Introduction:
In the past years, we have seen an increasing number of people talking about sexual assault and victim blaming or shaming. There is a greater awareness of this problem than ever before. However, more people are also coming forward as sexual assault survivors. This is an excellent thing because it highlights the fact that even though sexual assault happens too often, many keep silent about it because of the fear of being blamed or shamed for what has happened to them. This is why it is considered essential for more and more people to feel empowered enough to come forward and share their stories. As a result, others may know they are not alone during this difficult time. Here is some information on the impact of sexual assault on survivors and the people around them.
What Does Sexual Assault Do to the Survivor?
Before we go into the impact of sexual assault on friends and family, it is important to understand the different aspects of its impact on the survivor. Every survivor’s experience is different and will vary depending on several factors, including the aggressor, the aggressor’s relationship with the survivor, the setting, the survivor’s life circumstances, and more. The first major impact of sexual assault on a survivor is a feeling of loss. The survivor may lose their sense of safety or their trust in others. They may also lose their ability to have sexual or emotional intimacy in relationships. They will likely experience some level of shame, guilt, or self-blame. They may also lose a sense of control over their life and feelings of autonomy. These feelings can often lead to sadness and grief from losing parts of oneself.
What Are the Types of Sexual Assault?
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Rape.
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Forcible sodomy.
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Foricbul object penetration.
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Marital rape.
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Unwanted sexual touching.
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Sexual contact with minors, whether consensual or not.
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Incest.
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Any unwanted sexual contact.
Some of the other sex crimes are:
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Possession of child pornography.
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Using the Internet to solicit minors.
What Is the Impact on Friends and Family Members?
The impact of sexual assault on friends and family members is complex. They may also lose some of their trust in the survivor and feel that their relationship with the survivor has been altered somehow. These feelings are normal but can be incredibly challenging for both parties. They can often cause loved ones to shut down, ignore their feelings, or become angry. This is particularly true if the victim feels ready to speak about what has happened to them and their loved ones try to push those feelings down. Natural feelings of sadness, anger, and grief can make it challenging for friends and family members to be supportive of the survivors. Being mindful of emotions and being supportive of the person who has been assaulted with compassion and care is considered more important.
What Is the Physical Impact of Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is often associated with sexual activity. But it is crucial to consider that not all sexual assaults include sexual activity. It is also essential to understand that the impact of sexual assault on the survivor’s physical health can vary greatly. Again, this depends on many factors, including the aggressor, the setting, and the survivor’s life circumstances. Many sexual assaults can include injuries, like cuts, bruises, or broken bones. Bruising is a common injury that is often caused by fingertips, knees, or feet being pressed onto the skin. Injuries like these may heal over time, but some may also require medical attention.
What Is the Psychological Impact of Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault can have a wide-ranging impact on a survivor’s psychological health. This can include feelings of anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, distorted self-image, and feelings of isolation. Some people experience flashbacks or nightmares surrounding the assault, while others may have trouble sleeping or concentrating. Many feel disconnected from their emotions and find it hard to experience positive emotions like love or joy. Sexual assault is often associated with gender identity, but it can happen to anyone regardless of gender identity. It is important to note that the psychological effects of sexual assault are not always short-term and can sometimes last a lifetime.
What Is Called Drug-Induced Sexual Assault?
This is most common at a party, club, or social gathering. Someone slips a drug into the drink. When the drug dissolves, it emits no odor. It can be colorless or leave a bluish-colored residue, and it can also be tasteless. The drug takes effect as you drink it. Drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, lack of coordination, slurred speech, loss of inhibition, impaired judgment, and reduced levels of consciousness may occur. One may become incapacitated and be unable to escape, resist, or even call for help. These drugs frequently cause amnesia, in which they lose the memory of what happened and who assaulted them.
What Does Society’s Reaction Add Up To?
This is just a brief look at the impact of sexual assault on people. When society chooses to ignore the prevalence of sexual assault and the people who experience it, it makes it harder for survivors to come forward. When society chooses to pressure survivors to report an assault but does not make an effort to hold the aggressor accountable, it adds to the survivor’s feelings of isolation. When society tries to shame survivors for how they dress or act or says that the survivors were responsible for the assault, it adds to their feelings of self-blame and shame. It also adds shame and guilt to the survivors when society chooses to put the efforts of preventing sexual assault on survivors rather than aggressors.
Conclusion:
Sexual assault can have a wide-ranging impact on everyone impacted by it. This includes the survivor, loved ones, and society as a whole. Communication, honesty, and respect make any relationship better. Because of all this, it is crucial that we all do our part to reduce sexual assault by educating ourselves about what it is and how to prevent it. Additionally, we must be mindful of the ways we talk about sexual assault and support those who have experienced it.
