Dealing With Sexual Abuse:

A tricky topic, but one I think should be spoken of more. It happens to men and women, sometimes even children all over the world. I am fortunate that I have never had to go through any kind of sexual abuse, but I know of people who have and for that I reason, I write this today.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Emily's Note For Readers:

If you have been sexually abused before and are finding it difficult to deal with - please contact a helpline straight away. If you don't know where to turn, there are plenty of sources online which can direct you to the correct sites or contacts you may need. Don't suffer in silence.

★ Sexual Abuse Self-Help Guide

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are, or know of someone who has been sexually assaulted within the last 24 hours, the best avenue to take is to get medically tested at a clinic. Although far from pleasant, from a quick swab it is possible to get the DNA profile of the culprit and stop them from harming anyone else, as well as getting justice for those involved.

Coping With Sexual Abuse

It's known that being sexually abused at any age can lead to trust issues in later life, which can lead to other more serious conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. Some of those affected are sadly very young and for this I found a website dedicated to childhood sexual abuse victims telling their story called 'The Truth Project.' With downloadable resources and the option to remain anonymous if you choose, this is a great way of letting your story be heard to not only support others, but receive that support yourself without the fear of being revealed. It also educates children on sexual abuse and how to spot the signs, possibly preventing them from suffering in the future by getting the help they need sooner. It caters for a wide range of scenarios, such as abuse in the workplace, other public places or at home. Those who participate are offered a "dedicated support worker" to guide them through the process too. If you feel like this isn't for you, you are able to opt out of the service at any point.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Extended Section!

I think someone I know has suffered sexual abuse...

It's a difficult topic to bring up, and how do you tackle it? The most common signs a person has suffered sexual abuse include numbing strategies. What I mean by this is that the victim prefers to keep their emotions under wraps than to reveal how they are feeling, this can be through avoiding sensitive topics, becoming emotional only when they are alone, or those who already suffer with a long-term mental health condition such as depression, anxiety or a continuous feeling of sadness or fear.

The good news is, you don't have to let them suffer alone. If you suspect they have been abused, offer your support. It's best not to mention your concerns to the person involved as it can be a very private matter and in some cases may be completely wrong! If you feel it is right to do so, you can reach out yourself to a helpline or member of authority with these concerns and ask for advice on how to tackle it. Ultimately, if they are a victim and are ready to tell you their story, they will, just give it time.