it is normal to experience some of these symptoms.

Physical Issues

• Soreness
• Physical Discomfort
• Irritation
• Itching
• Burning
• Bleeding
• Bruising

Not everyone will experience physical issues from the attack. If you do not have any complaints, it does not mean that the attack was not a violation to you.

Difficulty Sleeping

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Waking at the same time the attack occurred
• Nightmares

Eating Problems

• Increase or decrease in appetite
• Stomach pains (may be related to medication or stress)
• Nausea (again may be related to medication or stress).

Emotional Reactions

Feeling fearful during the attack is certainly understandable. There is fear of physical injury, mutilation, and even death. After the attack many survivors continue to feel fearful and may feel on guard constantly. Some may have very specific fears such as seeing their attacker again. Others may have generalized fears such as being afraid of men or of places similar to where the attack occurred.

One way to address these issues is to explore ways that you can feel safer. For example, would you feel safer if you changed your locks, bought an alarm, or started carrying pepper spray?

Thoughts

The thoughts you have related to the event may be the most difficult for you to deal with. Again, these issues are normal and can be addressed.

As individuals we are created to survive. You have survived this event and one of the ways you may be coping is through blocking out the event. This is an amazing form of self-preservation. Later with a trained professional you might find it helpful to explore the episode.

Although some individuals are able to block out the event, others may find that they are having intrusive thoughts or memories regarding the attack. These symptoms can be contained and reduced with help from a trained professional.

After the attack many people think of things they could have done to prevent the attack. For example, you may question whether you should have opened a door, or dated your attacker. This self-blame is normal however not justified. Your attacker is responsible for the sexual assault. You are not to blame.

If you are having....

Thoughts about harming yourself or someone else, contact 911 or go to an emergency room

Panic attacks (racing heart, shortness of breath, light headedness, feelings of impending danger) *Flashbacks and nightmares (reliving the event again).

Contact a trained professional at either the DVIS/Call Rape crisis line at 744-7273 or the National Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE Website http://www.rainn.org/