How to Heal From Rape and Sexual Assault (Rape Trauma Syndrome)

Whether you or someone you love has been raped, follow these steps to assure trauma recovery.

Steps

1. Realize that it is not your fault.
   
   
2. If this is an emergency, or you've just been raped or sexually assaulted, call 911 (999 for the United Kingdom, 112 for Europe and 000 for Australia) immediately.
3. Talk to someone over the phone or online.
   • Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-hope) You can also find hotlines at RAINN. Sometimes, local hotline operators are more relaxed and have more time to talk. Feel free to request to speak to a person of your gender.
   • Rape Crisis Information Pathfinder messageboard finder is a great place to start if you prefer to speak with someone online.
4. Seek counseling.
   • Free counseling at a local rape crisis center
   • Free student counseling from your university.
   • Ongoing treatment from a trained therapist specializing in Rape Trauma Syndrome. RAINN and the American Psychological Association (see number below) both provide therapist referrals.
5. Consider medical treatment. Many states have a program which pays for rape exams.
   • This may include the 'morning after pill,' a prophylaxis treatment (meaning you are treated for all treatable STI's with antibiotics, rather than tested for them; many STI's have an 'incubation period' and this treatment will treat them before symptoms emerge). You can choose all or part of these treatments.
   • This exam also includes forensic (evidence) collection. Reporting to the police is NOT required. All evidence is stored in the event that at some later point you choose to report the rape. The entire exam is free and confidential. Your medical records will not contain any information about this exam. (The only exception is if you need medical treatment for injuries - the exam does not pay for treatment of injury). Again, you are completely in control of this process, you choose which parts of the exam you want, including the forensic exam.
   • The hospital will generally call a rape advocate to meet with you, explain the process, and offer support through the exam. She will also provide you with information about local support services and healing information. An advocate can also offer information and support to any significant others that may have accompanied you to the hospital. Again, whether or not you have an advocate stay with you during the exam process is your choice.
   
   

Tips

• Whether you decide to press criminal charges against your assailant or not, it's a good idea to get a physical examination with a Rape Kit. Speak with a representative of a local crisis center to assure that this examination is handled with dignity and respect for your recent trauma.
• If you want to press charges, do not shower or clean your fingernails before a forensic exam, even if you want to get the whole experience "off" you as quickly as you can. You would destroy very important evidence. Even if you don't want to press charges it is a good idea to do this, because you could change your mind later.
• The four major symptoms of Rape-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder are:
  • Re-experiencing the trauma (Rape victims may experience uncontrollable intrusive thoughts about the rape)
  • Social withdrawal
  • Avoidance behaviors (a general tendency to avoid any thoughts, feelings, or cues which could bring up the catastrophic and most traumatizing elements of the rape)
  • Irritability, hostility, fear, rage and anger
• Sexual Abuse gets stronger in secrecy. Talk to someone. It will help you. It can be a loved one or a friend you trust. If you are not comfortable with that then call a Professional Therapist.Do not live with the burden. If the person you choose is not helpful than immediately go to someone else.

Warnings

• Many rape victims suffer from Rape Trauma Syndrome, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), and eating disorders (ED), therefore it is highly recommended that you find a long-term counselor who specializes in these areas.
• Be aware of victim blame - "Victim blaming is holding the victim responsible for what has happened to her/him. One way in which victim blaming is perpetuated is through rape myths. Rape myths allow us to blame the victim and are often common false beliefs."
• Sexual offenders use certain lines to keep their victims from talking and to avoid prison time. Some of these lines might be "Your parents will be ashamed of you now." or "No one will want to marry you now." They might tell you that no one will believe you or that people will call you a liar. They might tell you 'You were asking for rape anyway because you did ..."fill in the blank." Know that anything that they did to you or that they tell you is wrong. You are a victim. You have the right to tell your story to anyone you want if you choose. By telling on them, you can protect other younger people from harm.
• Many rapists or sexual molesters tell their victims they will kill them or their family if they tell. This is to get the victim to shut up. After they hurt you, they will keep doing it until they are caught and sent away to jail.

Things You'll Need

• Phone Numbers
  • National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • American Psychological Association 1-800-964-2000