Rape and Sexual Assault Therapy and Treatment
Rape Trauma Syndrome is a common and normal set of reactions to rape or sexual assault, which may include the following symptoms:
Crying, anxiety, agitation, or hysteria
Shock that appears as calmness
Disbelief, disorientation, difficulty in daily tasks
Poor concentration, Poor recall of the assault
Minimizing or trivializing the rape episode
Suppressing the memory as though nothing happened
Self-victimization through judgment or analysis
Escape by moving, changing relationships/jobs/appearance
PTSD symptoms can include:
Continuing anxiety
Severe mood swings
Increased arousal (sleep difficulties, poor concentration, hypervigilance, irritability, anger or rage.)
Helplessness
Persistent fear or phobia
Depression (may lead to suicide attempts)
Problem eating
Denial
Withdrawal (from family, friends, activities)
Disturbing memories of the event (flashbacks, which can include body memories)
Also see Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Therapy and Treatment
Rape or sexual assault can be any unwanted and/or violent sexual activity forced upon another person, female or male, without their permission and against their will.The sexual activity is a way to use, hurt, humiliate, or control another person. Perpetrators may be boyfriends, girlfriends, family members, lovers, partners, acquaintances, drunk persons at a party or strangers.
A rape or another form of sexual assault takes place every two minutes in the United States. In 2007, there were 248,300 victims of sexual assault, with 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men becoming a victim of sexual assault in their lifetime. But updated information from the Kaiser ACES Study indicates that men report to them that they have been sexually abused in their family at a rate of 20%. So it is very likely that as it becomes more “ok” for men to report, we will see these statistics increase. In other words, it is very likely that the statistics for men are not accurate, due to under-reporting.
Men feel particular shame about being sexually assaulted, as it is common for people to have irrational beliefs:
- Men can’t be raped
- They may not greeted with empathy and support when they disclose their abuse, due to this false prejudice
Though college-age women are four times as likely to be sexually assaulted, sixty percent of the incidents go unreported. Adults who were sexually assaulted in childhood may experience Complex PTSD. Adult survivors often have somatic symptoms that represent the psychological distress and, hence, may have an unusually high use of health care services.
EMDR treatment was first researched for dealing with trauma and PTSD from rape and molestation (or combat trauma). The purpose is to provide therapy in a calm, safe environment to decrease the intensity of the triggers that bring on the symptoms mentioned above. Our EMDRIA-Certified EMDR therapists are highly skilled, compassionate and understanding of the suffering borne from the kind of boundary violation and intrusion experienced through rape and other forms of sexual assault.
It is important to know what to do in the case of rape, and it is important to remember it is never, ever the victim’s fault. The one who chooses to rape is responsible for that choice. Feelings of shame can occur as a normal reaction to having been in a risky situation, not noticing the risk, or to having been violated, but it is in the victim’s best interest to report the circumstance. The City of San Diego’s Rape Crisis Center provides free and confidential services. This includes 24-hour hospital accompaniment (though you may want to bring your own trusted support person as well to help advocate for you), liaison for survivors, phone and in-person counseling. They also provide education and support in the courts. Temporary restraining orders are provided free of charge.
24-hour Toll Free Crisis Line: 1-888 385-4657
Coastal Location: 858-272-5777
La Mesa Location: 619 697 7477
North County Location: 760-747-6282
Nationally: 1-800-656-HOPE
We have much hope for you in recovering from the trauma of rape or sexual assault. Please note on our home page that the brain scan is of a woman who experienced two rapes. Her PTSD was severe and is reflected in the first brain scan, showing a brain overwhelmed by trauma. The second brain scan shows how her brain looked after she completed her EMDR therapy in four 90 min. sessions.
Please call one of our EMDR specialists today, because they would be honored to assist you in recovery from sexual assault, and in getting yourself, and your life, back.
Please also see our Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Therapy and Treatment information. The same brain scan of the woman who experienced rape is shown on that page. All of the therapists on this website specialize in PTSD, and would be able to help you.
