Recovering from a sexual violence act is a process, and that process looks different for everyone. It may take weeks, months, or years - there’s no timetable for healing. Below you’ll find some resources to help you navigate the process.
If you decide to seek support from a therapist after being a victim of sexual violence, you may have some questions. That’s perfectly normal. Working with a therapist can help you deal with some of the challenges you may be facing.
For many people who have been victims of sexual crimes, current and long-term safety can be an ongoing concern. Safety planning is about brainstorming ways to stay safe that may also help reduce the risk of future harm.
It is hard to talk about an unpleasant experience, whether it happened recently or in the past, and sometimes it may feel most daunting to bring it up with people you are closest to, such as family, friends, or colleagues. Whether you choose to tell others right away or years later, or prefer not to disclose is completely up to you.
Self-care is about taking steps to feel healthy and comfortable. Whether it happened recently or years ago, self-care can help you cope with the short- and long-term effects of a trauma like sexual assault.
The media can be a great tool for increasing public awareness about sexual violence, but it can also pose challenges for some survivors. Portrayals of sexual violence in movies, television shows, the news, and social media can prompt negative reactions, from flashbacks and anxiety to feelings of sadness or irritability.
Airport security can be stressful for any traveler, but for some survivors of sexual assault the screening process is a little more sensitive. The following tips can help you navigate airport security to ensure a comfortable start to your trip.
It’s not always easy to know what to say when someone tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted, especially if they are a friend or family member. For a victim, disclosing to someone they care about can be very difficult, so we encourage you to be as supportive and non-judgemental as possible.
It’s not always easy to know what to say when someone tells you they’ve been sexually assaulted, especially when that person is a family member, friend, or loved one.
It’s important to know that there is no normal or one way to react when you find out someone you care about has survived an act of sexual violence. Regardless of what you’re feeling, these emotions can be intense and difficult to deal with.
If you find out or suspect that your child has been sexually abused by a family member, it can take a toll on you as a parent. It’s important to find a way to manage your feelings, so you can focus on creating a safe environment for your child that is free from harm, judgment, and blame.
If you want to talk about sexual violence with a professional ready to help, we are here.
We give voice and power to victims of sexual violence. We see the effects of our interventions in communities facing sexual predators. We approach all cases of sexual violence that come to us with empathy, depth and professionalism.
If you have an urgent question, we encourage you to use our available resources promptly, you can contact us via phone, chat or email.
Help us provide legal aid, psychotherapy and forensic psychological expertise to as many children, witnesses or victims of sex crimes as possible. With your donation, we can provide them with essential support on their road to recovery. Donate right now to our cause.
This platform was developed within the project "Friendly justice for child victims of sexual abuse" with the support of UNICEF Romania.The opinions expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of UNICEF Romania.
If you have an urgent question, we encourage you to use our available resources promptly, you can contact us via phone, chat or email.
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