Sexual Assault

Sexual hazing refers to a group, club or team requiring potential initiates to undergo nonconsensual sexual acts as part of a ritual to be inducted as a new member. Sexual hazing is often based on humiliation, shame, pain, or tests of a subject’s physical and psychological limits. Sexual abuse that is disguised as a hazing ritual is still a heinous crime. If…

If you believe you have been sexually assaulted, you need to prioritize your health and safety. Get to a safe place to assess your physical and emotional state. Then, when you are ready, use the resources available to you to hold a perpetrator accountable and seek justice for the crime committed against you. Ensure Your Safety and Seek Medical Attention The first…

Spousal rape is an issue that is surrounded by a lot of misconceptions and misinformation. Many victims do not speak out against spousal rape, as they believe they do not have the same rights since they are in a relationship with the perpetrator. Others feel that they are somehow to blame. If you are a survivor of spousal rape, learn your rights…

Sexual abuse can affect individuals across virtually all demographics. However, certain populations are considered more vulnerable due to their age, disability and other factors. Preventing and effectively addressing sexual abuse is only possible when vulnerable populations are recognized and protected. Children and Minors According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, around 28 percent of youth ages 14 to 17 have…

For the tens of thousands of victims who are sexually abused each year, there is hope for the future. Many adult survivors of child sexual abuse do not show signs of dysfunction or lasting mental health problems due to their traumatic pasts. Every survivor is unique. Addressing and properly coping with sexual abuse early on can lead to a better chance of…

Sadly, sexual assault is a common enough crime that you are likely to know someone who is a survivor. If someone comes to you with a story of sexual assault, abuse or rape, learn how to be the support system the victim needs to aid in the healing process. While every case is unique, there are steps you can take to make…

It is often difficult for people to understand why a rape victim would ever protect his or her rapist. This is an incredibly complex and sensitive subject – as nuanced as the survivors themselves. There is no one-size-fits-all explanation for why rape victims shield their rapists or protect perpetrators. Studies have shown several common reasons behind this occurrence. Fear or Intimidation Rape…

Living through sexual abuse or assault can have significant psychological repercussions for a survivor. One common outcome is post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, which can have both physical and emotional symptoms. PTSD from sexual trauma can last weeks, months or even years. Understanding PTSD can help you get the care that you need as a sexual abuse survivor. What Is Post-Traumatic Stress…

Gaslighting is a form of psychological abuse that can occur in an unhealthy relationship – including one that involves sexual abuse, assault or violence. It is a manipulation tactic used by an abusive partner to make a victim question his or her reality, beliefs or sanity. Gaslighting can trap a victim in an abusive relationship and impact the victim’s mental health. What…

If you are a survivor of any type of abuse, including child sexual abuse or domestic violence, your story is your own. Whether or not you decide to confront your abuser is entirely up to you. This decision should be based on what is best for you physically and emotionally. Know, however, that confronting an abuser in a current abuse situation is…