Therapy Chat

27: Sexual Assault Is Not Someone Else's Problem!


Listen Later

Welcome! Trauma therapy became my passion after I volunteered at a Sexual Assault Crisis Center in Virginia in 2002. I received great counseling experience and went through extensive volunteer training before I became an employee. I learned a lot about trauma, and even though sexual assault is not something we like to talk about, it’s a common problem. Statistics show that one in four women and one in six men will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so let’s discuss this important topic.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  • Two types of sexual assault are Childhood Sexual Abuse (to be covered in a later episode) and Sexual Assault/Rape not involving a child. This is our focus today.
  • If you are assaulted, you have several options to consider:
    • Call a Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline. Visit the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network at www.rainn.org.
    • Most hospitals provide a forensic evidence exam at no cost to you, within 120 hours of the assault.
    • You have a personal choice to make: whether or not to report the assault to the police.
    • The victim should tell someone who will be supportive. Visit www.evawintl.org (End Violence Against Women International.) Check out their “Start by Believing” campaign.
    • The US military and most colleges/universities have separate options for reporting sexual assault.
    • Keep in mind that the civil legal process is another option outside the criminal investigation; a settlement can be obtained without bringing criminal charges.
    • The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Abuse (MCASA) is an outstanding resource for survivors.
    • Find a Sexual Assault Crisis Center Directory at www.centers.rainn.org.
    • There are some common reactions of victims following sexual abuse. Find a comprehensive list at www.musc.edu
    • There are many community events across the country in April to bring awareness to sexual assault. The events include The Clothesline Project, The Monument Quilt, www.vday.org, Take Back the Night, and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. 
    • ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      Therapy ChatBy Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4
      • 4.4

      4.4

      662 ratings


      More shows like Therapy Chat

      View all
      The One You Feed | Personal Growth, Emotional Resilience & Purpose by Eric Zimmer

      The One You Feed | Personal Growth, Emotional Resilience & Purpose

      2,571 Listeners

      Untangle by Untangle

      Untangle

      843 Listeners

      The Terri Cole Show by Terri Cole

      The Terri Cole Show

      1,417 Listeners

      Sounds True: Insights at the Edge by Tami Simon

      Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

      1,863 Listeners

      10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

      10% Happier with Dan Harris

      12,767 Listeners

      Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

      Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

      2,527 Listeners

      Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

      Therapist Uncensored Podcast

      1,382 Listeners

      Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel by Esther Perel Global Media

      Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

      14,947 Listeners

      The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) podcast by Tammy Sollenberger

      The One Inside: An Internal Family Systems (IFS) podcast

      286 Listeners

      Therapy in a Nutshell by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

      Therapy in a Nutshell

      592 Listeners

      Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch by iHeartPodcasts

      Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch

      2,358 Listeners

      Trauma Rewired by Elisabeth Kristof & Jennifer Wallace

      Trauma Rewired

      365 Listeners

      Adult Child by Andrea Ashley

      Adult Child

      1,855 Listeners

      We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

      We Can Do Hard Things

      41,385 Listeners

      Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen by Elise Loehnen

      Pulling The Thread with Elise Loehnen

      1,108 Listeners