Get support from friends and family, from people who know you and can validate your feelings. If you talk to someone and they don’t make you feel good about yourself, don’t be afraid to try someone else. Some people know how to say the right thing and others just don’t. Your family can provide support, assistance, and encouragement. Because they are your family, they may also try to protect you or make decisions for you. The reasons for doing this are varied, but it may feel suffocating, stifling, and controlling. It’s important for them to understand that you need to take control and make decisions for yourself.
Sexual assault is a violation of a person’s body and capacity for self-determination. It can radically affect the survivor, and every sexual assault survivor’s experience is different. The information provided here includes some of the common reactions to sexual assault, but is not meant to be prescriptive in any way. Perhaps you have told a friend or a family member, people who are close to you and can be supportive throughout this ordeal. You may also have met with a counselor, or have thought about going to a counselor but not yet taken that step. You might feel that there is no one you can trust. It is important for you to know that you are not alone, that you will get through this time in your life, and that there are people who can help you through the healing process.