Healing from sexual abuse involves addressing trauma, building a support network, and empowering oneself.
Sexual abuse can leave behind physical wounds and emotional and psychological scars that can linger for years. People who experienced sexual abuse need to contend with complex emotions such as pain, shame, and guilt as they work to reclaim their lives.
For many people, the healing journey begins with acknowledging the trauma and seeking the proper support. Various avenues exist to help individuals heal and rebuild, including seeking professional therapy and building a robust support network.
This article explores the multifaceted process of healing from sexual abuse, offering practical steps toward recovery.
Healing from sexual abuse is a deeply personal and often complex journey that varies for everyone. Managing the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of the trauma is essential for recovery.
Healing often begins with addressing the physical consequences of the trauma. This may involve medical treatments for injuries, regular health check-ups, and attention to overall physical well-being.
The second factor is the emotional aftermath. This can be a challenge, as people who have experienced sexual abuse may display a wide range of intense emotions. Processing these emotions in a safe and structured environment with a trauma-informed therapist is crucial for emotional healing.
Another critical part of the healing process is rebuilding trust in oneself and others. Those who have experienced sexual abuse often have trust issues, making forming and maintaining healthy relationships difficult. Therapy can help individuals explore these issues and develop healthier interpersonal connections.
Finally, empowerment is critical. It involves individuals taking control of their lives by setting boundaries, asserting needs, and engaging in activities that enhance self-esteem and confidence. Additionally, advocating for and supporting others can provide a sense of purpose and reinforce a feeling of security and fulfillment.
Meribel’s story: Healing from sexual abuse
“I am a survivor of both childhood sexual abuse and sexual abuse as an adult. For me, verbalizing feelings is very important, although sometimes it’s not possible.
That’s why art therapy is an incredibly potent instrument in healing from sexual abuse. It was especially potent to me in a group setting that was safe and understanding with like-minded survivors. The therapy I did was from The Art Therapy Project in NYC. It was an incredible experience to come together with fellow survivors of sexual abuse, finding ways to healthfully relive those years that were stolen from me by childhood sexual abuse in adulthood, but in a way that was geared toward health.
One organization that helped me with this aspect of healing, among other aspects, was the Crime Victims Treatment Center (CVTC) in New York City. CVTC helped me recover by allowing me to engage in activities that I wanted to engage in as a child but wasn’t allowed to or was restricted from fully expressing myself in those activities.”
Healing from the aftermath of sexual abuse involves addressing the immediate physical wounds and then the long-term effects of the trauma.
Emotionally, survivors face an intense and often overwhelming array of feelings, including pain, fear, anger, shame, and guilt. These emotions can be persistent and debilitating, affecting daily life and overall well-being.
Professional support from therapists, counselors, and medical professionals is crucial to provide the necessary tools and strategies to help the person cope with this challenging period.
Therapists can help survivors
Dealing with the psychological effects involves understanding and addressing the deeper mental and emotional scars of the abuse. This
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including
- avoidance behavior
- nightmares
- increased startle
- hypervigilance
- anxiety
- depression
Therapeutic interventions, ongoing support, and a holistic approach to mental health can contribute significantly to the healing process.
Meribel’s story: Healing from sexual abuse
“What helped me during the healing process from sexual abuse during my teenage and young adult years was taking the time to process and identify what actually happened and that it did happen. The mind can play many different tricks to not feel pain. For many years, I did not want to accept what happened to me, and I shut off any thought processes that would arise around identifying the abuse for what it actually is.
One lesson I learned from this is that whether you accept it or not, it happened, and your mind knows that it happened, even if it’s not at the forefront of your mind. Forgetting it will not heal you. However, processing it in a safe environment with safe individuals will help you heal.
One other thing that came out of processing and healing from sexual abuse during my teenage years was a resurgence in self-esteem that I had as a child. By very definition, sexual abuse is the taking away of power and agency over one’s own body. This interferes with the healthy development of self-esteem, especially when it is done during such formative years as a teenagehood.
When you come to understand that those who abused you did things that are inhumane, which means that they lack humanity, it becomes a lot easier to understand that it isn’t you who did anything to warrant this kind of abuse.”
Talking about the experience of abuse can be difficult but is integral to healing. Finding trusted individuals to confide in, such as friends, family members, or support groups, can provide immense emotional relief and validation. Open communication helps break the isolation and shame often associated with abuse, making it easier for people to feel understood and supported.
When ready, talking about the trauma allows people who have experienced abuse to process their experiences. Sharing their story can also help individuals reclaim their narrative and reduce the power of the trauma over their lives.
People should try to find a supportive audience that listens without judgment and respects the individual’s pace and boundaries.
Feelings of shame and guilt are common and overwhelming among those who have experienced sexual abuse. These emotions can persist long after the abuse has ended, affecting self-esteem and mental health.
Understanding that these feelings are normal reactions to trauma rather than reflections of personal worth is a crucial step in the healing process.
Therapy can play a significant role in helping individuals process these emotions. A trauma-informed therapist can guide people who experienced sexual abuse in exploring the origins of their shame and guilt and help them develop healthier ways of thinking about themselves and their experiences.
People who have experienced sexual abuse may experience flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and hypervigilance. These symptoms can interfere with daily life and make functioning challenging.
Regular therapy sessions, self-care practices, and coping strategies can help. Self-care involves ensuring adequate sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and staying physically active. It also involves engaging in hobbies and activities that bring joy and relaxation and setting aside time for rest and reflection.
Coping strategies could include journaling to process thoughts and emotions, using creative outlets such as art or music, or seeking support from trusted friends or family. Connecting with others who understand and provide empathy can make a significant difference.
Meribel’s tips for healing
- Sometimes, creating a list of “Actionable Items” you want to achieve during your healing journey is important.
- Creating a safe and stable living environment is paramount in the healing journey from sexual abuse.
- Organizing a safe and stable living space is very helpful in raising one’s self-esteem and creating order. Order in the physical environment also creates order in the mental space.
- Taking care of the physical body is very important. One of the first steps is managing one’s day-to-day hygiene and self-care regarding nutrition and exercise.
- Healing is a journey and a process, and the biggest thing I learned is to just start, even if it is to start small—to put one foot before the other.
- Being a part of a healthy and living community has helped me propel and progress in my healing journey.
- Make sure you maintain your individuality and assert yourself in your own life as your own best guide.
- Having a safe, creative outlet is extremely important.
- One of the biggest things that helped me heal is that I used multiple types of therapy at any given time. Therapeutic synergy worked wonders for my healing.
- It is important and actually vital for healing and sometimes even surviving the healing to understand that and to accept that the shame of the violence is not with you, the survivor, but with the perpetrator, no matter what you wore, no matter what you did, no matter where you are or who you were with or without.
- It’s important to also take care of any physical damage. Something that worked for me was seeing a pelvic floor specialist.
- Never give up. Your life is precious. You came here for a reason.
Creating a support network is essential for healing. This network can include friends, family, therapists, and support groups. A reliable and understanding support system can provide emotional comfort, practical assistance, and a sense of community.
People should choose supportive individuals who respect boundaries and offer nonjudgmental support.
Empowerment is a critical aspect of the healing process. This involves individuals reclaiming control and autonomy over their lives.
Setting personal goals, engaging in activities that foster self-esteem, and practicing self-care are all ways to feel empowered. Empowerment also includes learning to assert needs and boundaries confidently.
Supporting others who have experienced sexual abuse can be a powerful way to foster healing. Offering a listening ear, validating their feelings, and encouraging them to seek professional help are essential ways to be there for others.
Anyone offering support should do so without judgment and respect the other person’s healing process.
Various therapies
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps people identify and change negative thought patterns. It focuses on developing coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is effective in helping individuals process trauma memories. It uses guided eye movements to reduce the emotional impact of traumatic memories.
- Somatic experiencing: This technique focuses on relieving the physical tension associated with trauma. Somatic experiencing helps individuals reconnect with their body’s sensations to release trauma.
- Art therapy: Art therapy provides a creative outlet for expressing and processing emotions. It can also help uncover and address subconscious issues related to trauma.
Finding the right therapy and therapist is crucial, so people should try to explore different therapeutic options to find the best fit for their needs.
Numerous resources are available for people who have experienced sexual abuse. These include national and local hotlines, online communities, and support groups.
Organizations such as RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) offer confidential support and information. The Hotline (1-800-656-4673) can put people in contact with their local rape crisis center.
Healing from sexual abuse is a multifaceted process that involves addressing the emotional, physical, and psychological effects of the trauma.
Seeking professional help, building a supportive network, and engaging in therapeutic practices are essential. Understanding and processing emotions such as shame and guilt, dealing with trauma symptoms, and empowering oneself are crucial components of recovery.
Support and resources are available to guide survivors through their healing journey, ensuring they are not alone on their path to recovery.