{"id":3251,"date":"2019-04-22T09:23:39","date_gmt":"2019-04-22T15:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/blog\/?p=3251"},"modified":"2019-04-22T11:13:00","modified_gmt":"2019-04-22T17:13:00","slug":"sexual-abuse-survivors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/blog\/sexual-abuse-survivors","title":{"rendered":"Sexual Abuse Survivors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do Victims of Sexual Abuse Survive?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost every day we hear about a new case of celebrity sexual abuse. Is this because of things like the #MeToo movement&#8230; people feel more comfortable talking about these issues, or is there an overall increase in individual cases? The experts are divided. <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"In a story (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/knpr.org\/knpr\/2018-09\/reports-sexual-assault-are-rise\" target=\"_blank\">In a story<\/a> by Kristy Totten of Nevada Public Radio it was reported that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Daniele Dreitzer, the executive director of the Rape Crisis\nCenter, told KNPR&#8217;s State of Nevada said, \u201cWe\u2019re not seeing evidence that this\nis a result of more assaults happening. We really do believe that it is more\npeople feeling comfortable speaking out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dreitzer said more people are coming forward with their own\nexperience or are calling to ask how to help family and friends. She attributes\nthe rise in calls to people breaking their silence through the Me Too movement\nand the change in the national conversation about sexual violence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMore people are recognizing I think that in some cases may be\nan experience they had that they didn\u2019t necessarily identify as being sexual\nviolence maybe was,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some common myths about sexual abuse: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>MYTH: Sexual\nabuse only occurs to women. In\nfact, both men and women can be perpetrators and victims of sexual abuse.<\/li><li>MYTH: Sexual\nabuse always occurs between strangers. In\nfact, most victims of sexual abuse actually know or are related to their\nperpetrator.<\/li><li>MYTH: Sexual\nabuse is always violent. In\nfact, many acts of sexual abuse are not violent, but all people have the right\nto decide what they want to do and what they do not want to do sexually.<\/li><li>MYTH: Sexual\nabuse occurs most often in same-sex relationships. In fact, sexual abuse occurs in both\nsame-sex and opposite-sex relationships.<\/li><li>MYTH: Sexual\nAbuse always involves physical contact. In\nfact, sexual abuse may not involve any physical contact at all and can include\nsuch behaviors as repeatedly using sexual insults to other people, spying on\nsomeone, spreading explicit sexts, ogling or leering, suggestive comments, etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Just as myths abound about\nsexual abuse, many people who have been sexually abused develop several\ncritical misconceptions about themselves and their value as human beings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><em>\u201cI\u2019m damaged\ngoods now.\u201d <\/em>Many\nsurvivors feel that the abuse has made them sexually inadequate or inferior to\nother people. They often feel as if they can never get their adequacy back.<\/li><li><em>\u201cI\u2019m a\nsexual object.\u201d <\/em>Many\nsurvivors have lost their sexual identity due to the abuse and believe<\/li><li>that they must either please others,\nor see themselves as easily controlled by others.<\/li><li><em>\u201cBad things\nhappen to bad people. I must be bad.\u201d <\/em>Many\nsurvivors believe this about themselves and think they deserved this abuse.\nThis is not true. Bad things sometimes happen to good people.<\/li><li><em>\u201cI am dirty.\u201d <\/em>Many survivors cannot push the feeling of being dirty out\nof their mind and\/or body.<em><\/em><\/li><li><em>\u201cI\u2019m a bad person.\u201d \u201cI deserved it.\u201d \u201cNo one will\never want or love me.\u201d \u201cI should have known.\u201d<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Many survivors experience feelings of guilt and shame.\nConsequently, they feel like they are worthless and unlovable. Although all of\nthese conclusions are not true, they can cause tremendous mental, emotional,\nand physical damage. They represent a negative self-concept and can be\nextremely demeaning to the survivor. <a name=\"metoo\"><\/a>If these notions continue, survivors need\nto see a mental health and\/or medical professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Common Reactions of Adults Who have Been\nAbused<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As sexual abuse becomes a bigger problem for people on\nall levels of society, it is important to make note of the specific symptoms\npeople may be experiencing or exhibiting. Because many of the symptoms tend to\nstay with survivors throughout their lives, it is important to acknowledge\nthese symptoms as survivors work to recover and heal. People who have been\nabused may exhibit many of the following symptoms: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"wp-block-table\"><tbody><tr><td>Addictions<br \/><\/td><td>Guilt<\/td><td>Self-mutilation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Anger<\/td><td>Hatred of body<\/td><td>Sexual addiction<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Boundary issues<\/td><td>Helplessness<\/td><td>Shame<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Confusion<\/td><td>Inability to control feelings<\/td><td>Suicidal thoughts<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Depression<\/td><td>Isolation from People<\/td><td>Trust issues<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Detachment while having sex<\/td><td>Lack of interrest in sex<\/td><td>Unable to enjoy sex<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Disturbing sexual thoughts<\/td><td>Low self-esteem<\/td><td>Unrealistic expectations of self<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Eating disorder<\/td><td>Negative view of sex<\/td><td>Unusual response when being touched<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Embarrassment<\/td><td>Panic attacks<\/td><td>Victim thinking<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Empty feeling<\/td><td>Poor self-acceptance<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fear<\/td><td>Problems with rage and anger<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fear of a physical exam<\/td><td>Relationship issues<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Feeling worthless or &#8220;dirty&#8221;<\/td><td>Sadness<\/td><td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<p>In order to heal and thrive after being sexually abused, people need support, trust, and understanding as they begin their healing journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Special Safety Considerations When Working with Survivors of Sexual Abuse<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your professional skills and familiarity with your participants is crucial. Emphasize that participants are survivors. Skills that helped in the past may help now, in addition to new strategies. They are already working toward recovery by attending this session. Reassure participants about <em>their\n<\/em>safety, <em>their <\/em>control, and <em>their <\/em>empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Emphasize the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>They decide what to disclose, when,\nand how, (through writing, drawing, etc.).<\/li><li>Their privacy is respected: sharing is\nvoluntary, and what is said in session stays in session.<\/li><li>No one must stay in the room or be\nforced to participate.<\/li><li>They may stop, take a break, or\nrequest a different activity, etc., if they feel overwhelmed.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/store\/media\/products\/Coping-with-Sexual-Abuse-Medium.gif\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Discuss and legitimize concerns. Telling too much too soon can be overwhelming. A slower pace may be safer. People may have told them \u201cIt\u2019s no big deal.\u201d It is a big deal. Explain that emotional reactions are unique to each person, and reactions may range from numbness to panic. Discuss that cultural factors affect responses to abuse and to attitudes toward seeking help. Alternate between coping skills activities and trauma-related work. Plan to end each session with deep breathing, guided imagery, or another relaxation technique. Allow people to select their seats (some may want to be near an exit, etc.). Opt for the maximum distance between seats for privacy and personal space preferences. Prepare participants for exposure to others\u2019 emotions, disclosures and sexual content. Tell people to share if they feel uncomfortable or need a time-out from an intense situation. Ask whether the majority of participants prefer brighter or dimmer lighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Safety Plans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Encourage group participants to request private sessions as needed. Emphasize the importance of telling the facilitator if anyone has thoughts of violence or self-harm. Create a climate of collaboration. Demonstrate that facilitators are partners in the recovery process, not authority figures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Encourage peers to support each\nother by engaging in these ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Sharing thoughts and feelings within\ntheir comfort zone.<\/li><li>Modeling coping skills.<\/li><li>Asking for help.<\/li><li>Demonstrating self-care and\nassertiveness.<\/li><li>Setting boundaries, e.g., what one\nwill and won\u2019t disclose to the group.<\/li><li>Reinforce resiliency by assisting participants to\nachieve these goals:<\/li><li>Develop a support system of people,\nplaces, and resources that promote recovery.<\/li><li>Help others.<\/li><li>Focus on strengths.<\/li><li>Recall positive experiences.<\/li><li>Gain perspective through spirituality,\nreligion, higher power, peace in nature, etc.<\/li><li>Nurture\nhope for a healthy future.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"These worksheets (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/pdf\/Sexual-Abuse-Worksheets.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">These worksheets<\/a> will help your clients begin to verbalize and explore their experiences. <a href=\"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/pdf\/Sexual-Abuse-Worksheets.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Click here for printable versions (opens in a new tab)\">Click here for printable versions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The information above was excerpted from <em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Coping with Sexual Abuse (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/wholeperson.com\/store\/coping-with-sexual-abuse.html\" target=\"_blank\">Coping with Sexual Abuse<\/a> <\/em>by Ester R.A. Leutenberg and John J. Liptak, EdD.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do Victims of Sexual Abuse Survive? Almost every day we hear about a new case of celebrity sexual abuse. Is this because of things like the #MeToo movement&#8230; people feel more comfortable talking about these issues, or is there an overall increase in individual cases? The experts are divided. In a story by Kristy Totten [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Sexual Abuse Survivors #sexualabuse #sexualassaultawaremess #survivors #metoo","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.3 - 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