Sexual abuse can have a powerful impact on a victim in a range of ways and over a period of time. The scope of its impact can range from person to person, but it has the potential to inflict lasting, even lifelong damage on a victim's sense of self and ability to have positive relationships with others.
As Wendy Maltz discusses in The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse, the trauma of sexual abuse can create a low sense of self worth, and feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness. Additionally, it can negatively affect how a survivor is able to function in intimate relationships. Many survivors suffer from a fear of intimacy, withdrawal from sex, or lack of enjoyment of sex. As well, some survivors may engage in compulsive or harmful sexual behaviours. Fortunately, there is a great deal that survivors can do to lessen or eliminate the damaging after-effects of their trauma.
Seeking Professional Counseling
First, it is advisable for survivors to seek professional counseling. Although this is not strictly necessary for every individual, depending on their unique situation, professional counseling is a great venue for support, guidance, and encouragement, and can be a great asset. With the aid of a professional, survivors can discuss their experiences and emotions in a safe and nonjudgmental environment and receive valuable advice for making steps toward healing.
Developing a Healthier and More Positive Self-Conception
Although the support of a professional can be a wonderful tool in a survivor's recovery, it is important to understand that victims need not be dependent. Although sexual assault is a devastating trauma that can leave many feeling helpless and hopeless, there is a great deal that victims can do on their own to reclaim power over their minds and bodies.
As Dr. Miriam Mollering details in her article “The Road to Recovery: Practical Steps to Recovery from Sexual Abuse” on the website Life Tools for Women, recovery can sometimes be a long and painful process, but with hard-work and a belief in oneself, it can ultimately lead to self-acceptance, freedom, and renewed purpose. Perhaps the most important thing that a survivor can do to begin their recovery is to acknowledge and truly understand that the abuse they suffered is not their fault. Sexual abuse is never condonable in any circumstance whatsoever.
Another important step in the healing process is the decision to believe in yourself, Dr. Mollering advises. The trauma of sexual abuse may leave a victim with a low sense of self-worth and therefore this may be hard to internalize initially, but with time, work, and ideally professional support, victims can once again understand themselves as valuable and worthwhile.
Speaking Out Against Sexual Abuse
Speaking out about sexual abuse may help a victim reclaim power. Discussing experiences can help a survivor more fully understand the wrongness of what happened to them; as well, it may help stop the process of internalization and self-blame that many victims experience.
Survivors may benefit from joining a support group for victims of sexual abuse. Sharing experiences with a group of people that empathize and relate can help survivors feel less isolated.
Recognizing and Changing Destructive Thoughts and Behaviours
Sexual trauma can be difficult to relive, and it is not advisable for victims to subject themselves to extreme emotional distress. However, healing from sexual abuse may be painful, and understanding how past negative experiences have lingering effects can be a major step in creating a healthier and more positive self-identity and sexuality, according to Wendy Maltz. Survivors may find a careful assessment of their self-conception and feelings about sex valuable. In particular, recognizing current negative ideas and behaviours and understanding their connections to abuse can help to break these negative impacts.
By understanding the ways in which sexual abuse has negatively impacted their lives, survivors may want to make some changes to their current behavioural patterns. Ending emotionally and physically destructive behaviour allows space to rebuild and relearn sexuality and self-esteem in a more positive light.
Beginning the Healing Process
The process of healing from sexual abuse is different from person to person; it can take a range of forms, over varied times, and ideally should follow the path most conducive to each individual's success. Beginning the process of recovery may seem daunting and perhaps unclear at first, but with perseverance and a belief in oneself, survivors can reclaim power and heal wounds. Once again, it is advised to seek the help of professional counselors in this field.
Sources
Maltz, Wendy. The Sexual Healing Journey A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse. New York: Harper, 2001.
Mollering, Dr. Miriam. “The Road to Recovery Practical Steps to Recovery from Sexual Abuse,” Life Tools for Women.com. http://www.lifetoolsforwomen.com/p/theroadtorecovery.htm
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Rachel Barletta - Rachel Barletta holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in English degree from McMaster University. She also writes online articles for Demand ...
