The high-profile Cosby sexual assault cases should raise public awareness about the tragedy of isolation resulting from rape. Since everyone knows someone who has survived a sexual assault, it’s important we all understand the psychological aftermath of these assaults in order to best support the survivors in our lives. Continue
Contrary to our instinct to hide traumatic experiences, the quickest route to healing from rape is to talk about it– with a friend, a counselor, or even on a hotline. Many years ago, I volunteered on a rape and battering hotline and nearly every call I took ended with the caller saying she felt better just having talked about it. Continue
Shame and a cultural investment in women’s poor self-esteem form the ideological pillars of sexual violence against women, making female victims of sexual violence accomplices in their own victimization. Continue
The next thing I knew, a fifth guy came up behind me and grabbed me around the chest with one arm and around my throat with the other. At the same time, the other guys started to move closer and the only thing I thought of was, ‘Oh, no this is not going to happen.’ I don’t remember thinking anything else. Continue