Sexual violence is a trauma that knows no boundaries.
It does not discriminate based on racial, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds. Sexual violence is a horrific and heartbreaking reality that affects people from all walks of life. Victims vary by social class, spiritual beliefs, physical and mental abilities, sexual orientation, gender, age, literacy, and previous victimizations. Despite these differences, victims of sexual violence share a common experience of trauma. Though the motivation for sexual violence varies, many experts believe that it is rooted in power and control.
Victims of sexual violence often develop negative beliefs about themselves, leading to feelings of shame, worthlessness, and hopelessness.
The neuroscience of trauma suggests that sexual violence can lead to long-term changes in the brain, resulting in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, victims of sexual violence often develop negative beliefs about themselves, leading to feelings of shame, worthlessness, and hopelessness. In order to effectively support survivors of sexual violence, it is crucial to approach them with kindness and compassion. The Salutogenic approach focuses on survivors’ strengths and resilience rather than their trauma. This approach can be helpful in promoting healing and empowerment.
- Learn more about supporting survivors of sexual violence by attending one of our classes: Treating the Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Incest
Written by Robert Rhoton Psy D., LPC, D.A.A.E.T.S.
Dr. Robert Rhoton, CEO of Arizona Trauma Institute and President at the Trauma Institute International possesses a rich history of experience in the mental health field.
