“You’re not a victim for sharing your story. You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth. And you never know who needs your light, your warmth, and raging courage” – Alex Elle
Here are some facts about sexual assault:
– One in six women and one in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime
– One of every seven victims of sexual assault is under the age of six
– Every 98 seconds, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted
– Nearly six out of 10 sexual assaults occur in the victim’s home or the home of a friend, relative, or neighbor
The above statistics only prove that sexual assault is a growing epidemic across the world. It’s terrifying, but not at all surprising, as negative themes relating to sexual violence are continuously harbored in the media, our schools and the powerful people that have sworn to protect us in our government.
The film and television industries are infamous for objectifying women and portraying them as helpless and easily manipulated beings. School administrators enforce ridiculous dress codes on students to ensure male students are not “distracted”.
School officials then simultaneously delay the education of their students by sending them home for the day. Aside from his unnecessary twitter drama, the 45th president of the United States has bragged about grabbing women inappropriately.
Former Olympic Doctor Larry Nasser has been sentenced to 175 years in prison for molesting young female gymnasts. It’s refreshing to see a predator face the consequences for his crimes but it is a common occurrence for people of power to receive slap on the wrist convictions. As a result, victims of sexual assault avoid speaking up about their pasts. Women and men alike are taking a stand against this injustice by refusing to remain silent about their stories.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault, there may be a million negative emotions circulating through your mind. Thankfully, there are ways to overcome it.
1. Acknowledge your feelings
Understand that you are not crazy or irrational for feeling the way you do. It may be a difficult road to recovery but the end goal is strengthening yourself emotionally, physically and spiritually.
2. Meditate
Mediation allows you to focus your mind to achieve a mentally clear state. It may not be a permanent fix but it can offer a state of peace on those emotionally draining days.
3. Don’t blame yourself
Victims of sexual assault often blame themselves for their attacker’s behavior. They question why they didn’t fight back harder or why their body reacted positively to the assault. Regardless, the shortness of a skirt or physical reactions of our bodies are not to blame. The only person at fault is the rapist and only the rapist.
4. Remember you are not alone
This can be hard when you feel completely alone in your experience. There are people out there who can relate. The #metoo movement encouraged men and women to speak out about their stories. Unfortunately, victims are often chastised for coming forward. We must all work to ensure victims feel comfortable talking about their experience. This is the only way healing can occur.
If you or someone you know has been assaulted contact 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visit online.rainn.org.