Getting raped is a despicable experience that no one should go through. The unforgivable act itself is something that no one deserves, and falling victim to such leaves a certain scar that with some deeper into what others can comprehend. While you may still feel embarrassed about what happened, you can still overcome the odds and continue living the life you choose to live. However, for most people the disgrace still lingers on.
Most victims find it hard to speak up for themselves after going through sexual abuse, mainly because they may think that others will judge them wrongly. If you have been sexually abused at the hands of anyone, you can seek the help of a qualified lawyer who will aggressively argue your case. The experienced lawyers at AbuseGuardian.com can help you find the justice you deserve by presenting your case with the necessary caution it requires. The act is irreversible, but that doesn’t mean that an offender deserves to run free. Having them in bars may or may not give closure to the victims, but it’s a start and they can take pleasure with the fact that a disgusting being will no longer be able to harm anyone again. In turn, victims can then go on living their lives to the fullest and grow past this hateful experience.
Here are some of the things that a rape victim has to put up with, even after years of the abuse:
Depression
Depression is a main aftermath of sexual violence that most assault victims go through after the incident. Anyone can be guilty of sexual abuse, even your local doctor or other medical practitioners can be the abuser and thus leave you in a state of depression. The feelings of losing your hope and associated with sadness as well as constant unhappiness may at times interrupt your lifestyle and thought patterns, which can go on for years, even throughout the rest of your life. Depression is no respecter of persons and it can happen to anyone. So if you continuously experience feelings of depression or mood swings, it’s a sign that you are still feeling the effects of the sexual assault afterward. Once you are still getting depressed, especially often, it’s best that you seek the help of a competent professional on the subject.
Flashbacks
Most people tend to have flashbacks after a violent crime is committed to them. Therefore, after the attack of a sexual assault on your person, you may experience some flashbacks that may seem as if you are actually repeatedly reliving the scene in your mind. While having a flashback, it is sometimes difficult for you to reconnect with reality and you might even feel that the attacker is still physically present with you again in the room. Flashbacks can come anytime and anywhere. They can be triggered by various things such as the smell of someone else’s cologne, being in a similar place to where the attack took place or in the presence of someone who resembles the attacker and so on.
Stressful Feelings That Lead To Post-traumatic Disorder
Some sexual assault victims tend to go through stressful periods after an attack occurs. Once the periods begin to lengthen into weeks and even start interrupting with your normal life, it is said that you are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The feelings of experiencing some stress, anxiety, and fear after being sexually abused are all normal. However, having a post-traumatic stress disorder issue takes the problem to the extreme and you might feel as if you are constantly in danger of having someone else attacking you. This feeling can make your life difficult and you might find it a constant challenge to carry out your daily routine.
Suicidal Thoughts
Thoughts of suicide may try to push into your mind after you have been through a sexual assault. If this is happening to you, try to understand that you are not the only one experiencing this problem. In fact, many people after going through a traumatic experience in their life end up being plagued by suicidal thoughts. Having such thoughts is not showing up weaknesses in you, but rather they are telling your mind that you are hurting inside. However, with the right type of support from family members, friends, and some psychiatric help, you can overcome the feeling and move on with your life.
Have Sexually Transmitted Diseases To Deal With
After suffering a sexual assault, it’s best that you go to see a doctor and have a thorough check-up done for you. Ask the medical practitioner to check to see if you are carrying in your body any sexually transmitted diseases. If the doctor should find that you are infected with any diseases, don’t feel down as a lot of such diseases can be cured. You need only trust your doctor and let them help you.
Experience Low Self-esteem
Like most sexual assault victims that have been through physical attacks, you might start experiencing feelings of low self-esteem afterward. These feelings can cause you to do a number of things such as avoid friends and family members, avoiding going to public places, threatening to destroy your deepest relationships, make it difficult to perform academically at school, and so on. If you constantly see yourself unworthy, inadequate, unacceptable and incompetent, it is probably because you are suffering from low self-esteem. Some ways you can overcome low self-esteem is by staying connected with people who care about you, thinking positive, staying focused, practicing peaceful meditations and letting go of the past.
As a rape victim, you don’t have to live in fear all of your life. You can overcome the odds and better your life by putting the past behind you and moving on to greater things in the future. Your life can shine once again and you can live in confidence for the rest of your day.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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