How to Find Healing From Sexual Trauma
No one deserves to be a victim of sexual trauma. Sadly, it is not an isolated issue. Sexual assault occurs roughly every 68 seconds.
One in three women has reported an experience with physical and/or sexual violence. Most come from an intimate partner, but non-partners are also grouped into this stat. Roughly 20% of female students on college campuses have reported an occurrence of non-consensual sex. A similar percentage of women have also reported sexual trauma as a child.
Those who are more susceptible to sexual violence include women, those between ages 12-34, and transgender or gender nonconforming students. Regardless of who you are or what you experienced, the fact of the matter is there was a violation. Whether you suffered an experience or know someone who did, the important thing to know is there is healing possible.
Give Yourself Grace
Even though the situation wasn’t your fault, it is easy to place blame on yourself for what you went through. For starters, go easy on yourself. Your journey may not be straightforward or easy. There will probably be ups and downs. Things might take time to process through. Take the necessary time to heal, and don’t be afraid to feel your feelings.
Tell Your Tale
It can be incredibly hard to talk about what your experience was. Many people avoid discussing their situation due to fear of judgment, social stigmas, fear of retaliation, or even fear of not being believed once they do share. Despite the challenge that exists, it is a great step in the process toward healing. Minimizing your experience or keeping it a secret gives it this hidden power over you that can pop up at any time.
The only way out is through. Give yourself a voice in a situation that started out with the loss of control. Set yourself free from the situation. It doesn’t have to define you. If you’re not comfortable sharing your story with the masses, start small with a trusted person in your life or speak with a therapist.
Practice Mindfulness
One of the top long-term effects of sexual trauma is anxiety and depression. There is fear of the future surrounding this type of trauma and negative emotions from the past. Studies have shown that mindfulness effectively manages anxiety and can be truly helpful for these experiences. Using mindfulness tactics can help bring your focus back into the present and stay in the present—a way to bring more joy into the day-to-day.
Find Empowerment
Sexual trauma comes with a loss of control in a situation. Just like giving yourself a voice by sharing your story, you can find some new control over your life by doing activities that empower you. What this looks like for you may vary from the next person. It could be a new workout or group activity. Maybe you could create a group within the community or complete volunteer work. Or maybe it is giving yourself a new look…new hair, new clothes, fresh look! Go with what gives you motivation and life.
Explore Trauma-Informed Work
With this being a more common occurrence, there is a greater need for trauma-informed work. Trauma lives in the body and can cause other significant issues. There are yoga practitioners who specialize in trauma-informed practice and promote healing in a safe space. Yoga has many different roles, and many people have found healing through the practice.
This is not an easy process, but it doesn’t have to be a solo journey. No matter where you are in your journey, it is never a bad thing to ask for help along the way. Contact us for additional resources today.
