We're sorry, but Hashtag MeToo doesn't work properly without JavaScript enabled.
Please enable it to access the forum and quiz features.
Introduction
Hashtag MeToo: an anonymous forum to help each other #metoo to overcome the abuse. Anyone impacted by rape, revenge porn and sex trafficking are welcome to join the conversation. Women are not the only ones affected and unfortunately many children suffer too.
Disclaimer: Terms and definitions may vary from country to country. If necessary, check the legal definitions and laws in your country or state.
Unfortunately, abuse is on the rise worldwide. Therefore, this conversation has become necessary so we can educate our families and help our survivors.
Throughout these lessons we refer to a survivor as someone who has lived through any form of sexual assault. It is a crime that has been done to them and they shouldn’t be ashamed. But in reality, we feel it is the most shameful thing in the world, and that is only natural.
Sexual abuse, sexual assault and sexual violence (or whatever you want to name it) is never acceptable. No one deserves to be treated with such humiliation… ever. Whether someone is dressed modestly at work or naked on a hippy ranch, no one has any right to tough them except as they permit (see consent section). Although one must admit, it would be difficult for a little chubby lolly lover, not to eat from the bowl of sweets next to him if no one else was watching (see prevention section).
There are many ways sexual assault occurs:
- It could be with the survivor’s permission such as a minor who doesn’t realize what is happening, or against their will such as rape.
- It could be by force or by coercion where the survivor is threatened.
- It could be overt and obvious like reaching out to grope, or it could be covert and hidden such as someone pretending not to realize where their hand is.
- It could be without the survivor being aware, such as the case with prickings and spiked drinks.
- It could even be sharing a revealing image or video referred to as revenge porn.
- And it could even be someone showing their private parts to you.
But ALL of it is criminal and punishable by law.
Even if the survivor didn’t say no or don’t try to stop them, it still sexual assault. In the case where the survivor freezes, they are unable to respond as they want to (See response section). Furthermore, in the case of Major Sexual Assault it is a natural reaction for the body to orgasm in response to prolonged physical stimulation. Survivors should never blame themselves or their bodies for how they react; it was a crime against their will.
But who would do such a thing?
- The perpetrator (attacker) might be someone you know like a relative or it could be someone unknown from the internet or a stranger on the street.
- It could be a teacher, religious leader, doctor, nurse, your boss at work or even your partner.
- The perpetrator might be young or old.
- And the perpetrator could be any gender attacking a survivor of any gender.
Anyone could potentially be a perpetrator (attacker).
Throughout the following lessons we will cover some more examples and what survivors might do to try and stop the assault or prevent it from happening. However, sometimes it isn’t possible, in which case we move onto the healing process.
Consent
Consent is the agreement between two or more people to do something. Any sexual act without consent is sexual assault. Common sexual acts include kissing, fondling (touching), oral sex and intercourse. Other less obvious sexual acts include showing or looking at one’s private parts. Due to the rise in sexual abuse around the world, many governments have analysed consent and stipulated conditions which must be observed.
Conditions of Consent:
- Above the age of consent – Younger children are not aware of what sexual activities involve or how it might impact them. They don’t know what they are really being lured into. In most countries the age of consent is 16 and it is not permissible for younger children to engage in sexual activities of any form.
- Intellectual ability – Someone must have the mental capacity to decide. A person who has a mental health issue or related illness is unable to make a choice.
- Awareness – Someone must be conscious of what is happening in order to give their consent. No one can give consent if they are asleep, unconscious or too drunk etc.
- Continuous act of consent – This may include saying “yes”, or by demonstrating actions of encouragement. If someone freezes or changes their mind by saying “stop” or “no” etc, then the consent is considered withdrawn and it is no longer permissible to continue. If consent is withdrawn it must be sought again before continuing. If meeting the same person again, then consent must be given again.
Prohibitions:
- Force – It is not permissible to hold someone back or force them into a sexual act.
- Persistence – It is not permissible to nag or pressure someone to take part in a sexual act until they give in.
- Coercion, threats or tricks – It is not permissible to force someone into a sexual act by threatening in any manner. Coercion might include the threat to inform on someone for a misbehaviour, to harm them or someone they love, to send revealing images, to threaten their job position or any other form of threat. It is not permissible to manipulate or trick someone into taking part in any sexual act.
Examples of consent:
- “Yes”
- “Keep going”
- “More”
- “I like this”
- Undressing
- Returning touches to the other person
- Smiling
Examples of NOT consenting:
- "No"
- “Stop”
- “I’m not sure”
- “I’ve changed my mind”
- Silence / Not speaking (unless another consent indicator is present as mentioned previously)
- Not moving
- Moving away
- Crying
- Slurring words
- Covering themselves up
- Putting their clothes on
If unsure, check if they are still consenting:
- “Do you like this?”
- “Do you want to … ?”
- “Would you like to continue?”
- “Are you OK?”
If a sexual act takes place and the conditions of consent are not met it is sexual assault. If consent is not given, or someone is pressured or forced, it is a punishable crime.
Responses
People respond to sexual assault differently and the circumstances of the abuse can also affect how a person responds. The following are commonly recognised responses when someone anticipates or experiences sexual assault:
- Fight
- Flight
- Deter
- Call for Help
- Freeze
- Resign & Dissociation
Fight
Fight is where someone who is attacked responds by force or aggression. This may happen when someone does not feel overly threatened by the perpetrator or someone who tries their best to stop the aggression such as in the event of attempted rape. If the person attacked gets enraged, sometimes the aggression will even be turned back onto the attacker. It is common that people under threat get adrenalin rushes, which boosts their strength under stressful circumstances.
Examples of the “fight” response:
Rape: An example of fight is where a person intends to rape someone but their intended victim knees them brutally in the groins. This caused the attacker to reel in pain, which may allow time for the victim to escape.
Sexual Assault: One narration describes how someone’s boss touched their private parts while pretending it was an accident and hiding it from other customers in the bar. The intended victim turned and aggressively pushed back her boss against the wall, while grabbing him viciously by his precious gems, threatening him if he ever did it again. Although unreported, he never attempted to touch her again.
Sexual Assault: Another narration tells of how a fellow night-clubber grabbed her private area from beneath her short dress in packed room. She grabbed the hand from between her legs and used force to pull her attacker near to her to scream at him. (She also wished she left a few facial scratches as an additional gift)
Some people are more inclined to act with aggression than others. This is seen in cases where people have been sexually assaulted previously or those who grew up in rough environments (such as with few older brothers). Also people who have taken self-defence courses or training are more likely to respond with the fight instinct as their body is prepared to react against aggression.
Flight
Flight will generally take place when a person feels threatens and sees an opportunity to escape. A trigger warning may be felt when the aggressor is perceived as stronger or larger accompanied with a sense of threat. This sense of threat may appear as a sinister look in the eye or an act of sexual harassment (see harassment section).
Examples of the “flight” response:
At a friend’s house: While their friend was out another visitor makes an inappropriate comment while approaching, sensing danger the “would be victim” runs out of the house to seek protection from a neighbour.
At a party: The party was raging and most attendees were too drunk, the “would be victim” went up to a room for a rest, however, she was followed up unknowingly. The man’s intentions were clear as he pushed her onto the bed. Quickly jumping to her feet she was able to make for the door and run out of the house escaping.
Call for Help
When sexual assault takes place in a house with other occupants, a call for help works wonders.
Examples of the “call for help” response:
Sleepover: The survivor was staying at her friend’s and that same night the parents had a few friends over for drinks. She went to sleep in her friend’s room, but was awoken to find one of the visitors with his hands down her pants! Calling out for help brought the parents running to remove the perpetrator.
Another sleepover: While staying over at friend’s house, the survivor awoke to find her friend’s roommate in bed with her with his hands down her pants! After calling out for help, everyone in the house was alerted to the perpetrator and new sleeping arrangements were made.
Unfortunately these incidents are not uncommon, but hardly ever reported.
Deter
Deterring will take place if there is no-one else there or the survivor doesn’t want to draw attention to the reality of what is happening. Lying about needing to vomit, diarrhoea or pain can sometimes distract the perpetrator.
Examples of the “deter” response:
A hitched ride: One narrator tells of how she had hitched a ride and half way to the destination the driver had pulled over and she feared for her safety. To distract him from doing anything, she complained of having a sore stomach and feeling like she was going to vomit. She started asking for fresh air, so he drove on until they reached the nearest station.
Internal examination: A survivor was at a birthing centre with her husband in their private room. A nurse came in to check her internal progress, however, the nurse was stimulating an area she was not supposed to be touching! When the survivor realised what was taking place, she deterred her by saying that she was hurting her. And this prompted the nurse to stop.
Freeze
Freezing generally occurs in a state of shock and confusion during severe sexual assault incidents. During the “freeze” state a mental dialog takes place but the body stops responding to mental commands. If the incident (stimulation of any sex button) lasts longer than 1 second (sound it out in your head), then it is definitely sexual assault. In the event someone wasn’t able to respond and try to stop the assault, it is likely their body has entered the “freeze” state.
The following are some thoughts recorded by those who entered the “freeze” state:
- “This isn’t really happening…”
- “Scream so someone can come...”
- “Say no, tell them to stop…”
- “Hit them, smash their face...”
- “Just wait for it to be over...”
- “Do something…”
- “It’s almost over…”
- “Just play along until you can escape…”
- “God please help me...”
- “Put my hand to stop them from touching…”
- “Fight back...”
- “Why won’t my body work...”
Resign & Dissociation
Resigning takes place when the survivor realises that they are overpowered or helpless to take any action. This may occur if someone has been coerced, after trying to fight without success, or after a survivor realises they have entered the freeze state and cannot function normally. The “resign” state is where the survivor lets the abuser do what they want and is mostly accompanied by dissociation. Dissociation is where the survivor mentally disconnects from the physical situation.
Examples of the “dissociation”:
- Feeling you are in another room
- Watching yourself from above and not feeling anything
- The world looks fake or unreal
- Everything lost its colour or seems foggy
- Feeling that time has slowed down or sped up
- Imagining other scenarios
- Focusing on other details in the environment to numb the reality
Dissociation is a coping mechanism to help survivors deal with a traumatic experience they have no control over.
Harassment
Sexual Harassment is inappropriate behaviour which is suggestively or explicitly sexual. It is unwanted behaviour which makes you feel uncomfortable. Sexual Harassment is often a pre-cursor to sexual assault and should not be tolerated. It may come in the form of words, gestures, texts, touches or repetitive invites.
Examples of sexual harassment:
- Commenting, teasing or joking about private parts or sex
- Unwanted flirting
- Relating sexual jokes
- Name calling which is sex or gender based
- Any messaging containing sexually related content
- Sexual movements or touching themselves in a sexual manner
- Exposing their private parts
- Following someone around
- Staring or looking their body up and down
- Repeatedly asking for dates or inappropriate pictures
- Catcalling or whistling
- Investigative questions about one’s sexual life
If possible, sexual harassment should not be ignored. The person harassing should be told to stop and the harassment should be reported to an adult, security or an authority so the relevant legal procedures can be addressed. Sexual harassment is punishable by law and depending on the degree of severity it can earn someone a hefty fine or even a jail sentence.
Sexual Assault
As mentioned in the introduction, sexual assault can take many forms. A few broad categories include:
- Averted Sexual Assault
- Obvious or Hidden Assault
- Major Sexual Assault
- One Time Abuse vs. Ongoing Abuse
Averted Sexual Assault
Averted Sexual Assault is where the intended victim of sexual assault escapes, repels or distracts the “would be” perpetrator from major sexual assault. Sometimes, the actual assault did not take place, in which case it was likely that the incident was preceded by sexual harassment. Or the sexual assault was limited to a brief grope or grab.
A few examples of “Averted Sexual Assault” are where intended victims…
- Felt fear and ran to safety
- Called for nearby help
- Distracted the attacker
- Used their phone’s emergency call to alert the Police. A woman used her phones emergency feature to patch her through to emergency services, who got her GPS location and sent police to the scene.
- Hitting the attacker in a vulnerable area allowing time to escape (such as the groin, throat, nose, eyes and even scraping their shin with sharp heels)
Taking self-defence courses can equip people with the skills they need to protect themselves from an attack.
Our statistics consider “Averted Sexual Assault” as a category where the assault was prevented as opposed to “Sexual Assault” where an offence takes place.
Obvious or Hidden Assault
Sexual assault can either be obvious and clear or hidden. In the event the sexual assault is obvious, it is generally very clear to the survivor exactly what is taking place. Obvious unwanted sex acts like grabbing, groping, touching or threatening to show private parts are immediately recognised for what they are. However, when it is hidden and made to appear like an accident or it is disguised by another action, it can take the survivor a little more time to recognise the assault. In some cases, hidden assault can even go unnoticed.
Unnoticed hidden assault might be where a doctor or nurse disguises the assault as a normal medical procedure. A midwife might tell a new mother that a full breast check-up or an internal examination is required. Another common example is where a doctor tells his patient to remove their top / bra to use the stethoscope to check their breathing. Although in some case the survivor doesn’t realize what is taking place, it is still sexual assault.
Less obvious sexual assault includes acts like looking at ones private parts. This may occur by someone looking up a skirt, down a shirt or catching glances in a change room. It is also sexual assault when someone is forced or coerced to show their private parts, whether in person or images. In the event that images are later shared, this is referred to as revenge porn and is a cause of suicide.
Hidden assault may begin as a normal procedure such as an internal examination or a massage. The perpetrator pretends not to notice they are stimulating the patient or customer and in many incidents the survivor freezes and is unable to stop the assault.
As mentioned, if any unwanted sex act extends “one second” (It takes one second to say “one second” so sound it out in your head), then it is time to stop or avert the assault if you are able. If anyone touches you doing an unwanted sexual act, then do you what you can to exit from the situation if you can. Call out for help, say you feel sick and want to vomit, say it is hurting you or try to get away.
Major Sexual Assault
Major Sexual Assault is an incident of sexual assault which causes trauma and severe distress. Rape (involving penetration of any type), prolonged stimulation (sometimes resulting in an orgasm), and revenge porn are examples of major sexual assault. Rape is an example of obvious sexual assault. And an internal medical examination with external stimulation is an example of hidden sexual assault.
Major sexual can result in an orgasm as the body reacts to physical stimulation. It is important for survivors to understand that it is a natural reaction and not that their body has betrayed them. This reaction would be likened to the “knee jerk” reaction like when a doctor tests someone’s reflexes. It is not intentional and cannot be controlled.
If you are physically able, it is recommended to try to deter, fight back and in particular leave scratches or bite marks as identifiers for when trying to take the perpetrator to court. However, for many women the shame is so great that the thought of recounting the event to others is almost more unbearable than the attack itself.
One Time Abuse vs Ongoing Abuse
The previous examples in “major sexual assault” are generally examples of one time abuse. Rape takes on various forms including date rape, gang rape and incidents of prickings or spiked drinks reported from club outings. Revenge porn (exposing images or videos) is also another “one time” incident, however, the impact can often be much more devastating and prolonged. In fact it is reported that revenge porn impacts survivors the hardest. You are not alone! Unfortunately too many people have been affected and we can get through it. We are survivors.
Ongoing abuse on the other hand, is where the survivor is trapped in a cycle of abuse on a repetitive basis. This may be in the form of spouse assault or rape. Sex slavery is also ongoing abuse, where a person is trapped in a location or restricted by the confiscation of passports etc. Coercion of sexual acts is also ongoing abuse if it is repeated and the survivor feels compelled or forced. Coercion could occur by a perpetrator threatening to expose images, personal information or threaten to harm someone or their position or reputation etc. Sometimes breaking out of a cycle of ongoing abuse can seem impossible. But you are a survivor and you have the courage. You can do it!
In the event of revenge porn and ongoing coercive abuse, deleting social media accounts for a period of time can block a great deal of the harm. If necessary, changing schools, the place of work or even relocating can help to break out of the cycle. Sometimes it is just the thought of the humiliation that we are unable to deal with. But we are survivors. We can do it!
What to do?
The best thing to do depends on the type of assault and the options will vary depending on the situation and ability. In this lesson we cover some general suggestions which have been recommended.
- Ongoing Abuse
- Stuck in abuse
- Sex trafficking/ sex slavery/sex coercion
- Spouse abuse
- Building a new life
- One time abuse
- Rape
- Covert (hidden) assault
- Overpower assault
- Don’t blame yourself
- Trauma recovery
Ongoing abuse
STUCK IN ABUSE
If you are in a situation where you are unable to escape, it is very common for survivors to “go away” in their mind. Imagining different scenarios or even pretending that the event is happening to another person where the survivor needs to help them through it. Making up multiple personalities can help us to cope with horrible events that we cannot really deal with. Some of us are also able to bring on amnesia (make ourselves forget) and block out the memory of the event so we don’t need to remember it. But we have to try and make a plan, think about how we can get out. Our escape day will come.
SEX TRAFFICKING/ SEX SLAVERY/SEX COERCION
The first thing to do is get out. Never give up, keep looking for a way. Be smart and on the lookout for the right opportunity. Such as faking extreme pain one day and asking for the hospital. Keep planning and thinking how you can get away.
When you are able to get out, look for organisations that support survivors. They will help you get back on your feet and many survivors go on to help others who have been abused.
SPOUSE ABUSE
Breaking away from a loved one, or a controlling partner, can be very difficult. And if you are in a strange country with language barriers it can make it even harder. But be strong, you are special and deserve the utmost respect. Make the decision to leave and plan it secretly. Then when you have the support and strength, make the move. In most marriages it is recommended to try to reconcile issues, however, if partner rape has become a part of daily life, then this abuse is not acceptable at all. No one deserves to be abused. You are worth so much more than that!
*It has been recommended to pack an “emergency bag” (Really your “escape bag” for when you are ready to leave). The “emergency bag” would contain important papers and medications etc. so that there is no need to return. There should be one for you and possibly your partner to reduce suspicion. Then when the time is right, you take a walk with it and don’t go back.
BUILDING A NEW LIFE
After breaking out of ongoing abuse, it is important that you surround yourself with positive people and rebuild not only your life, but also your self-esteem. People who are abusive tend to use demoralising techniques to keep their victims under their control. They will put us down constantly and it is hard for us sometimes not to think bad about ourselves and self-worth. However, we are all special and deserve to be treated well. Yes, it is true, we make mistakes, and we ALL make mistakes. But we can’t let that stop us from rising up, learning from our mistakes and becoming the wonderful people we really are.
ONE TIME ABUSE
RAPE
Before rape: If you get the slightest feeling that someone might be about to attack you, try to get to safe area quickly. Try to move to a place where there are other people, get out in the open (middle of the street) or quickly make a call and talk to someone until you reach safety. Sometimes preventative measures can deter an attack.
Pre-rape: If the attack has started and you have been grabbed, then try to prevent a full assault by trying to escape. Hurting the attacker in a vulnerable place may give you time to get away:
- Try to kick him in the groins / or punch her in the breasts
- Hit or poke the attacker in a sensitive area like the eyes, nose or throat
- If attacked from behind, use the back of your shoes to scrape/gauge the length of his shin (this will be more painful with sharp high heels)
Mid rape: If you were unable to break away from the attacker do your best to leave a mark or a scar. This can be done be fiercely biting or scratching their skin etc.
After rape: Survivors are recommended to report their attacks and take a few health checks. Even though this can be very difficult, it may help prevent others from also being attacked. But after an assault we feel so ashamed and humiliated that we can hardly cope with simple things, let alone reliving the torment. But we are survivors and we can make a difference.
However, if you feel unable to report the rape, do not feel bad. Only a few survivors are actually able to come out and report the incident. For the rest of us it is just too humiliating.
Checklist of recommended follow up steps
- Reporting the incident to the police:
- If you are able to report the incident to the police immediately, there is a much higher chance that the attacker will be jailed as the evidence such as DNA will be fresh.
- Health checks (Check your area for specialist doctors who assist survivors):
- DNA samples to assist with police reports
- Pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted diseases
COVERT ASSAULT
Hidden assault: There is generally no sign of a covert assault as a pre-warning like in the case of rape where you can see your attacker coming for you. In many cases a covert attack will cause the survivor to even doubt that the attack is taking place. But keep in mind our “one second” count, if someone is touching or stimulating a “sex button” for longer than it takes to sound out the phrase “one second” in your head, then pull the alarm bell.
Some people will enter the "freeze" state where they cannot bring themselves to do anything. This is a normal survival mechanism which many people experience. However, if you are able to break out of the "freeze" state, try to say something to deter the perpetrator. Tell them “It is hurting” or “You are hurting me”. Any phrase which will interrupt the act is beneficial, such as pretending and saying you feel sick and want to vomit. You could also try to cover your sensitive area with your hand.
Overpower assault: When you are put into a situation where you are clearly overpowered and demanded to perform certain actions, you may also enter a “freeze” like state called the “resign” state. You are physically unable to object although your mind might be protesting and telling you to look for a way out. Understand that this is a survival mechanism and that you are not responsible for your actions under these circumstances. Don’t blame yourself and if needed seek counselling.
DON’T BLAME YOURSELF
After being abused it is natural that we put blame on ourselves… “What did I do to deserve this?” But always remember that no-one deserves to be abused in anyway, not physically, not mentally and not sexually.
Be positive and let us work together for a better future for everyone. We are “The Survivors”!
TRAUMA RECOVERY
After surviving a traumatic event, there will come a time when we need to process it and understand it from an “I’m safe now” perspective. Sometimes this can be as difficult as the events themselves. This is especially true in the case of flashbacks as every detail, thought and sensation is relived. They do fade over time, but we need to learn to deal with them. The healing process takes time and there are several ways we can go about it:
- Private therapy sessions with a specialised counsellor
- Group therapy sessions with a specialised moderator
- Talking to other survivors
- Talking to someone trusted
Here we have a safe platform for survivors to talk to each other. But if you feel you need specialised therapy, then you will need to contact an organisation that offers counselling for sexual assault. However, helping others to deal with their traumatic experiences can also help our own recovery process.
THERAPY METHODS
Just like everybody has different ways of coping, they also have different ways of healing. Here are a couple different techniques, depending on your needs and preferences you can see what works for you.
- Cognitive Processing Therapy: This is where you identify your negative thought patterns (such as low self-esteem / deserving abuse etc.) and change them into positive thoughts. This is a rational method of restructuring your understanding of events.
- Prolonged Exposure: This is where you revisit the traumatic experience continuously until you are desensitized to the impact it has on you. Following are some methods to achieve “prolonged exposure”:
- Talk about it: Sharing your experience with others.
- Write about it: Journaling your experiences and connected emotions.
- Think about it: Going over the event in your mind also contributes to this method.
- Trigger Reprocessing: For some survivors, there are events or places which trigger negative emotions or flashbacks. Trigger reprocessing involves thinking about the triggers while adding a new “safe” interpretation for the trigger. Reprogramming yourself to connect the new safe meanings or associations to the trigger can help you deal with triggers.
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) or tapping: This method is the same as the previous one; however, the eye movement is used to assist with the cognitive reprocessing of the trauma. Here the survivor will be told to watch the rapid finger movements of someone else, while they revisit their trauma following the movements from left to right. Eventually the survivor may disconnect themselves from the trauma using this method. Likewise tapping the body (left and right arm) to break the physical memory stored from the event can also contribute to the healing process.
- Physical methods: Role play, dancing, vigorous exercise and self-defence. Acting out different realities and learning self-defence techniques can make you feel empowered and transform your perspective. Trauma memory is stored in the body so it can also be soothed through physical means just as it can be triggered through physical means.
If you feel you need additional help, please look for a qualified specialist in your area.
Signs
Advice for others
If someone you know has been assaulted, give them the support that they need.
Advice for friends and family of survivors:
- Remain calm – they need your support
- Believe the survivor – and tell them that it is not their fault
- Give the survivor control – guide them to make the decisions they are comfortable with.
- Be supportive and respond appropriately to their reactions. They may cry, scream, get angry or even stay silent. Be there for them. Be there to listen.
- Assure they have your support. They need to know that you will be there for them.
- Avoid making threats against the attacker as they may feel more threatened.
- Be patient. Healing can take a long time.
Parents or caregivers of child survivors:
- Believe them.
- Be strong and calm in front of them. They need your strength.
- Get support for yourself if you need it.
- Keep in mind that signs of abuse (as follows) are normal and children should not be punished for them.
Signs
If you see any of the following signs of abuse in someone, it may be that they have been a victim of assault or another traumatic experience. Be gentle and try to find the underlying source of trouble so they can receive the help they need. If you know a survivor who develops any of the following, this is most likely an indicator that they need trauma therapy.
Signs of abuse:
- Drinking and drug abuse to numb the memories
- Pregnancy and abortion
- Rebellion and violence
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Low self-esteem / Bad self-image
- Anxiety
- Trouble concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Amnesia (no memory of the event)
- Avoiding things associated with the abuse
- Don’t like to people to get too close
- Perfectionism
- Get angry easily (to hide worry)
- Feel nothing is safe
Emotional signs of abuse:
- Shame and embarrassment
- Feeling crushed and helpless
- Guilt and self-blame
- Fear and distrust
- Sadness and lack of control
- Numbness and confusion
- Isolation and anger
- Shock and disbelief
Signs of child abuse:(in addition to the above points)
- Signs of trauma in the genital region (bleeding/bruising) or stained underwear
- Regressive behaviour like wetting the bed and sucking their thumb
- Drop of grades at school or decreased interest
- Keeping secrets
- Talk about sexual topics/behaviour which is age inappropriate
- Avoid removing clothing to bathe
- Self-harming behaviours
- Excessive fear
*These signs do not mean that an abuse has definitely taken place. Some signs could be related to other issues or exposure to other events. For example sexual behaviour which is age inappropriate could also occur after viewing adult content on television. Children also learn by copying others and may be imitating behaviours they have seen in someone else. However, these signs should not be ignored. Speak to a specialist for guidance on how to approach the situation.
Safe environments
Protecting Children
- Teach your child about body boundaries.
- Teach your child how to talk about their bodies.
- Be available and give them freedom to talk to you about anything.
- Let them know they won’t get in trouble if they share their secrets with you. Offenders often use secrets and threats to manipulate them.
- Beware of strange behaviour patterns in other adults.
Engaged Bystanders Be an engaged bystander by intervening before, during, or after a situation when you see or hear behaviours that promote sexual violence. “It is common for people to witness situations where someone makes an inappropriate sexual comment or innuendo, tells a rape joke, or touches someone in a sexual manner. Bystanders may also witness other forms of sexual violence. Bystanders who witness the behaviour or hear the comment, can intervene in a positive way that will help create a safer environment.”
Prevention
While it would be nice “in a perfect world” to have the freedom to do and wear what we want. But the truth is that we don’t live in that perfect world. Rather, unfortunately we live in a world where too many evil people are harming the innocent. Therefore, it is recommended to take precautionary steps to try and stay safe.
Keep yourself safe
- Stay in busy areas
- Don’t travel or go to gatherings alone
- Watch your drink and keep your hand over the top while not drinking
- Keep an eye out on strange behavior from others who might intend to prick someone
- Know how to use your phone’s emergency features
- Use a safety app
- Take self-defense training or rape defense classes
- Train yourself to react proactively to inappropriate behavior
- Do not sexually tease someone who has had too much to drink
- Don’t wear clothes which are too revealing
- Keep your car, home or dorm locked
- Report sexual harassment before it becomes more serious
- Avoid people who you don’t feel comfortable around
- Avoid areas where you don’t feel safe
At all times we should trust our instincts and if things don’t feel right, don’t take a chance. Group up with others and make sure everyone stays safe. If you see someone being assaulted, try to intervene if you feel it is appropriate, or call the police.
Keep others safe
- Keep an eye on your friends
- Be aware of the behavior of those around you
- If you suspect someone has been drugged, call the police immediately
- Stay with potential victims
- Speak out against all forms of sexual harassment
Revenge Porn
- Don’t let anyone take revealing pictures of you
- Don’t give out personal details or share inappropriate content
- Screenshot any threats or online evidence
Stay safe!
Bibliography
- Alexa. 2015. “A Girl’s Guide to Staying Safe in College” https:// theyounghopeful. wordpress.com/ 2015/12/27/a-girls-guide-to-staying-safe-in-college/
- Amaze Org. 2020. “Sexual Assault, Consent and Sexual Harassment: What's The Difference?” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=4qWt2qZ59w8
- Avert. 2021. “Sexual Consent” https://www.avert.org/sex-stis/consent
- Bessel van der Kolk. 2021. “6 ways to heal trauma without medication” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=ZoZT8-HqI64
- Crappy Childhood Fairy. 2018. “Most CPTSD Treatments Don't Work. Here's What Does.” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GXSlAfoJiAg
- DDM Global. 2015 “10 Examples of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.” http://pauluslawfirm.com/ 10-examples-of-sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace/
- Government of Canada. 2022. “Sexual Assault.” https://www.laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/ eng/acts/C-46/section-271.html
- Department of Defense Education Activity. 2018. “Examples of Sexual Harassment.” https://www.dodea.edu/ sexualHarassment/Examples-of-Sexual-Harassment.cfm
- Greek Reporter. 2021. “Revenge Porn Makes Ugly Appearance in Greece.” https://greekreporter.com/ 2021/12/15/revenge-porn-greece/
- Hawaii Community College. n.d. “Ways to reduce your Risk of Sexual Assault” https://hawaii.hawaii.edu/ sites/default/files/ assets/security/docs/ sexualassault_prevention.pdf
- Health Line. n.d. “8 Self-Defense Moves Every Woman Needs to Know.” https://www.healthline.com/ health/womens-health/self-defense-tips-escape
- Health Navigator. 2020. “Sexual Assault” https://www.healthnavigator. org.nz/ health-a-z/s/sexual-assault/?tab=13923
- Hormone Health Network. n.d. “What is Adrenaline?.” https://www.hormone.org/ your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/adrenaline
- Hopper, Jim. 2018. “Freezing during Sexual Assault and Harassment.” https://www. psychologytoday.com/ us/blog/sexual-assault-and-the-brain/201804/freezing-during-sexual-assault-and-harassment
- Hunt, Dr Phoebe. 2021. “Consent.” https://www.healthnavigator. org.nz/ health-a-z/c/consent/
- Kuadli, Jenifer. 2021. “32 Shocking Sexual Assault Statistics for 2021.”https://legaljobs.io/ blog/sexual-assault-statistics/
- Mayo Clinic. 2017 “Dissociative disorders.” https://www.mayoclinic.org/ diseases-conditions/dissociative-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20355215
- Med Circle. 2021 “6 Hidden Signs of Complex PTSD (cPTSD) | MedCircle” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=44hqDT7NNHU
- Morton, Kati. 2017. What is Consent, Assault & Harassment? https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=B-ltH7RIpWU
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). n.d. “About Sexual Assault.” https://www.nsvrc.org/about-sexual-assault
- Pennsylvania Coalition against Rape. 2013. “A Guide for Friends & Family of Sexual Violence Survivors”
- Psychology Today. n.d. “Dissociation” https://www. psychologytoday.com/ us/basics/dissociation
- RAINN. n.d. “Warning Signs for Young Children” https://www.rainn.org/ articles/warning-signs-young-children
- Rape Crisis. Nd. “What is sexual consent?” https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-informed/about-sexual-violence/sexual-consent/
- Sheppard, Sarah. 2030. “Understanding Rape and Sexual Assault” https://www. verywellmind.com/ what-is-sexual-assault-4844451
- Tavss Fletcher. n.d. “What Does The Term “Sexual Assault “ Mean, And How Broad Is The Definition?.” https://www.tavss.com/ faqs/defining-and-classifying-levels-of-sexual-assault.cfm
- Therapy in a Nutshell. 2019. “The Freeze Response and Sexual Assault: PTSD and Trauma Recovery #2” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=pes7H4ECTdw
- The School of Life. 2020. “12 signs you might be suffering from PTSD” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=qOibW5LXt3w
- Veterans Health Administration. 2014. “Veterans Health Administration” https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=FeLLt39DI8A
- Walker, Justin. 2018. “10 Examples of Sexual Harassment That You Didn’t Realize Were Sexual Harassment.” https://walkerlawsd.com/ 10-examples-of-sexual-harassment-that-you-didnt-realize-were-sexual-harassment/
- World Health Organisation. 2021. “Devastatingly pervasive: 1 in 3 women globally experience violence.” https://www.who.int/ news/item/09-03-2021-devastatingly-pervasive-1-in-3-women-globally-experience-violence