Many of us have heard about rape many times in movies, news, and media, and we know that it is a critical topic, and a lot of research and reviews have been done about it. However, there is another important category that has been less discussed, and that is sexual Assault. Sexual Assault, if not worse than rape, is no less. In this article, we will first talk about sexual Assault and how it differs from rape, and then we will provide strategies to help someone who has been assaulted. Stay with us.
Is sexual Assault the same as rape?
Sexual Assault is similar to sexual Assault, but it has differences. Rape means when the aggressor has sexual intercourse (including penetration) with another person by resorting to physical force. Rape happens to both men and women, whether heterosexual or homosexual.
Sexual Assault is broader and includes a wide range of sexual acts that a person or a group of people perform on a person without their consent. Sexual Assault includes various shows, for example:
When the abuser touches your body or forces, you to touch him.
When he caresses you, kisses you, or forcefully hugs you without your consent.
When he has oral, vaginal, anal, or any other type of sex with you against your will.
When you are on the street or in other environments, he harasses you by throwing sexual slurs, or when you sit in a taxi or bus, he torments you by touching your body parts.
Apart from these, sexual harassment, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, and even sending sexual text messages are considered a form of Assault. Therefore, sexual Assault covers many things and may or may not involve sexual intercourse. This sexual act violates all personal boundaries and the sexual independence of the victim.
Sexual Assault is considered a subset of violent acts, even if done without violence, because the aggressor does it to instill a sense of power over the victim. A person who commits sexual Assault may be a stranger or someone close to you. It may also be done individually or in groups.
What should we do if we are sexually assaulted?
Unlike rape, sexual Assault does not necessarily mean sexual intercourse.
First, we must say that sexual Assault in any form is wrong, and if it happened to you, it is not your fault.
Many people do not know what to do or how to react after this problem occurs. It is a difficult task because a wave of different emotions, such as anger, pain, sadness, and extreme fatigue, overwhelms the victim, depriving him of the ability to decide. Sexual Assault of any kind can harm a person. Even if a person escapes from it, it may still leave its adverse effects. Of course, people who have gone through such a bad experience differ in their understanding of it and what kind of help they need. This means that each person recovers from this traumatic event differently. Learning what to do after a sexual assault can help you with future actions and recovery.
According to Jessica Klein, a clinical social worker at the Southern California School of Nursing, to recover from a sexual assault experience, you need to take the basic steps we’ve written below.
1. Provide security for yourself
The most important thing to do immediately after experiencing sexual Assault is to protect yourself. Usually, people do not realize that during physical/sexual Assault, the brain is in a hyper-reaction mode. Therefore, the limbic part of the brain, which checks emotions and is responsible for the fight or flight mechanism, overcomes the logical part of the brain and does not allow a person to make the right decision.
” The first and most important thing to do is to provide yourself with security,” says Ms. Klein. For example, call your closest friend or a family member to come and stay with you. “Getting under a few layers of blankets can also be helpful because it helps your body feel safe.”
2. Get someone to support you
After you feel safe for yourself, you should seek support from others. Klein explains that after the initial shock caused by the trauma of the Assault, you will usually experience a period of anxiety or depression.
One of the common psychological problems after sexual Assault is dissociation. Dissociation is a feeling of disconnection from sensory experiences, identity, or personal history. In this case, the person cannot wholly or partially recall past experiences. So it’s best to seek help from someone you trust: someone who won’t try to find out the details of the attack but will listen carefully and offer emotional support.
3. Get a medical examination
Many victims of sexual Assault hesitate to see a doctor at first. If this has happened to you, you must see a doctor to examine you. Depending on the actions the abuser has committed, the doctor will offer solutions to address your emotional, physical, and psychological needs. Visiting a doctor or medical center has advantages, some of which are:
Providing special forensic kits to collect the victim’s DNA and other evidence, mainly if sexual intercourse occurs. This is necessary to identify the attacker.
Receive emotional support from trained treatment staff. (This gives the victim peace of mind.)
Recommendations for counseling services, follow-up medical care, etc., that can help the person in the recovery process.
Usually, victims of sexual Assault deny this issue for the reasons we will discuss later. The victim’s denial makes it more challenging to take essential steps in the healing process and makes the abuser more reckless and likely to do it again. This is why kits are so important. They prove that the Assault happened and cannot be denied.
Remember, if you want to take legal action against the abuser, don’t shower, comb your hair, change your clothes, and don’t urinate before using the kit. These actions may destroy physical evidence.
4. Be sure to check out the event
Most people who are victims of sexual Assault have a strong desire to avoid investigating the whole incident. At the same time, examining this event helps people to identify healthy defense mechanisms to deal with emotions and psychological effects caused by aggression.
” You’re not going to get better by avoiding the issue, ” says Klein. You cannot avoid it or deny it. You have to check it and pass it.”
Writing about the incident, talking about it with someone you trust, or seeking professional counseling are some healthy defense mechanisms for dealing with a sexual assault incident. Of course, not all people need professional counseling after such a challenging experience. However, most people experience emotional and psychological problems and show reactions that we will examine below.
Possible reactions of victims of sexual Assault
A person may experience many mental and emotional problems after sexual Assault.
Denial: The person does not accept the occurrence of sexual Assault and refuses to deal with it.
Memory loss or dissociation: The person cannot remember some or all of the details of the traumatic event.
Self-doubt: The person does not trust their intuition or blames themselves for the abuser’s attack.
Guilt: the victim blames himself for the Assault that has been done to him, which can intensify the negative effect of the trauma.
Anxiety: A person may experience mild anxiety or severe paralyzing anxiety and panic attacks.
Post-traumatic stress disorder: This problem, which a mental health professional can only treat, involves the inability to recover after experiencing a traumatic event.
Other possible reactions of a person after the attack is:
anger;
reduced trust and security;
depression;
sleep problems and nightmares;
difficulty in maintaining relationships and enjoying marital relationships;
the fear;
Decreased self-esteem ;
mood swings;
shame;
shock
Anorexia.
If you need counseling, see someone trained to help rape victims. The treatment aims to reduce the overall adverse effects of the trauma that you may have suffered.
5. Take legal action against sexual Assault
After sexual Assault, you must take legal action against the aggressor. This process is a bit complicated because many victims of sexual Assault are somewhat confused due to the emotional damage caused and may be reluctant to report the Assault immediately, primarily because in most sexual assaults, the person who assaulted them is usually at the center. Knows. According to reports, in 8 out of 10 sexual assaults worldwide, the victim and the assailant know each other. Also, almost 6 out of 10 sexual assaults happen in the victim’s own home, the home of a friend or relative, or at school or university. Of course, some assaults are also done on the street, in quiet alleys, or even in public places, which may include emotional or verbal abuse. Unfortunately, the legal pursuit of these cases is more complicated.
Therefore, many victims experience shame, anxiety, or intense fear due to knowing the abuser and worrying about what others will think about them. Especially when it comes to legal action, this issue shows itself more. Another reason that often discourages the victim from reporting the Assault is to testify and face the perpetrator in court.
6. Make an effort to re-establish social contact
Usually, it is not easy to return to the previous life after confronting and examining the injuries caused by sexual Assault. Many victims may even avoid situations or places that remind them of the event. If you’re not ready yet, don’t force yourself to resume socializing. Everything should gradually return to normal. If you cannot continue your everyday life, get help from others. Group therapy can help you re-establish social connections. This will reduce or alleviate the symptoms of depression and improve mental and emotional health. By fully understanding what the victim has gone through, the facilitator of this group helps the whole group heal in the long run.
Gradually get involved in social activities, connect with old friends, and make new ones. Attending training classes or social events and going to the gym is beneficial. Some non-profit organizations in our country provide services to victims of sexual Assault and rape. You can also count on their help.
7. Don’t forget constant self-care
The process of treatment and recovery is long. Be kind to yourself, don’t blame yourself, and let go of guilt, self-doubt, and other negative emotions (which are natural, of course). Some practical measures in this field are:
Take time to heal your body and mind again.
Avoid constantly keeping yourself busy, so you don’t think about the event.
Use relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation.
Start a regular exercise program or continue with one you already have.
See a doctor to solve problems such as insomnia.
Avoid things like drinking alcohol or taking drugs that may make things worse. Drinking alcohol is depressant and interferes with the natural process of emotional healing, and can exacerbate trauma symptoms such as anger, depression, and social isolation.
How to deal with the victim of sexual Assault?
If someone has been sexually assaulted, listen and support them without asking for details.
Suppose a person is a victim of sexual Assault and asks you for help. How you treat him is very important and can significantly reduce the effects of the injury, especially if he is a child. Do these things:
Believe him and tell him that you believe him.
Listen to him, but don’t ask for details. Avoid saying things like, “You should have stopped him” or “You shouldn’t have let him.” He may think you are blaming him.
Never tell him, “it was your fault; you made a mistake.” Sexual Assault is always wrong and heinous, and it is never the victim’s fault.
Provide practical support. For example, ask whether he will accompany him to report this event.
Respect his decision. If he doesn’t want to report it, don’t pressure him.
Don’t forget that the Assault may have sensitized him, and he doesn’t want anyone to touch him. Don’t even try to hug him to sympathize with him. Ask permission first and if it’s okay, hug him or shake his hands.
If the victim is your spouse, remember that it may be scary for him to have sex. So don’t pressure him.
Never tell him, “enough, forget it.” He needs time to deal with feelings and emotions. You can help him by listening and being patient.
If the victim is a child and you do not know how to help him, seek help from a child counselor. Remember that children are much more vulnerable than adults.
False beliefs about sexual Assault
1. It’s okay to force someone to have sex if they’re drunk, dressed provocatively, or on a date!
No reason justifies sexual Assault. Even if a naked person walks on the street, you have no right to assault him. The type of clothing or behavior of a person is not a reason to assault him. Assault is a crime in any situation and society, and no blame will be placed on the victim.
2. The victim is usually a stranger!
By the way, sexual Assault mostly happens to someone who knows the victim. The reason is that the aggressor often thinks that the familiar person does not dare to speak because of shame or worry about what people will say. However, it is not that strangers do not do such a thing.
3. Forcing a spouse to have sex is not considered Assault!
Having sex is not considered a duty. Any sexual activity without consent is a form of sexual Assault. If you have had marital relations with your wife a thousand times, you must ask her permission for the thousandth time. Even if you forcefully kiss her, meaning she doesn’t want to (at least at that moment), you’ve still assaulted her.
4. Assault is always accompanied by violence!
It is not so. Sometimes sexual Assault may not be violent. If your answer to the request for sex is no, even if you do not resist and it is not done violently, it is still called Assault.
5. Only men commit sexual Assault!
This is also incorrect. Sexual Assault does not recognize gender. People of any gender can commit or be victims of sexual Assault. Only maybe the statistics for men are higher.
This may be true for men as well. If you are a woman and your husband does not want sex with you for any reason, you have no right to force him to do so.
6. If it were Assault, my body would not react!
Some people think that if their body reacts or is stimulated during an assault, it means pleasure and is not called Assault. It’s wrong. The human body, whether male or female, can be irritated when touched, even if it is in a state of aggression. For example, if you are a man and had a strong erection during the Assault or a woman and had vaginal discharge, it does not prove that you enjoyed it. Your displeasure is the only thing that determines the offensiveness of this act.
final word
Sexual Assault is a crime everywhere in the world and any society, and no one has the right to Assault another. Nothing justifies this behavior, and the victim is never to blame; Even if his type of clothing, behavior, or actions are against the norms of society, assaulting him will not be allowed. A person who sexually assaults others is a criminal in any dress and position. Therefore, never be afraid to report sexual Assault and follow it up. In this article, we listed some essential strategies for recovering victims after sexual Assault and support for these people. We hope these contents have been helpful to you.
If you or someone close to you has been a victim of sexual Assault, please write your experience here. You can use a nickname. Your profile will not be published in any way. Your or someone’s experience of sexual Assault can help many people.
Warning! This article is only for educational purposes; to use it, it is necessary to consult a doctor or specialist.
