The road to recovery after rape is a difficult one, and no article will give you all of the tools you need to recover from sexual assault. These tips are meant to be a guideline to help victims start down the road to recovery.
Statistically speaking, women are more likely to be the victims of sexual assault than men. However, the suggestions in this article can be helpful for anyone who has been the victim of rape, as they tend to face many of the same issues.
Seek Medical Attention
Survivors of sexual assault may have internal and external injuries that should be treated by a physician. The medical exam may assist authorities in collecting evidence against the rapist. Treatment can also be a means for prevent the transmission of STDs and pregnancy.
Decide Whether or Not to Report the Crime
There are several reasons to report a rape. First of all, many survivors of sexual assault want to know that the rapist is caught and punished for his crimes. Survivors can also help prevent the attacker from assaulting other victims. Helping authorities arrest and convict the rapist can empower survivors and make them feel less helpless.
There are women, however, who decide not to report a sexual assault to the police. There are several reasons why she might not want to press charges, because it can be a very painful and long process for the victim. In the end, each person must decide whether or not to file a police report.
Find Ways to Be Safer
On the road to recovery, many victims find it helps to think of ways to be safer. Some take martial arts or close combat training classes as a way to feel more empowered. Others add home security, change the locks, or walk with a buddy every time they are out after dark. These actions can help a victim feel like she is not powerless.
Look for Support
Finding the right support may take some time. Finding supportive family members who do not blame or criticize is a good first step. Victims of sexual assault need more than one person to reach out to for support because while one person might be able to help out with day-to-day activities, another might be more adept at offering emotional support after a trauma.
Sometimes it's best for survivors to talk with someone they don't personally know. Counseling hot-lines and rape crisis centers can be useful. These people are trained to offer help emotionally as well as practically. Many workers and volunteers in these roles are able to help rape survivors get the services they need.
Psychotherapy might also be needed. Rape is a trauma that can bring on an onslaught of anxieties and issues. Many victims have trouble with trust, control, self-esteem, and sexuality. Rape hot-line counselors cannot provide the long-term psychological treatment that therapists can. Recovery can be a slow process. Over the course of time, effective therapies—from counseling to martial arts training—will help the victim to think less and less about the assault and more and more about the future and personal goals.
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