Spreading Awareness
Anyone can be at risk of sexual assault, however here are some tips to keep in mind to help reduce risk:
-On the street: walk confidently and avoid distractions such as cellphones.
-Trust your gut if you are feeling uncomfortable in a situation and leave.
-Watch your beverage and keep it with you at all times. Many date rape drugs cannot be tasted or smelled.
-Trust your gut if you are feeling uncomfortable in a situation and leave.
-Watch your beverage and keep it with you at all times. Many date rape drugs cannot be tasted or smelled.
The Effects of Sexual Assault
Effects of a sexual assault can be both short term or long term as well as both physical or mental.
Mental
-“Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event. Some common symptoms associated with PTSD are flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. Many people who go through traumatic events have difficulty adjusting and coping for a while. But with time and support, such traumatic reactions usually get better.”
- Depression: “Depression is more than common feelings of temporary sadness. Symptoms can include prolonged sadness, feelings of hopelessness, unexplained crying, changes in appetite with significant weight loss or gain, loss of energy or loss of interest and pleasure in activities previously enjoyed. Depression can affect a person’s outlook, which can lead to feelings of hopelessness. This, in turn, can impact his or her thought process and ability to make decisions. In extreme cases of depression, people may even experience suicidal thoughts and/or attempts. If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, refer them to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1.800.273.TALK.”
- Dissociation: “Dissociation usually refers to feeling like one has “checked out” or is not present. In some instances of dissociation, people may find themselves daydreaming. But in situations where dissociation is chronic and more complex it may impair an individual's ability to function in the “real” world, such as not being able to focus on work related duties or being able to concentrate on schoolwork.”
Physical
-Bruising, bleeding, difficulty walking, soreness can all be signs of immediate sexual assault. However, in many cases there are no physical signs.
-Survivors may turn to drugs or alcohol to attempt to relieve their emotional pain or numb their feelings of what has happened to them.
-Some survivors may practice self-harm as a way to deal with what has happened. In a lot of cases, self-harm is done with no suicidal intent. Self-harm may:
-Bruising, bleeding, difficulty walking, soreness can all be signs of immediate sexual assault. However, in many cases there are no physical signs.
-Survivors may turn to drugs or alcohol to attempt to relieve their emotional pain or numb their feelings of what has happened to them.
-Some survivors may practice self-harm as a way to deal with what has happened. In a lot of cases, self-harm is done with no suicidal intent. Self-harm may:
-Provide a way to express difficult or hidden feelings
-Engaging in self-harm may provide a temporary sense of feeling again, as well as a way to express anger, sadness, grief or emotional pain.
-Provide a way of communicating to others that support is needed.
-Provide a distraction from emotional pain.
-Provide self-punishment for that the victim believes they deserve.
-Provide proof that they are not invisible.
-Provide a feeling of control: It's not uncommon to feel that self-harm is the only way to have a sense of control over life, feelings, and body. Especially if other aspects of the victim's life are seeming out of control.
-Engaging in self-harm may provide a temporary sense of feeling again, as well as a way to express anger, sadness, grief or emotional pain.
-Provide a way of communicating to others that support is needed.
-Provide a distraction from emotional pain.
-Provide self-punishment for that the victim believes they deserve.
-Provide proof that they are not invisible.
-Provide a feeling of control: It's not uncommon to feel that self-harm is the only way to have a sense of control over life, feelings, and body. Especially if other aspects of the victim's life are seeming out of control.
Emotional
-Difficulty trusting others
-Emotions such as anger, self blame, shock, numbness, sense of vulnerability, helplessness, loss of control, fear, and feeling that these listed are a sign of weakness.
-Negative impact on productivity, difficulty sleeping/nightmares, feeling on-edge or jumpy.
-“A survivor may develop a negative outlook in which he or she may feel “damaged” or unworthy of a better life. This belief system can contribute to feeling discouraged and apprehensive about the future.”