Rape and sexual abuse victims are told a lot of things, such as “they asked for it”, or that they did not fight back hard enough, or that it was their fault for not being cautious enough. All such misconceptions can get in the way of anyone trying to heal from sexual abuse, which is why healing may seem impossible. But that is not the case, as there is always a way out. Here are some things you can do to overcome the pain.
Acknowledge Your Experience Without Shame
The first step in dealing with the trauma of sexual abuse is to acknowledge that it happened to you as society can be very harsh to people who undergo such forms of abuse. Society starts judging the victims, even blaming them. It can make you feel vulnerable, exposed, weak, and even disgusted with yourself. You need not let such feelings get to you and understand the pain that you have just been through.
Even if people do not blame you, you may blame yourself for trusting someone you were warned not to trust, for being drunk, for not taking the necessary precautions, or for not doing more to prevent what happened. You need to understand that during the times of high distress, the body goes into shock and fails to respond, so it is not your fault. Do not blame anyone except the assaulter, as all the responsibility is on them only. Let go of harmful thoughts like “I deserved this” or “they’re a good person and I must have provoked them.”
Do not Try to Heal on Your Own
You need to open up about your experience if you want to heal. Go to someone whom you can trust and who will not judge you or blame you for whatever happened like а close friend, family member, or а therapist. There are also helplines that you can call up, and talk to professionals, who can connect you with therapists and support groups. There you will find people who have experienced similar things, as over half of women in the US report having endured sexual violence, which is why it is so necessary to talk about it and heal with each other. If you want to heal and ease the burden in your heart, you will have to share the pain with someone. It may be a challenging experience to share your pain with someone, but it is going to be even more challenging to heal just on your own.
Understand Your Legal Rights
Hold the perpetrator accountable, and if you feel emotionally ready, consider using your legal rights to pursue justice. For someone battling а sexual trauma, just doing normal routine things and not beating themselves up is a hard chore. But if you feel like you have the capacity to pursue justice for whatever happened to you, know that support is available. For instance, if you have faced abuse in San Francisco, California sexual abuse lawyers can help you fight your case while respecting you and being sensitive about your case. You can file for action against the abuser or get compensation for any emotional distress or loss of wages, or any other loss you suffered because of the incident.
Be Patient with Yourself
Any form of healing takes time, and healing from a trauma like sexual abuse takes even longer. There is no rush, so give yourself a break when you start to feel tired. Try to limit your media consumption, as you may see violent things that may trigger you. Or you may see something that can bring back memories and the pain associated with them. Avoid the temporary escape of substance use as it can get in the way of your healing journey.
Conclusion
Healing does not mean that you distract yourself by indulging in multiple activities to forget about the pain temporarily. Rather, it means facing what happened, releasing guilt and shame, and giving yourself the time and care needed to heal—emerging а stronger and more grounded individual.
