NCJ Number
234147
Date Published
2011
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This paper presents research findings related to trauma and recovery that pertain to the experiences of survivors of sexual assault.
Abstract
The paper first identifies the psychological experiences shared by survivors of sexual violence. They commonly experience sudden, intrusive memories that disrupt their daily lives. This often results in self-destructive urges to dissociate from their painful trauma, no matter what the cost of escape. In order to help survivors of sexual assault better understand why and how their victimization has impacted their emotional and physical states, this paper reviews the research on how the human brain and biochemistry react to experiences that threaten one's sense of well-being and safety. This is followed by an overview of the features of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which pertains to the psychological and physical aftermath of sexual assault. The paper then turns to the recovery from PTSD, which involves channeling negative feelings into positive actions. A central part of this experience of turning a traumatic experience into a positive experience of personal growth involves recognizing that the assault does not define one's personal identity, but is reflective of a biologically intensified drive to recover and preserve one's sense of well-being and worth. There are numerous therapies that facilitate the process of recovery from PTSD specific to experiencing sexual violence. Cognitive-behavioral therapeutic models have proven their effectiveness in helping sexual assault victims understand what has happened to them and how they can constructively cope with its aftermath.