Rape | Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Center

Rape And Sexual Abuse – Talk About It To Enable Victims To Speak Out

Our attitude towards rape and sexual abuse indicates the flaws in the way women are treated in our society. For starters, people think of females as the victim the moment of somebody mentions rape or sexual abuse. There is no doubt that majority of the rape victims are women. However, there is also no denying that majority of the rape cases never get reported. In such a scenario, possibility of a large number of men and boys being raped and the cases going unreported cannot be denied.

Most of us presume that are such instances cannot happen in our family. We visualize rapes as acts perpetrated by strangers on female family member. The truth is that majority of the rapes are done by those individuals who were known to the victim. Secondly, the crime may not be restricted to females only. Even young male individuals are equally susceptible to sexual abuse.

This may not be a very appealing task but it is essential to talk about these things in the family. Each and every family member must be encouraged to be open about such matters. The last thing you want is for your family member to conclude that support may be absent due to the closed attitude towards rape or sexual abuse.

Many persons react with shock and disbelief when they discover that their family member suffered the trauma but did not trust them enough to be open about it. One cannot expect a victim of rape or sexual abuse to be completely logical and sensible about future actions. Rather, the onus is upon the family to hammer the message that it can be relied upon for support no matter what happens.

Such an approach may also lead to discussions about things that otherwise would not take place. Such transparency may help youngsters follow precautions that may reduce risk of mistakes that may lead to instances of sexual abuse.

Filed Under: Rehab, Sex, Sexual Abuse Tagged With: Family, Rape, Sexual abuse

Teach Your Child How To Avoid Date Rape – Some Useful Pointers

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If your child is beginning to date, it is very important to explain what date rape is and how it can be avoided. Do not presume that your child is completely free of this risk because he or she is going out along with friends. All it takes is a single drink mixed with narcotics or drugs to cause your child to become unconscious. If nobody is aware of such a possibility, a date rape can easily result despite many friends being present.

Do not just focus on your child. You should make sure that all the friends of your children are also aware of the possibility of date rape. You must explain what it is and how it is normally perpetrated. You should warn about the consequences of accepting a drink from a stranger. You should explain the importance of having friends who can look out for each other.

It is one thing to have a lot of fun on a night out. However, it is a completely different thing to go around purposefully looking for trouble. You should encourage your child to have lots of fun but should also warn about the harmful consequences of meeting and getting intimate with strangers.

Make sure that you provide this information to your male child as well. Your male child may not be at high risk but knowledge may prove useful in helping others being targeted.

Making use of online resources to provide more information and to clarify doubts a smart move. However, do not make the mistake of using the internet as your replacement. It is not just a question of information and knowledge. It is also a question of establishing close bonds and telling the child that you are there no matter what happens. If the child sees you feeling uncomfortable, it may bypass you when it has doubts or needs support.

Filed Under: Disabilities, Domestic Abuse, Rehab Tagged With: Crime, Date rape, Rape

Seeing the Big Picture Problems

Many victims of rape or sexual abuse are victimized at least twice; once by the person who assaulted them and once by themselves. Oftentimes, this isn’t the limit of the victimization. If legal charges are pressed, the courtroom (and especially police interviews leading up to it) can lack understanding in a fundamental way. It’s incredibly important to understand that, even if you may have made some mistakes—just like everyone inevitably does, what happened is absolutely not your fault.

One of the hurdles to understanding this is that many rape or sexual abuse victims do not want to have hard feelings toward their attacker. Though this may seem strange, it’s important to remember that most rapes are not stranger rapes, but actions from people who the victim knows and likely even trusted. This is part of what makes the crime so incredibly damaging—so damaging, in fact, that noticeable recovery usually takes years of therapy and even prescription medication.

Even without the big picture of what’s going on, it’s important to acknowledge that the person—whatever other strengths they may have—did something absolutely terrible. The next step beyond this can often be toward a form of reconciliation, however, and a part of that is seeing the big picture problems.

The truth is that we live in a culture that creates opportunities and even motivation for sexual violence. The primary form of communication in regards to sexuality is silence, men are raised in a typically sexist environment where violence is seen as normal, and sex is seen as the primary social evaluation for young-adult males, and the consequences of rape (even rape that happens because of sheer ignorance on the man’s part) are not understood. These things create a world that is dangerous to live in. By seeing this, it’s possible to direct feelings of anger and injustice in a healthier direction.

Filed Under: Dating, Disabilities, Domestic Abuse, Drug Treatment Tagged With: Crime, Rape, Sexual abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Support Groups, United States, Victims

An Alcohol Treatment Center Can Help Prevent Sexual Abuse

One of the contributing factors to rape and sexual abuse — and there are many — can sometimes be alcohol. When people drink too much they lose a lot of their inhibitions, and they’re more likely to do things that they wouldn’t otherwise do. Some people become very friendly and happy when they drink, and other become violent, demanding, and angry. Much of that reaction can be caused by other underlying problems, or by the instance of depression, anxiety, or other problems in their day-to-day lives. No matter what might be causing a person to abuse alcohol, though, it’s important to get that person into an alcohol treatment center.

There’s no guarantee that someone with an alcohol problem will rape or sexually abuse another person, but any addiction that strong can cause people to act in odd ways. This can be very difficult for the victim, too, who might have thought that the person with the alcohol problem was very nice when he or she wasn’t drinking. There may have even been a level of trust there that’s now been shattered. It can be very difficult for a person to know how to handle something like that, and it’s important for the victim to seek help, as well.

Some victims of sexual abuse and rape can think it’s their fault, even though it isn’t. They have to be taught that it wasn’t their fault that they were assaulted in that way. They need a chance to talk about it with a professional, so they can really see the truth behind the situation. Once they start to understand more about why the other person raped or assaulted or abused them, they can get more peace of mind in realizing that they were not at fault in any way.

Filed Under: Rehab, Sexual Abuse Tagged With: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual abuse

The Effects of Rape

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The effects of rape are a twisted weave of physical and emotional horror. Many people do not comprehend that physical force is not always present, yet it can still be rape. There are some who intend to rape and then commit murder. The reality is that the victim lives and looks as usual on the exterior. Unfortunately, the majority feel dead on the inside because of the trauma. It is something that remains a detailed memory no matter how hard you try to put it out of your mind. In fact most keep reliving it because the are in such disbelief that it actually happened.

Most people will suggest counseling for many emotional issues. As a victim of rape, it is overwhelming to talk about, especially to a stranger. Once you begin healing physical, you can gather up the strength to work on recovering emotionally. Sometimes the ones who should be your support system are the ones who may not believe you or become impatient with your reactions. If you have little physical wounds, they may down play your experience and even give you a hard time for changing your personality. They may even begin to treat you differently.

You must persevere, however. It could take a few months or many years to heal. It is important to begin your processing as soon as possible. You may be stubborn because you are thinking that there is no way you can erase this horrible image and some days you feel that you can never scrub hard enough to wash all of the slime off of you. How fortunate that we have theInternet to go to at any hour of the day or night. When you are feeling disoriented or having a flash back, you can remain anonymous if you like and find a kind word and a support group immediately.

Filed Under: Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse Tagged With: Crime, Rape, Rape Victims, Sex Offenses, Sexual assault, Support group, United States, Victims

Rape in the United States

According to the United States Department of Justice, every day, every two minutes some one, usually a woman, is raped in the United States. How can this be possible, you may ask. We must get past the astonishment and concentrate on improving the accepted way that most people deal with each other. The mistreatment of others is never okay. Even if no one else is watching or it appears that no one would care, it is not okay to abuse. Our society is in a transition and it is critical that we not bully or ostracize any member on purpose just because some one is having a bad day.

Too many times, a victim of abuse is treated badly by the very people that they felt for sure would be their support system and expected that they would be the first ones to help out. People are now more inclined to lash out quickly so that they will be considered the dominant one. Doesn’t the strength come in standing for what you believe in? In that case, what do people today believe? It is sad to see so many people who feel that they do not have the strength or conviction to take the first initiative and right some thing that is obviously wrong.

In the case of rape, not only is the victim in disbelief that they were treated that way, many of the people who hear about it may not respond in a supportive way. If they support the victim, then, their life, as they know it will end also. Since the rapist is usually a family member or an acquaintance, they now have to pick sides. Many choose the accused rapist because if he denies it, nothing has to be changed and things can go on as their perceived normal.

Filed Under: Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse Tagged With: Crime, Government, Rape, Rape Victims, United States, United States Department of Justice, Victims, Violence and Abuse

A Safe Place to Heal

To help a rape victim deal with and reduce the number of flashbacks, the therapist often uses a technique called prolonged exposure. This is basically the process of confrontation in a controlled environment. The rape victim learns to trust that they are in a safe place and begins the journey of opening up the memory of the trauma in order to heal. This should also decrease any panic attacks the victim may have been experiencing. The victims are trained to cope with their own reactions as they repeat similar situations during therapy.

Developing the necessary coping skills is a key element since the healing process uncovers many layers of the abuse and high lights many unhealthy choices. For example, substance abuse could most likely be another issue needing to be dealt with in order for the victim to heal. If the parties involved have been self medicating with drugs in order to dull the emotional pain and distorting their reality, the treatment for healing will be lengthy.

It is good for the victim to have resources available and understand that rape is not really about the sex, it is the person’s frustration with power and control issues. A good support group can help the victim get back to normal sooner. They can help by including her in activities and give a little extra strength when she appears to feel a bit unraveled. They will be the ones to encourage the victim to seek out help. Rape is aggressive and degrading. A victim should not be made to feel intimidated after the assault by a group of family members that she can not trust and that do not support her.

Filed Under: Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse Tagged With: Crime, Psychological trauma, Rape, Rape Victims, Sexual abuse, Support group, Therapy, Victims

The Control After the Trauma

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

In the time it takes to read an article some is being raped in the United States. Many of the victims feel such shame that they isolate themselves from any reminders of their previous life and activities.They feel angry at the rapist and also at themselves because some how in their faulty reasoning, they feel that they should have been able to stop it from happening. They should have had control of the situation.

One of the aspects about being abused is the feeling of helplessness and not being able to control the out come of the situation. A way to deal with this after the trauma, is to devote your self in projects that you will have the control over. One of the first to be recommended is a mind and physical make over. Put your self into an exercise program and make it a priority to do it each week. As you build your muscle, you can reward your body with healthy and delicious food.

Cross off the foods that are processed and are made with an overload of refined sugar. Pick wholesome, natural foods like fruits and fresh vegetables. Some also use protein shakes to help build their muscles when they work out. As your metabolism improves you should regain interest in some of your old activities and find a few new ones to explore.

The proper exercise and eating a balance of nutritious food will put you whole system back into balance. It won’t take long for you to notice the difference and perhaps you will be more inclined to help some one who is less fortunate that you. The help that you choose to offer is in your control too.

Filed Under: Domestic Abuse, Sexual Abuse Tagged With: Business, Cochrane Collaboration, Health care, Psychological trauma, Rape, Trauma (medicine), United States, United States armed forces

Offering Help and Support to Victims of Sexual Assault

Sexual assaults are on the rise. Recent reports indicate that one in five female college graduates was raped at some point during her education. Date rape, gray rape, and a host of other sexual crimes are in the headlines every day. Knowing how to help a friend or family member who has been sexually assaulted is of immense value to the victim.

Immediately After the Attack

Encourage your friend or family member to seek prompt medical attention. Rape is a traumatic event and victims need to know that you care and that you believe they have been victimized. Accompany them to the hospital and stay with them. Encourage them to report the assault. Evidence gathered during an examination will be preserved should a decision be made to press charges.These assaults are most often perpetrated by someone the victim knows, making the situation all the more frightening, confusing, and demeaning. Encourage your friend or family member to seek care from a qualified counselor in the immediate aftermath of the rape. Trained counselors know how to help victims through the difficult first hours after the assault.

Long-term Support Promotes Healing

Many rape victims blame themselves, sometimes even believing that they invited the attack. Avoid asking questions that would reinforce such an incorrect belief. Let them know you believe them. Listen and then listen some more. Victims may want to relive the event over and over as they try to deal with the trauma. Help victims remember to eat and care for themselves. Be patient. The trauma resulting from such an assault takes a very long time to heal. Counselors often suggest keeping a journal of feelings, fears, and thoughts. A journal and pencils or pens can be a thoughtful gift. Take good care of yourself, too. Helping someone you love through such a harrowing experience is draining. It’s important for you to take good care of yourself so that you can be there when you are needed.

Filed Under: Domestic Abuse, Sex, Sexual Abuse Tagged With: Hospital, Rape, Sexual assault