This episode is an edited version of the most recent Thrivivors Online Community, of The Jan Broberg Foundation, and features a presentation hosted by me. My presentation topic was "The Imposed Shame of Rape/Sexual Assault: what do we do with it?" and the members of the online community participated in a discussion and Q & A session on of the impact of shame on the lives of victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault. It was an honor to be asked to be a guest presenter of the Thrivivors Community, and even more of an honor that Austen Tanner and Jan Broberg gave me their permission to use this presentation on this week's SASS episode! We discussed how shame is often imposed on victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault by society, the media, and even their own families and friends. This imposed shame can lead to a number of negative consequences, including: Self-blame: Victims and survivors may blame themselves for what happened, even though they are not to blame. Isolation: Victims and survivors may withdraw from friends and family, or avoid social situations, out of fear of being judged or rejected. Depression: Victims and survivors may experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Victims and survivors may develop PTSD, which can cause flashbacks, nightmares, and other symptoms. The presentation was concluded by discussing how to cope with the imposed shame of rape and sexual assault. He emphasized the importance of self-compassion, self-talk, exercise, seeking counseling, meditating, and dwelling on gratitude. We also discussed the importance of victims and survivors to speak out about their experiences, in order to break the silence and raise awareness about this important issue. If you or someone you know has been the victim of rape or sexual assault, it is important to seek help. There are many resources available, including The Jan Broberg Foundation's Thrivivors Community, your local rape crisis center, and counseling. I encourage you to do whatever you can to seek help and support if you are struggling with the impacts of rape or sexual assault. Here are some links to help you in your healing journey: Cite for research paper discussed by Dave: Bhuptani, P. H., & Messman, T. L. (2022). Self-compassion and shame among rape survivors. Journal of interpersonal violence, 37(17-18), NP16575-NP16595. https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org/thrivivors/ [email protected] https://markel-consulting.com https://sites.libsyn.com/302675 https://startbybelieving