What is Sexual Trauma?
You are Not Alone Therapy for Sexual Assault and Abuse. Though sexual abuse is a traumatic and life-altering experience, recovery is possible. A compassionate therapist who understands trauma, especially sexual trauma, and its effects will often be able to help those who have experienced rape and other forms of sexual abuse.
What is Sexual Trauma?
Sexual trauma can be many things. It can be one event or a series of events that may escalate over time. It can be sexual harassment, rape, inappropriate touching, being pressured to perform or engage in sexual activity or threat of harm if you do not do a sexual act. Many people think that sexual trauma has to be violent to be traumatic, but in fact, a majority of sexual assaults that occur do not have significant violent behavior, but instead are done with a threat of harm or embarrassment for the individual involved. Sexual trauma is "traumatic" when the person involved feels a sense of fear, helplessness, injury or threat of injury. The level of perceived threat and traumatic reaction to that threat is very individual and almost impossible to anticipate. One person may react far differently than another despite very similar situations.
Sexual abuse is a particularly sinister type of trauma because of the shame it instills in the victim. With childhood sexual abuse, victims are often too young to know how to express what is happening and seek out help. When not properly treated, this can result in a lifetime of PTSD, depression and anxiety. The trauma that results from sexual abuse is a syndrome that affects not just the victim and their family, but all of our society. Because sexual abuse, molestation and rape are such shame-filled concepts, our culture tends to suppress information about them.
Long-term therapy can be especially beneficial in managing symptoms that may occur after the trauma. Treatment for sexual abuse is layered and is unique to each victim. Left without treatment, the trauma of sexual abuse can take a lifelong toll. Treatment, however, can combat the negative effects of the trauma. Together with Melissa Jane you will work out a safe long-term plan for you. We will work after your needs and pace. Everything will be undisclosed and not revealed.
Sexologist Consultant and Advisor Melissa Jane