One in four women and one in six men report experiences of sexual assault according to recent research by the Centers for Disease Control. If this number is even close to correct, then it is very likely that you or someone close to you have experienced some form of assault in your lifetime.
Sexual assault is when someone touches another person in a sexual manner without their consent, or when someone makes another person take part in a sexual activity with them without that person's consent.
We are all different, and we all respond differently to experiences of assault. Our bodies and brains change as a result of trauma. If our body interprets an experience as traumatic it may not matter how you consciously understand or think about a situation, you may experience symptoms of trauma responses as a result of your experiences.
Bessel Van Der Kolk says in his book, The Body Keeps the Score, “Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort. Their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs, and, in an attempt to control these processes, they often become expert at ignoring their gut feelings and in numbing awareness of what is played out inside. They learn to hide from themselves.” (p.97)”
If you or someone you care about has experienced sexual assault or are experiencing any of the following symptoms commonly experienced after trauma, please reach out. We would be glad to help you find a counselor or resource to help you find safety and healing.
Moments of Panic
Hypervigilance
Difficulty Sleeping
Vivid Dreams and Nightmares
Social Anxiety
Anger or Aggression
Emotional Outbursts
Jumpiness When Startled
Difficulty Concentrating
Difficulty in Attachment/Relationships
Sadness/Depression
Numbness
Dissociation
Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit https://www.rainn.org/ for more resources or an app that can help.
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