As we come to a close of sexual assault awareness month I think it is very important to address the stigma that follows this type of assault and how hard it can be to report it. This type of assault has a stigma that accompanies it and that can be very difficult to overcome. I cannot say that I have overcome it. I have not. Through this blog, I have been taking steps to overcome it, but I am still a work in progress.
Why The Stigma?
Survivors of sexual assault face a lot of stigma surrounding their assault. Most of this comes from the vast majority of myths surrounding it. These myths that lead to victim blaming results in a unwillingness for victims to share.
- “Why didn’t I just do ….”
- “They are my significant other so they can’t have … me”
- “I must have lead them on because….”
In addition, in our society, these types of interactions are not something that are considered okay to talk about. These interactions are often considered to be private and inappropriate to talk about. Depending on the morals of those around you, you may feel like you are “dirty”, “bad”, or “immoral” when you experience sexual assault. Even if you don’t think this is true, you may feel that those around you will think that you are (especially if you are single).
How To Overcome It!
It is important to remember that these myths about sexual assault are not true. It does not make you “dirty” nor “bad”. You are not “at fault” nor “could you have prevented this”. This is entirely on the person who assaulted you.
The biggest thing that we can do to remove the stigma is sharing our stories. This is something I discussed in my initial blog post: https://strengthinmystory.com/why-share-your-story-of-abuse-assault/. You can share your story with those you trust, anonymously, in a support group, or by reporting the person who assaulted you. Just remember to take the time you need to process before jumping into sharing with others.
Reminder that there are resources out there to help you on the processing/reporting journey.
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
- The Center for Women and Families: https://www.thecenteronline.org/
Finally, remember to support one another! Listen to others. Avoid engaging in victim blaming. You are all strong, capable, and supported people.
