It is any action which is forced, coerced or tricked into taking part in a sexual act. It includes being exposed to any sexual action against your will. Also it applies to anyone who can not give consent like a minor or a mentally affected person. It is assault when some one uses there age, size, authority or position or trust to make a person perform a sexual act. Every sexual assault is a a crime. A sexual assault is an attack on the person’s body, senses or emotions and on the person as a whole. The effects can last a life time and are life changing. the sooner you go for help the better. Counselling and sexual assault counselling is best. They can make a world of difference to how you feel. Also reporting sexual assault to the police can be a healing process and can help you to heal from the abuse. Talking about what was done to you is part of the healing process and will help you to feel better. Many a victim keeps sexual assault a secret for years afraid to talk about what was done to them. It has been my experience that it is not healing to do this and causes harm to you. So the sooner you talk about it the better and then the healing can begin. Tell someone that you trust a friend, a family member, a counsellor or even a police officer. If the person you tell does not respond in a helpful way then go to another person and tell them. Sometimes family and friends don’t know how to respond to you telling them they may not mean to respond in a non helpful way. It is important for you to get some support while you begin to heal going to a women’s group for abuse of sexual assault is a great idea and can be very healing. It is also empowering to educate yourself about this because when you understand what is happening for you feel better. Do what makes you feel good and healing. there is no standard way for you to feel after a sexual assault what ever makes you feel better is the way to go. Every victim responds different. so do what make you feel good.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence cal 1800737732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au in an emergency call 000.
Moral: Take care of you and do what helps you to heal!
Some of the effects of sexual assault are
Want to hide away
Afraid of self
Try’s to control things around you
Feel unsafe in your body
Feels like things are out of control
Eating problems
Weight gain
Loss of trust
Feeling damaged
Frightened/Scared
Feeling dirty
shut down
Problems with relationships
isolation? Angry
Guilt/ disbelief
Nightmares
Depression/ Anxiety
Numb and shock
What Helps A victim To Heal
Exercise you love to do
A hobby you love to do
Having counselling
Do something creative about what happened to you
Joining a support group for abuse or sexual assault
Educating yourself about abuse and sexual assault
Reprting crime to the police so you can help another victim is also very healing to you
Have a support team (friends and family) to call when needed
Improving the sustem, helping other victims
Ring a support call number for abuse
Writing in a diary about your feelings
Moral: Take care of you and do what helps you to heal!
