We’re here to help each other heal. 

There are many ways to be an ally to; and support a victim of sexual assault:

• Allies Never Engage in Victim Blaming: Sexual assault is a criminal act. Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault, but the fault of the perpetrator. See also Believe Survivors and Victim Blaming.
   
• Allies Listen with Respect: It is up to the victim to decide how they want to proceed, following an assault. It is the victim’s decision whether or not they want to report an assault. A true ally respects the victim’s decision either way, without judgment.
   
• Allies Take Action: Allies may offer concrete support for victims by helping them connect to support, by making phone calls for them, or by driving them to the hospital, police station and/ or rape crisis center. Allies can also offer to stay with the victim during the medical examination and interviews.
   
• Allies Respond with Empathy: Most importantly, allies respond with Empathy to the person they are supporting. Allies may offer up key phrases, such as “I believe you”, “it’s not your fault”, and “I’m here for you”.

When working with survivors of sexual assault, art-based interventions may be used to facilitate the processing and integration of traumatic memories. Art making and the resulting product can act as a container for overwhelming emotions. Art making may be an ideal therapy for trauma survivors because art allows for Non-Verbal expression. “The art therapy process engages multiple senses and provides a unique vehicle for expression where words and language can fall short.”

See also Dance Movement Therapy, and Non-Verbal Therapeutic Approaches

See also Sexual Assault, Rape.

These are things that happen without you thinking about them, such as breathing and your heart beating. Your autonomic nervous system is always active, even when you’re asleep, and it’s key to your continued survival.

One of the most powerful ways allies, can support survivors of sexual assault is to say, “I believe you.” In fact, the simple statement, #BELIEVESURVIVORS has become a viral rallying cry on social media platforms as the anti-rape movement gains momentum, in the wake of the #Metoo Movement.

There are many reasons why a survivor of sexual assault may be reluctant to tell their story. Among these reasons may be the fear of being blamed for the assault or not being believed by anyone. Survivors of sexual assault often have to contend with a pervasive and dominant rape culture that both promotes and tolerates victim blaming. Survivors may also be less likely to come forward if there is a significant power difference between the perpetrator and themselves, such as in the case of prominent political figures or religious leaders.

For some people, focusing on the breath can facilitates relaxation and can reset the nervous system. The autonomic nervous system can get stuck in a chronic sympathetic response loop that is commonly known as the fight, flight, or freeze response mode, characterized by short shallow breaths, or periods of holding one’s breath. Mindful deep breathing can be very grounding and soothing, allowing one to feel present in their body while activating the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). The PSNS promotes self-preservation functions like digestion and wound healing. Once a perceived threat has passed, the PSNS turns down the arousal system, which returns breathing to normal, slows down the heart rate, and relaxes muscle tension. 

See also Embodied, and Yoga.

RAINN states that child sexual abuse does not need to include physical contact between a perpetrator and a child. Some forms of child sexual abuse include (but are not limited to):

• Exhibitionism, or exposing oneself to a minor
• Fondling
• Intercourse
• Masturbation in the presence of a minor or forcing the minor to masturbate
• Obscene conversations, phone calls, text messages, or digital interaction
• Producing, owning, or sharing pornographic images or movies of children
• Sex of any kind with a minor, including vaginal, oral, or anal
• Sex trafficking
• Any other contact of a sexual nature that involves a minor. 

The sexual abuse of a child does not have to involve force, children are often coerced or bribed to engage in sexual acts. 

See also Incest and Sexual Assault

During CBT a person works with a therapist (or mental health professional) to take a close look at their thoughts, emotions and behaviors related to trauma they’ve experienced. CBT is based on the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are all connected, and that changing one can change the others. It can be a helpful tool for those who are struggling with depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, relationships, eating disorders, and severe mental illness.

A survivor of sexual violence may feel anxious, unsafe, and ashamed, which can lead to isolation and depression. Survivors are more likely to process the trauma of their assault, and heal in community (with family, friends, relationships) and with allies who provide physical and emotional support, free from judgment and shame. 

Sexual assault does not occur in a vacuum, and thus entire communities are impacted as the result of sexual violence. Stronger together, communities can join forces to collectively support survivors and confront sexual violence through action. Connecting to a supportive community can help to facilitate the process of healing for survivors after a sexual assault.

Before engaging in sexual activities with someone, one needs to gain consent from the other person(s) involved. Without consent, sexual activity (including but not limited to oral sex, genital touching, and vaginal or anal penetration) is sexual assault or rape. 

Sexual Consent, as defined by Planned Parenthood is ‘FRIES:’

• Freely given - a choice made without pressure, manipulation, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Reversible - anyone can change their mind about what they feel like doing, at any time.
• Informed - consent can only be given if one has the full story (sexual history of the partner, aware of sexually transmitted infections, understood methods of birth control, etc.)
• Enthusiastic - consent is only what one WANTS to do, not what one is expected to do.
• Specific - saying yes to one sexual act does not mean yes to all sexual acts.

Dance/Movement Therapy is based upon the assumption that the body and mind are connected. By exploring this mind-body connection through dance/movement, one can expand their abilities and knowledge of the ways they can adapt, communicate, express, heal or understand themselves. 

Dance movement therapy falls under the creative arts therapies umbrella, and like Art Therapy, DMT can be an excellent non-verbal treatment for people who have experienced sexual trauma. 

See also Non-Verbal Therapy, Embodied, Somatic Therapies

Acquaintance rape includes any forced, manipulated or non-consensual sexual contact. The rapist may be a date, neighbor, boss, co-worker, delivery person, spouse, relative or anyone known to the victim.

According to RAINN, 8 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone known to the victim.

See also Rape, Sexual Assault, and Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault

Consent is crucial when any person engages in sexual activity, but it plays an even bigger, and potentially more complicated role when someone has a disability. Perpetrators may take advantage of the fact that some disabilities may make it difficult to communicate consent to participate in sexual activity. In addition, someone who has a developmental or intellectual disability may not have the ability to consent to sexual activity, as defined by the state laws. For a number of reasons, “sexual abuse and assault of people with disabilities often goes unreported.

According to the National Crime Victimization Survey, there are a variety of reasons a person with disabilities may not report a sexual assault:

• Someone who relies on the person abusing them may be reluctant to report the abuse.
• An abuser may block access to the tools a person with a disability uses to communicate, such as a computer or phone.
• People with disabilities may be less likely to be taken seriously when they make a report of sexual assault or abuse. They may also face challenges in accessing services to make a report in the first place.
• Many people with disabilities may not understand or lack information about healthy sexuality and the types of touching that are appropriate or inappropriate. This can be especially challenging if a person’s disability requires other people to touch them to provide care.

Experiencing dissociation during or after sexual assault is a normal response to such a traumatic event. Dissociation is linked to the “Freeze” response (see Fight, Flight, or Freeze) and can feel like anything from a foggy dream-like state, to a feeling of one’s mind “going blank”, to a “loss of personal identity” that can severely impact a person’s relationships and the way they engage with day to day life.

Dissociation can be treated through body-based therapies such as Dance/Movement Therapy that encourage Embodiment, and various Grounding techniques, as well as Yoga.

For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

See Intimate Partner Violence

Drugs used for the purpose of sexual assault may cause the victim to lose mobility and even consciousness. When the victim wakes up, they may not have any memory of being assaulted. This loss of memory can cause a victim to be confused and second-guess what happened to them. The effects of being drugged may be similar to “blacking out” from too many drinks or feel like a bad hangover the next day. If a person thinks they may have been drugged and assaulted, they should seek medical attention and a physical exam. 
“Date rape” drugs may be used on any gender. 

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women's Health, “Alcohol is the most commonly used date rape drug. Drugs used to facilitate sexual assault are often colorless, odorless and tasteless, and can be slipped into drinks without detection 50% of acquaintance rapes, involve alcohol consumption by the offender, victim or both.” 

Some common drugs used to spike alcoholic drinks are:

• Rohypnol is the trade name for flunitrazepam.
• Clonazepam (marketed as Klonopin in the U.S. and Rivotril in Mexico)
• Alprazolam (marketed as Xanax).
• GHB, which is short for gamma hydroxybutyric acid
• Ketamine is a quick-acting anesthetic that is legally used in both humans (as a sedative for minor surgery) and animals (as a tranquilizer). 

Emotional dysregulation may include::

• A lack of awareness, understanding, and acceptance of emotions
• A lack of adaptive strategies for regulating emotions (the intensity and/or duration)
• An unwillingness to experience emotional distress whilst pursuing desired goals
• An inability to engage in goal-directed behaviors when experiencing distress

In the book, The Body Keeps the Score, Bessel van der Kolk (a controversial person whose work highlights the therapeutic connection between the mind and body) states that people traumatized by sexual assault often report “feeling unsafe inside their bodies.” Survivors of sexual assault often experience various physical symptoms related to the trauma they experienced. Sometimes the symptoms show up in the form of chronic pain, or numbness and an inability to feel sensations in certain parts of the body. 

A person’s ability to sense their physical body is directly related to an internal awareness that furthers agency and a feeling of control over one’s own life. It is often recommended that survivors of sexual assault connect to body-based therapies, such as working with a dance/movement therapist, a somatic experiencing specialist, or take up a physical practice such as yoga in order find ways to safely re-inhabit their body after the trauma of sexual assault, and connect to their internal bodily sensations.

EMDR is a structured therapy which involves eye movement and other sensory stimulation (such as alternating sounds) while you process traumatic memories. EMDR’s goal is to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences—and help your brain process traumatic memories in a way that allows for healthy healing. 

Cultivating the ability to empathize with another is one of the first steps an ally can take, in order to show up for survivors of sexual assault. Brené Brown, detailed the four main attributes of empathy as the ability “to see the world as others see it, to be nonjudgmental, to understand another person’s feelings, and to communicate an understanding of that person’s feelings.“

Fawn is a term that was first used by Pete Walker, a C-PTSD survivor and a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in working with adults who were traumatized in childhood. According to Walker, fawn types seek safety by merging with the wishes, needs and demands of others. They act as if they unconsciously believe that the price of admission to any relationship is to give up all their needs, rights, preferences and boundaries.

When a survivor feels triggered or fearful, they may respond by fawning to appease the perpetrator, and as a means of survival. Fawning may also become a default response for survivors within other relationships making them more vulnerable to emotional abuse and exploitation. According to Walker, in circumstances of abuse (for example childhood abuse or intimate partner violence), abusers may suppress a survivor’s fight-or-flight responses by threatening punishment, leading to the survivor’s reliance on the fawn or freeze response. 

See also PTSD and Dissociation. 

When a person senses danger, their brain activates the autonomic nervous system response, and hormonal exchanges between the brain and the adrenal glands tell it to mobilize. This activation  is referred to as the fight-or-flight response, and is made possible by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). The SNS moves blood to the muscles for quick action, causing the adrenal glands to squirt out adrenaline (kind of like hitting the gas pedal), which speeds up the heart rate and increases blood pressure, preparing the body to fight or run. 

The freeze response acts to preserve life in the face of a threat that cannot be fought off or escaped from, such as in the case of being physically overpowered or held down. In order to survive the life-threatening event, or potentially feel less pain while being injured, the, “freeze state of an animal or person may involve some degree of numbness to pain”

Although the freeze response is an automatic response, many survivors of sexual assault feel guilt and shame for their body’s immobility. Some survivors feel like they should have or could have done more to fight back or flee the situation, but the autonomic nervous system does not discriminate or assign a hierarchy to these responses. The autonomic nervous system is involuntary- and life preserving- and cannot be controlled cognitively in moments of life or death. 

See also Dissociation.

Grounding techniques help reorient a person to the here-and-now of their present reality. They may help someone to regain their mental focus and regulate intense emotions that may arise. Sometimes when a survivor is triggered or begins to experience a flashback of their assault, a grounding technique may help to root them in the present moment and help to activate their parasympathetic response system. 

Some Examples of Grounding Techniques:

• Seated on a chair, firmly plant feet on the floor, eyes may be open or closed. If eyes are open, one may focus the gaze on a single object or focal point. Breathe in slowly through the nostrils for the count of three, then exhale out slowly through the nostrils, counting to 5. One may bring one’s focus to the body. Sitting up tall so the spine is long. Notice the feeling of having contact between the physical body and the chair’s surface. One may place their hands on their knees and imagine their legs to be tree trunks. One may imagine roots are growing from one’s feet, deep into the earth below the feet. Continue to inhale softly, and exhale fully until one is feeling calm and present.
   
• A good practice may be keeping a “grounding object” like a smooth stone, or a stress ball in one’s bag or pocket. When symptoms of anxiety begin, one may find the object and squeeze it - perhaps one may repeat a mantra of “I am safe, I am in the present” in one’s head or out loud. One may connect to their breath, by squeezing the object for the count of three while inhaling, and releasing the object for the count of 5, while exhaling.
   
• One may carry a small bottle of essential oil such as lavender, peppermint, or orange oil, to inhale if they begin to feel anxious or dis-regulated. The scent may help them feel calm, facilitate deep breathing, and orient them to the present moment.
   
• One may identify 5 things they can see, 4 things they can feel, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste. This exercise helps to connect to mindfulness, cognitively distract the mind, and also orient one to the present. Connecting to the breath, and trying to exhale deeply, activates the parasympathetic nervous system.

See also Embodied or visit this Resource on Tips for Self Regulation

The American Library Association defines hate speech as any form of expression where speakers intend to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or a class of persons on the basis of race, religion, skin color, sexual identity, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin. 

Hate crimes are overt acts that can include acts of violence against persons or property, violation or deprivation of civil rights, certain "true threats," or acts of intimidation, or conspiracy to commit these crimes.

There are as many paths to healing as there are people walking them. There is no set amount of time one is supposed to take in order to “heal” from sexual trauma. There is no set pathway that leads towards mending and recovery. Every person has their own unique reaction to sexual trauma, and everyone has different ways of coping. Wherever a person is on the road to healing, finding a supportive community & connection is a great place to start. 

According to the Department ofJustice, 60% of all sexual violence against female inmates is perpetrated by jail or prison staff. Sexual contact between an inmate and staff member is illegal and can never be consensual. The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was passed by Congress in 2003. The purpose of the act was to “provide for the analysis of the incidence and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and to provide information, resources, recommendations and funding to protect individuals from prison rape.” 

Due to the extreme power differential between inmate and prison staff, sexual assault in prison often goes unreported. The rape of inmates by other inmates is often overlooked and underreported for fear of retaliation by the perpetrator. 

See Under-Reported 

According to the National Sexual Assault Hotline, RAINN, “Relatives may include any family member such as parents, stepparents, siblings, uncles, grandparents and other blood relations as defined by law. Incest constitutes abuse when the child is unable to give informed consent to sexual activity due to the authority of the relative, the child’s dependency and lack of power, and/or the difference in ages between the child and the relative. The majority of juvenile victims know the perpetrator, and approximately 34 percent of perpetrators in cases of child sexual abuse are family members.”

Studies have shown that the effects of child sexual abuse can be long lasting and affect the victim’s mental health later in life. In addition, victims of sexual assault are more likely than non-victims to experience the following mental health challenges:

• About 4 times more likely to develop symptoms of drug abuse
• About 4 times more likely to experience PTSD as adults
• About 3 times more likely to experience a major depressive episode as adults

See also Sexual Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse, Disabilities + Sexual Assault, Rape

Intimate Partner Violence may include physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant characteristic of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other. Domestic Violence may include rape or various forms of sexual assault as a means of gaining power over and dominating victims. 

For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY).

It doesn’t matter where the victim was at the time of their assault, what they were wearing, or what they were doing. Rape is always the fault of the perpetrator. No matter what the situation is, it is never okay for someone to force a person to engage in sexual acts, or to perform sexual acts on a person who is unable to consent.

See Consent and Victim Blaming.

Sexual assault can happen to anyone of any age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. 

Due to social attitudes and stereotypes surrounding masculinity, men and boys who have been sexually assaulted or abused, may face additional barriers to resources. Stereotypes, homophobia, rigid gender roles, and the pervasive rape culture can make it hard for male survivors to disclose a sexual assault to friends, family, or the community.  According to RAINN, Male victims may also have a hard time being believed, especially, if the assault was perpetrated by a woman. Some men who have survived sexual assault as adults feel shame or self-doubt,  believing that they should have been ‘strong enough’ to fight off the perpetrator.

From 1in6.org:  Male survivors who experience normal physiological responses to sexual stimulation such as an erection are confused by their bodies’ response. No matter how a person’s body responds to a sexual assault, it is never the victim’s fault. 

According to the Department of Justice:

• As of 1998, 2.78 million men in the U.S. had been victims of attempted or completed rape.
• About 3% of American men—or 1 in 33—have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.
• 1 out of every 10 rape victims are male.

See also Toxic Masculinity

The rallying cry “Me Too”, was created by Tarana Burke, founder and director of Just Be, Inc. According to her website, the movement was created “to give young women, particularly young women of color from low wealth communities, a sense of empowerment from the understanding that they are not alone in their circumstances.” 

Burke founded the METOO movement in response to her work within these communities:

“The position of the Just Be, Inc. organization, is that young women from low wealth backgrounds run the risk of being left feeling voiceless when they don’t see themselves properly represented by various advocate groups. The me too Movement™ seeks to fill in those gaps and remove cultural barriers to resources for help and healing. Even as traumatic as sexual abuse, assault or exploitation is, sometimes there is nothing as powerful as knowing that you are not alone. The sooner young women understand that they are not an anomaly, the sooner they can begin their healing process. This is at the heart of The Me Too Movement™”

Although METOO was created by Burke in 2006, in 2017, actress Alyssa Milano used the hashtag #metoo as a show of solidarity with survivors of sexual assault amid sexual assault allegations against prominent Hollywood producer, Harvey Weinstein. At that time, she did not credit Tarana Burke for founding the Me Too Movement. This prompted renewed conversations regarding the lack of attention surrounding the experiences of sexual assault experienced by women of color. 

MST captures this spectrum of experiences, defined as “psychological trauma, which in the judgment of a mental health professional, resulted from a physical assault of sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment which occurred while the Veteran was serving on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training.” (Source: An Overview of Sexual Trauma in the U.S. Military / Lofgreen, A. M., Carroll, K. K., Dugan, S. A., & Karnik, N. S., 2017)

Awareness of the epidemic of sexual violence within the U.S. Armed Forces has grown over the past two-and-a-half decades. MST is currently recognized as a far-reaching problem that necessitates intervention. Despite efforts to address the depth of MST, sexual violence in the military often goes unreported. 

According to the Department of Defense:

• 18,900 military members experienced unwanted sexual contact in the fiscal year ending September, 2014
• 4.3% of active duty women and 0.9% of active duty men experienced unwanted sexual contact in FY14
• Of the 18,900 survivors, 43% of females and 10% of males reported
• Almost half of all Veterans who report MST are men 

See Under-reported.

See Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Incest.

No does NOT mean “maybe” or “convince me.” No does not mean “guilt me,” “manipulate me” or “let’s talk about this some more.” No means NO, absolutely not, the end. 

See Consent.

Creative arts therapies, including music, art and movement, can help survivors of sexual assault express themselves without words. According to Bessel van der Kolk (a controversial person whose work highlights the therapeutic connection between the mind and body), “traumatic memories need to be transformed, contextualized, and given meaning, but words alone may be inadequate for addressing the negative imprint of trauma.” Body-based therapies like yoga , EMDR, neuro-feedback, and mindfulness meditation are among the recommended practices now utilized to keep the mind, brain, and body fully engaged in the present rather than trapped in the traumatic past.” 

See also Art Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, EMDR, or Somatic Therapies, or Yoga.

Each state has different restraining order laws that lay out the requirements for getting an order of protection. An order of protection does not guarantee safety. 

Some examples of orders of protection are:

• Stalking No Contact Order
• Domestic violence order of protection
• Sexual Assault- Civil No Contact Order: “Similar to a domestic violence order of protection, a civil no contact order is a court order that can protect a survivor and their family or household members from an abuser if they are the victim of non-consensual sexual conduct or nonconsensual sexual penetration. 
• Unlike the domestic violence order of protection, a survivor does not need to have a specific relationship with the abuser to get a civil no contact order.”

The personal relationship between the ‘respondent’ (person alleged to commit the prohibited act) and the victim (person to be protected) determines which kind of petition would be filed. A protective order is a method to help keep a victim of family abuse or stalking safe from further acts of violence or stalking. A permanent protective order will usually only be issued after a full hearing before the appropriate court.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, your parasympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that relaxes your body after periods of stress or danger. It also helps run life-sustaining processes, like digestion, during times when you feel safe and relaxed.

Perpetrators of rape and sexual assault are often serial criminals. According to statistics from the Department of Justice, out of 1000 Perpetrators referred to prosecutors:

• 370 have at least one prior felony conviction, including 100 who have 5 or more
• 520 will be released—either because they posted bail or for other reasons—while awaiting trial
• 70 of the released perpetrators will be arrested for committing another crime before their case is decided.

It is important to note that the imprisonment of sex offenders is a “poor substitute for substantive and transformative social change.” Despite evidence that penal measures do not necessarily keep communities safe from sexual violence, incarceration is one of the only options for containing sexual predators. A more substantive long-term solution to address the epidemic of sexual violence is needed. Although the 1990’s saw an effort to monitor sexual predators through sex offender registries, surveillance of sex offenders, does not keep communities safe from sexual violence.

A PTSD diagnosis may be given to a person in a medical setting as a way of categorizing and justifying the treatment for the symptoms the traumatized person is experiencing. (Please note:  Some people prefer to use the term “Rape Trauma Syndrome” to describe the symptoms a person experiences during and after an act of sexual violence.)  

A person may receive a diagnosis of PTSD after a sexual assault that they experienced directly, or witnessed if in the aftermath of the assault, they re-experience the trauma during nightmares and flashbacks. There are other key symptoms of PTSD, including feeling isolated, irritable, aggressive, negative, hyper vigilant, having difficulty recalling key features of the trauma, difficulty concentrating, or sleeping. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “people who identify as lesbian, gay and bisexual experience sexual violence at similar or higher rates than heterosexuals.”The “National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects estimates that nearly one in ten LGBTQ survivors of intimate partner violence has experienced sexual assault from those partners. Studies suggest that around half of transgender people and bisexual women will experience sexual violence at some point in their lifetimes.” In addition, “within the LGBTQ community, transgender people and bisexual women face the most alarming rates of sexual violence. Among both of these populations, sexual violence begins early, often during childhood. 

The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that 47% of transgender people are sexually assaulted at some point in their lifetime,” according to the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. People in the LGBTQ community often face a variety of challenges that add layers to their intersectional identities. Those that identify within this community have “higher rates of poverty, stigma, and marginalization, which put them at greater risk for sexual assault, and the symptoms associated with PTSD.” They also face higher rates of hate-motivated violence which can often take the form of sexual assault. 

People in the LGBTQ community often encounter discrimination in response to their identities, which can make them reluctant to seek resources for healing within institutions and systems that may further exacerbate their trauma.

See also Incarceration and Sexual Assault, and Xenephobia

The act of raping someone is not only about sex, but the use of sexual acts to dominate and overpower the person being assaulted. The specific use of sexual acts to overpower and degrade another person violates the most intimate and vulnerable parts of that person. The violent act of rape produces a psychological trauma, comparable only to the combat of war. 

See also Sexual Assault, Child Sexual Assault, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). 

Rape culture affects us all, regardless of gender identity, sexuality, economic status, race, religion or age. In rape culture, survivors are often made to feel as though they are responsible for the violence inflicted upon them. They are bombarded with messages that suggest they should have done something differently, that they somehow "invited" the assault, or that their worth has been diminished because of what happened to them. 
Rape culture theorists find sexism is related to rape and sexual assault as it maintains the imbalance of power between men and women, limiting women’s ability to have their voices heard both figuratively through Victim Blaming and literally through ignoring the word ‘no.’

See also Consent and Zero Tolerance.

A person who has experienced a sexual assault may choose to go to the emergency room to receive a thorough physical examination, as well as have DNA evidence collected from their body, clothes, and other personal belongings by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) — a registered nurse who has received specialized education and fulfilled clinical requirements to perform the exam. 

See also Volunteer

“Sex work is any type of labor where the explicit goal is to produce a sexual or erotic response in the client. Sex work includes prostitution, but it also describes other forms of work like erotic dancing, webcam work, sensual massage, adult film, phone sex, etc.” 

The “institutional alienation of sex workers from law enforcement protection,” leaves sex workers vulnerable to sexual assault. According to Sex Workers Outreach Project, (SWOP) “most interactions between sex workers and law enforcement involve the arrest of sex workers, and law enforcement and judicial system officials frequently ignore or doubt reports of sexual assault made by sex workers.” Sex workers rarely report sexual and physical assaults to law enforcement because of their distrust of the legal system, which makes them more vulnerable to sexual violence. 

Also referred to as sexual assault or sexual violence, it includes unwanted sexual touching, forced oral sex, and rape, among other sexual acts. No matter which act occurs, it’s not the survivor’s fault that they were abused—and help is available to begin healing from such abuse.

See also Child Sexual Abuse, Disabilities (and Sexual Assault), Rape, Incest  

What is sexual assault? 
The term sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim. Some forms of sexual assault include:

• Attempted rape
• Fondling or unwanted sexual touching
• Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body
• Penetration of the victim’s body, 
• Nonconsensual sex acts also known as rape

Sexual Assault is defined differently from state to state. According to the Justice Department, The legal definition of sexual assault encompasses “any nonconsensual (see Consent) sexual act forbidden by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.” 

The Rape and Incest National Network (RAINN) has a State Law Database that details how each state defines sexual assault.

See also Sexual Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse, Disabilities (and Sexual Assault), Rape, Incest

The permissive attitudes toward sexual harassment allows sexism and the objectification of women to continue within the rape culture that permeates the society we live within. 

Some examples of Sexual Harassment are:

• Verbal abuse - jokes or conversations about sex
• Physical contact that is unwanted including physical assault
• A sexual suggestion or explicit language about sex that is unwanted
• Pressure for sex and/or demanding sexual favors
• Showing sexually explicit or degrading materials or media
• A pattern of sexually discriminatory remarks. Harassment can happen at work, at school, or on the street in public spaces. 
• Any unwanted verbal or physical interaction is sexual harassment.

See also Consent and Zero Tolerance.

Examples of slut-shaming include: 

• calling someone a “slut” 
• demeaning someone for wearing revealing clothes (regardless of what they’re actually wearing) 
• spreading rumors about someone’s sex life 
• trash-talking someone for having sex (regardless of what’s true) 
• Victim blaming someone for a sexual assault 
• yelling at someone for going to a sexual health care center 

The reason slut-shamers target people is to make themselves feel more powerful by putting other people down. Slut-shaming can happen online or IRL; directly or behind someone’s back; from people you know or don’t know.

See Rape Culture

Somatic therapy focuses on how emotions and trauma show up in the body. Recognizing that sexual trauma can be stored in the body as well as the mind, somatic therapy uses physical techniques, such as movement and breathwork, to help people release this trauma and promote healing. 

See Non-Verbal Therapeutic Approaches, Art Therapy, Dance Movement Therapy, and EMDR.

• Call 911 in life-threatening situations
• Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 (para ayuda en español, llame al 988). The Lifeline provides 24-hour, confidential support to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. 
• Reach out to someone you trust, like a family member or friend.
• If you are a veteran, you can call the Veterans Crisis Line at Dial 988 and press 1. 
  or Text 838255 You can also visit their online chat service for support 24/7.
• Find help for LGBTQ youth at the Trevor Project.

Both the label “victim” and “survivor” are used to describe persons that have experienced sexual assault, and both are applicable. Medical professionals and Law enforcement officials use the word victim when referring to someone who has recently been affected by sexual violence; or when referring to a specific crime or case against a perpetrator. The word survivor is often used to refer to someone who is going through the recovery process, or when discussing the short, or long-term effects of sexual violence. 

Some people use the word survivor as a way of reclaiming power and agency after they have experienced assault. Some people identify as victims, while others prefer the term survivor. It is important to let the person who experienced the assault define themselves in the way in which they choose to be defined, and to respect and support their decision.

Therapy is an option for healing from sexual trauma. It involves talking with a trained professional, like a therapist or counselor, to address and work through challenges. There are many different types of therapy, each with its own approach and techniques. 

Some common types of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy. Survivors may also benefit from specialized forms of therapy, such as trauma-focused CBT or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). For those who choose therapy, finding an approach and therapist is a personal decision and it may take a little time to find what works best for you. 

Many people choose not to engage in structured therapy and that is ok too. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center puts it like this: ”...healing can take many different forms and doesn’t always have to include seeing a therapist or going to counseling. Many survivors find great results from meditation, reading, or processing their trauma outside of an official setting.” 

See also Somatic Therapies, and Art Therapy, and Dance Movement Therapy.

Some argue that socially constructed gender binaries that prescribe inherently “masculine” and “feminine” behavior, is the true source of this toxicity. The concept of toxic masculinity seems to be closely related to, or perhaps a foundation for, rape culture. 

See also Victim Blaming.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1 (888) 373-7888 

Sex Trafficking is not to be confused with sex work, which is the consensual exchange of sexual acts for goods or services performed by a sex worker. Sex trafficking has devastating consequences for the trafficked individual.  If victims of trafficking are detained by law enforcement, they may face criminal prosecution for prostitution. 

In addition, victims may suffer from long-lasting physical and psychological trauma, PTSD , disease (HIV/AIDS), drug addiction, malnutrition and social ostracism.

Judith Lewis Herman, a contemporary psychiatrist who developed the diagnosis of Complex PTSD shares in her book, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence–from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror, that:  “Traumatic events overwhelm the ordinary systems of care that give people a sense of control, connection, and meaning.” 

“Traumatic events are extraordinary, not because they occur rarely, but rather because they overwhelm the ordinary human adaptations to life. Unlike commonplace misfortunes, traumatic events generally involve threats to life or bodily integrity, or a close personal encounter with violence and death. They confront human beings with the [extremes] of helplessness and terror, and evoke the responses of catastrophe.”

When describing symptoms related to PTSD, the word trigger refers to a reminder of the past trauma that sets off (or activates) a neurological reaction that could lead to flashbacks, dissociative episodes, anxiety attacks, or any combination of these symptoms where the person being “triggered” is reliving the danger and associated physiological responses they experienced during the original trauma. 

A trigger could be anything that even vaguely reminds the person of the trauma, even unconsciously, such as the scent of someone’s cologne, a song on the radio, or a particular street corner. A person in a “triggered” state may feel like they are re-living the traumatic event, and may not be able to cognitively understand that they are not presently in danger. Grounding techniques and/or conscious breathing may help to calm the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) of a person who is triggered.  

See Flight, Fight, or Freeze.

Sexual violence is often referred to as a silent epidemic, due to the high rate of assaults in contrast to the low rate of reporting. According to the Department of Justice, only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police. That translates into 2 out of 3 sexual assaults going unreported. 

There are many reasons why a survivor may not report a sexual assault. This silence exists in relation to a culture that often condones or turns a blind eye to sexual assault, a culture that shames or blames the victim. 

See Rape Culture and Victim Blaming.

People who witness sexual violence or hold space for someone recovering from sexual trauma, may experience vicarious trauma. This can happen to allies, friends, family members, first responders, health-care workers, those working in the criminal justice system, and communities at large. 

The trauma of sexual violence can affect anyone who comes into contact with it, even on an unconscious level. Allies that support victims after an assault may experience symptoms like nightmares, anxiety, and hyper-vigilance as a result of the stories they bear witness to. It’s important that those who support or work directly with survivors of sexual assault, also find ways of processing the trauma they encounter, through support groups, community care, counseling, and other therapeutic modalities.

Victim blaming can appear in the form of negative social reactions from legal, medical, and mental health professionals, as well as from the media, immediate family members, and other acquaintances. Misconceptions about victims, perpetrators, and the nature of sexual violence can also contribute to victim blaming. Victims sometimes blame themselves and internalize the shame and anger they experience as a result of the assault. Victim blaming, may also be the direct result of being victimized while living within a dominant rape culture. Blame for sexual violence can be attributed to a widespread cultural attitude that condones the violence towards, and domination of, women and marginalized communities. 

There is no activity, clothing item, or amount of drinks that a victim has had that justifies the violent act of sexual assault. Sexual assault is a felony crime, and the perpetrator who committed the assault, and the society that permits them to, are to blame. 

See Rape Culture and It’s Not Your Fault.

Volunteers may act as a medical advocate, meeting survivors in emergency rooms to inform them of their rights and be by their side if they decide to participate in a rape kit. Volunteers may answer the phone at a hotline. Volunteers may provide legal advocacy or educational and outreach services for survivors and their allies. 

There are currently hundreds of rape crisis centers located nationally that rely heavily upon the support of volunteers. There are national organizations and independent sexual assault service providers, dedicated to helping survivors at the local level. 

Volunteering for a local rape crisis center is one way to support survivors and combat sexual violence in an impactful way. 

See Ally, Community & Connection, and It’s Not Your Fault.

Xenophobia and sexual violence can intersect violently, when experienced by people who are foreign. “Nationally and internationally, xenophobia has the political face of exclusion or inclusion and access to resources. Immigrants and refugees have very little recourse, and little access to resources when it comes to sexual violence. Often times, it is clear that sexual violence perpetrated against foreigners, has the attributes of a hate crime”. 

Foreign people who experience sexual violence without citizenship status, are some of the most vulnerable to the complex trauma that may follow a sexual assault. 

See also Hate Crime 

Because yoga is body-oriented, people who have participated in yoga have described improvement in their  body awareness. Using physical stretching poses, yoga allows a person to slowly and deliberately engage with their body in a safe and controlled way. Yoga is structured but also emphasizes choice. 

The practice holds space for deep breathing, and  connection to the natural rhythms of the body. Yoga uses breathwork and meditation to expand mindfulness, which helps to address many symptoms associated with PTSD such as dissociation and anxiety. Many community centers and local park districts offer access to yoga classes for all levels of students. In addition, there are a variety of yoga tutorials streaming online for free.

See also Embodied, Breathing, Grounding 

Committing to a zero tolerance attitude, means creating safe environments for all people to exist, free from sexist jokes, harassment, and sexual violence. Employing a zero tolerance standard towards behavior that contributes to the rape culture, means speaking up and out against all forms of sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and gender-based violence. One may do this by calling in friends, family, and institutions to engage in meaningful dialogue surrounding the concepts of victim blaming and rape culture. 

See also No Means No.