Sexual Abuse

April 2021 is the 20th official anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the United States. For years before its declaration, advocates have fought to increase awareness of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment in order to prevent and end sexual violence. The history of Sexual Assault Awareness Month has deep roots in

Sexual assault occurs when one person makes sexual contact with another without his or her consent. A vastly underreported crime, sexual assault affects millions of Americans each year. If you or a loved one have experienced sexual assault, you are not alone—and the following statistics can help you better understand this act

Sexual assault is a traumatic experience and can manifest in physical, emotional, and behavioral changes. If you are a survivor of sexual assault, it is important to remember that your emotions are valid and a normal response for the type of trauma you experience. There are certain emotions that many survivors experience

When someone you love confides in you that he or she experienced sexual assault, it can be difficult to know what to say. You may feel overwhelmed, worried, and angry at the person who hurt your friend. You may be confused at how something like this can happen. These feelings are valid,

Psychological trauma occurs after a person experiences an event that is extremely stressful, such as active combat, violent accidents, and incidents of sexual violence. While not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma, psychological damage is unfortunately common among survivors of sexual assault. There are several types of trauma a

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you may have certain rights afforded to you. In 2016, the United States federal government passed the Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act, a landmark piece of legislation that establishes rights for survivors of sexual assault and rape. These rights apply to federal sexual assault

Sexual violence is an all-encompassing term that refers to any sexual activity that occurs without the consent of the victim. It can include acts of physical violence, such as sexual assault or abuse, as well as electronic harassment, inappropriate comments, and stalking. Sexual assault is one of the most common forms of

Sexual assault can impact your mind, body, and psychological well-being. Experiencing an assault can affect you for years after the event, leading to serious complications. Many survivors develop mental health conditions, severe reactions to triggering events, and unhealthy and dangerous coping mechanisms, among other adverse effects, following their assault. #1: Depression Depression

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the country, many state and local governments are requiring residents to wear masks to prevent transmitting the virus. In areas where mandatory mask orders do not exist, retailers, restaurants, and other businesses are requiring patrons to wear a mask when visiting their locations. Although

Creative expression is important, especially for sexual assault survivors. Studies show that art can be an effective tool for healing in mental health treatment programs, where art therapy is an important component in patients’ treatment regimens. For survivors of sexual assault, art creates a safe, healthy outlet to express emotions and process