ELLEN’S COUCH
Sexual Violence
Sexual Violence
Rape is a crime of violence. Sexual violence is a violation of the body and spirit. While individual experiences may differ, it is a shared experience of the female gender that can happen to any woman or girl.
Though changes in consciousness over the last 25 years have improved many aspects of women’s lives, too many women live with unresolved issues from sexual violation. It is a crime that still occurs with alarming frequency.
As a society, we’ve been learning about the experiences of boys and men who are also victims of sexual violence. Although it is not the epidemic for men that it is for women, men who have experienced sexual violence suffer many of the same symptoms as women.
Unfortunately, many survivors retreat into silence or compartmentalize their pain. It can take years for survivors to be ready to face their wounds. People use unhealthy coping methods to escape the pain and shame, such as alcohol, drugs and other addictive behaviors.
Sometimes survivors are resigned to living with depression, anxiety, insomnia, eating disorders, hyper-vigilance and other symptoms they may not associate with the experience of sexual violence.
My experience has taught me that the capacity to heal is within every survivor. I am always honored to work with that person where they are in their process, when they are ready to take on these issues.
For more information, visit Peace Over Violence
(formerly LA Commission on Assaults against Women)
Suffering and Healing: Opportunities for Growth
© ellen ledley, lcsw 2008
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