Sexual Assault & Trauma AwarenessBY: NELLIE ANN DENNIS

Topic of Interest

Why is Sexual Assault my topic of interest?

How many of you know a person/personally been a victim of Sexual Assault?

Counseling experience with Sexual Assault/Trauma!

Sexual Assault

What to do? It’s hard to know what to do, how to feel, or what your options are

after a sexual assault. Please know that you’re not alone. Below are some things to keep in mind. If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, call 911.

Your safety is important.

What happened was not your fault.

Call a local hotline or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673).

Definitions

Sexual Assault: is any involuntary sexual act in which a person is coerced or physically forced to engage against their will, or any non-consensual sexual touching of a person

Examples: Rape, Forced kissing or Groping

Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is a crime of power and intimidation. It relates highly to sexual assault.

Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment is intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature, or the unwelcome or inappropriate promise of rewards in exchange for sexual favors.

Examples: leering, pressure for dates, pressing or rubbing against a person, obscene phone calls, bra snapping or whistles

Statistics

44 % of victims are under the age of 18; 80% are under the age of 30

Each year there are about 293,000 victims of sexual assault

68% of sexual assaults go unreported

Approximately 2/3 of assaults are committed by someone known to the victim

38% of rapists are a friend or acquaintance

1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime

Resources

1) Mayoclinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/basics/definition/con-20022540

2) Rainn (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): https://www.rainn.org

3) Planned Parenthood: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-central-western-new-york/restoreIf you or someone you know needs help dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault, please call our 24-hour hotline at: 24-Hour HotlinesMonroe County: (585) 546-2777Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming: 1-800-527-1757

4) NYSCASA:  http://nyscasa.org/responding/crisiscenters

5) YWCA: http://www.ywcaniagara.org/

YWCA= Young Women Committed to Action

24 Hour Helpline: that is answered by trained staff providing an immediate response to victims of domestic violence. 716-433-6716

Adult Counseling Program

Lockport City Court Advocacy: To schedule an appointment with the advocate, contact 716-439-6630

Educational Support Group

Safe Dwelling/ Transitional Housing

Community Outreach

YWCA Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHirg6VIft8

Counseling Topics

1) Ensuring Safety Safety Plan

Identifying Triggers

2) Suicidal Ideations PTSD

3) Mindfulness Activities Grounding Techniques

Radical Acceptance

4) Self Care

5) Healthy Relationships

Possible Diagnosis

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Mental health condition that’s triggered by a terrifying event– either experiencing it or witnessing it.

Intrusive Memories:

Avoidance:

Negative Changes: In thinking or mood

Changes in Emotional Reactions: Also called arousal symptoms

Continued Concerns

Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs): A Sexually Transmitted Infection is a bacterial or viral infection passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral contact.

Concerned you have one?

1) If you want to be tested, you may need to ask.

2) You may not show symptoms.

3) You can get help.

Continued Concerns

Self Harm: Deliberate self-harm, also called self-injury, is when people inflict physical harm on themselves, usually in private and without suicidal intentions. Some survivors of sexual assault may use self-harm to cope with difficult or painful feelings.

Examples:

Biting

Burning

Cutting

Pulling out hair

Thinking of harming yourself?

References

After a Sexual Assault | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from https://www.rainn.org/get-information/sexual-assault-recovery/tips-for-after-an-attack

Home - salt lake city. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.ywca.com/site/c.emJ1KgOQJhIaG/b.7965121/k.BCF0/Home.htm

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/basics/definition/con-20022540

RESTORE :: Central and Western New York. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-central-western-new-york/restore

About Rape Crisis Programs | NYSCASA. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://nyscasa.org/responding/crisiscenters

Strong alone. fearless together. (n.d.). Retrieved January 28, 2015, from http://www.ywcaniagara.org/

Statistics | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. (n.d.). Retrieved February 3, 2015, from https://www.rainn.org/statistics

http://nyscasa.org/responding/crisiscenters