Sexual Assault as a Form of Trauma
Blog By Hailey Dalton
Learning objectives
- Where you can get help.
- Different types of sexual violence and their definitions
- Sexual Assault on college campuses and the effect of it.
- How to be a survivor and help others.
National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-4673
They are open 24 hours. You can all anytime.
The "Me Too" Movement
(Trigger Warning below)
Types of Sexual Assault₃
It is important to note that any of the following can happen to any gender, race, or any age. including spouses and long term partners.
- Rape: When another person uses your body and places their body parts in it without your consent. You can consent to one sexual act, but not consent to another and that is still rape.
- Sexual Assault: This can be any kind of sexual act that is not consented to. This term can be used hand in hand with rape. the difference is rape is sex and sexual assault is more sexual acts.
- Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment includes any unwanted verbal or physical sexual behavior. This can range from sexual comments about a person’s clothing, anatomy, or looks, to very serious acts that qualify as assault. Sexual harassment is about the impact of the behavior on you, and the severity and frequency of the incidents.
- sexual Coercion: means pressuring, tricking, threatening, or non-physically forcing someone into any sexual activity. This can also be in the form of requesting sexual activity in exchange for a professional or financial benefit. You do not owe anyone sex!
College Campuses
College students are at a higher risk when it comes to any kind of sexual violence aside from their peers who do not attend college. 18 to 24 year old females and males are at the most common age for rape among any other age.₁ An estimated 23% of females
and 5% of males are sexually assaulted during college.
Common factors that make college campuses prone to sexual violence
- Decreased parental monitoring. ₁
- Increased alcohol use.₁
- Increased sexual activity₁
- Exposure to peer norms about sexual violence.₁
- High risk behavior.₁
College students are more likely to get them in situations such as these because they like the sense of freedom and being on their own. They get in the mind-set that nothing could go wrong. This could not be further from the truth. If a sexual situation happens to a college student in their first year of college it can cause psychiatric distress and academic problems.₁ It is important to get correct help for such victims as well as trying to find ways on how to prevent it from happening as often on each college campus.
Ways colleges are trying to raise awareness
- Title X Training
- A day long event called “Summit on the Prevention of Campus Sexual Assault.”₁
- Bring awareness to it and help college students understand the reality of it and if it happens to them.
- Create Prevention Programs for males and females.₁
Negative Conditions After Sexual Assault
Health Conditions ₂
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Unwanted Pregnancy
- Pregnancy complications
- Injuries from the assault
Mental Conditions ₂
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Burnout
Survivors of Sexual violence
Although it is a very sad and scary thing that happens in our world today there are survivor stories that have happy outcomes. The outcomes of individuals getting professional help after their experience, individuals that turn around and help others that face it. I was told this phrase before you become a victim of sexual abuse, then you become a survivor, and then become a thriver with the right help. It is all about what you decide to become after your abuse. It is a lot harder said than done.
Coping skills when triggered ₃
- Take time out. It is okay to remove yourself from the triggering situation.
- Listen and trust your body and mind.
- Breathing exercises.
- Rely on a friend for help.
- Remember your emotions are valid.
- Create healthy boundaries with others.
Remember when you are through your trauma to still have empathy for others that have gone through it and are going through it. Remember that not everyone will have the same experience as you do when you were victimized. Each story is important and each story is valid in the ways they are feeling. Choose love and empathy always over judging others for their story. Each are very real and equally as important. No other human has more worth than another.
Reflection:
- What will you decide to do if someone comes to you for help after sexual assault?
- How will you help others after your sexual assault? Is that something you would want to do?
Resources
- Bonar, E. E., DeGue, S., Abbey, A., Coker, A. L., Lindquist, C. H., McCauley, H. L., Miller, E., Senn, C. Y., Thompson, M. P., Ngo, Q. M., Cunningham, R. M., & Walton, M. A. (2022). Prevention of sexual violence among college students: Current challenges and future directions. Journal of American College
- Hutschemaekers, G. J. M., Zijlstra, E., Bree, C., Lo Fo Wong, S., & Lagro, J. A. (2019). Similar yet unique: the victim’s journey after acute sexual assault and the importance of continuity of care. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences
- Shortway, K. M., DeStefano, M., Aggarwal, A., Hammond, J., & Mistry, N. (2020). Doctoral Interns’ Perceptions of Preparedness to Work with Victims and Survivors of Sexual Assault at University Counseling Centers. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy
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