 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Please note that I am not a therapist or professional expert on abuse. Rather, I am a victim/survivor of abuse, and offer the following information through what I have learned and information I have gathered. |
|
|
| What exactly is sexual abuse ? |
|
|
 |
|
| The following are definitive for sexual abuse : - objectification through sexual comments/slanders/jokes - uncomfortable touching - unwanted touching - demands for sexual favors - threatening for sexual favors - force through means of physical action or threat from any sort of weapon for sexual favors/sex - punishment of someone for them denying sex/sexual favors - degrading someone during sex - using manipulation of any kind to recieve sex - forcing sex - forcing sex during sex |
|
|
|
|
| But it may have been my fault.... |
|
|
|
|
|
It is absolutely not your fault. No one ever chooses to be sexually abused or raped.
Many who have suffered this kind of abuse feel that it is often their fault, or that they asked for it or provoked the abuser to abuse them. This common blame that victims put on themselves is very false, and the trauma of the abusive event may often lead to seeking an answer to why it happened, and this blaming is the first "answer" many come to conclude. But in truth, noone ever wants to be harmed or abused ( sexually or otherwise ), and that pain is present due to someone abusing you against your will. |
|
|
|
|
|
Where can I seek help for healing from sexual abuse ? |
|
|
|
|
|
There are many means of help for victims of sexual abuse. Tori Amos' network RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) is completely confidential, absolutely free, and highly reputable. Her network has helped hundreds of thousands of victims since its formation in 1994. The 24/7 hotline help number is : 1-800-656-HOPE . The website is www.rainn.org .
Options for healing range widely in effectiveness for each person and include therapy/group therapy, keeping a journal, talking to loved ones, artistic self-therapy through painting/drawing/writing/music etc., communicating in survivor message boards on the internet, and more.
Perfectly Still is a Tori Amos reflective message board forum that is based solely on survivors of abuse, and is a great place to talk about/read about/ask questions about abuse. Perhaps the best amount of healing is sharing your pain with others who come closest to understanding. Visit Perfectly Still here. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Share your story |
|
Read other survivor stories |
|
|
|
wanna go back to the RAINN page |
|
|
|
wanna go home |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
translate the text on this page to another language using the box below |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|