In 2006, Tarana Burke, an American social activist, used the phrase “Me Too” on a social networking platform to highlight the occurrence of sexual harassment.

She argued that the Me Too movement worked on “empowerment through empathy” by showing the world how common sexual abuse is and by telling survivors that they are not alone.

Sexual abuse is a term many are aware of, but only some fully understand. Existing in every nook and cranny of society, our ignorance is what drives its roots to reach so deep in our society.

According to Psychology Today, Sexual Abuse or sexual assault refers to any sexual activity taking place without consent. Sexual abuse impacts the capability to control sexual activity or the situations in which the sexual activity transpires, including oral sex, rape, or restricting access to birth control and condoms. Due to rape, sexual abuse, and molestation being such shame-filled concepts in our society, the information about these usually gets suppressed and the victims end up feeling like it was their fault.

Some examples of sexual abuse are:

  • Forcing or threatening someone into unwanted sexual activity.

  • Unwanted touching or kissing.

  • Harassment or attempted harassment

  • Interfering with one’s ability to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

  • Sexual contact with someone who cannot give informed consent.

Sexual assault is a devastatingly pervasive problem. According to a survey conducted in 2018, almost 81% of women and 43% of men have reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. It is necessary to understand that anyone can be a victim of sexual abuse regardless of age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Signs that an adult has been sexually assaulted:

  • Anxiety about specific situations that did not cause anxiety in the past

  • Avoiding certain people or locations

  • Persistent sadness or depression

  • Low self-esteem.

  • Sleep problems or nightmares

  • Self-harming behavior

  • Suicidal thoughts

  • New sexually transmitted diseases

Survivors of sexual abuse may experience physical injuries as a consequence of the assault, as well as emotional and psychological injuries such as fear, shock, sadness, and, in some cases, anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder. Hence, this traumatic event can have a significant impact on the overall health, relationships, and career of the victims.

The societal stigmas associated with abuse, as well as the fear of retaliation or reliving the traumatic assault, frequently prevent survivors from disclosing their abuse and receiving the help they deserve. Therapy can often successfully address the trauma of sexual abuse. It can help survivors of sexual abuse learn how to process their trauma and regain the confidence that they once lost.

Importance of Professional Counseling: A friend or family member may listen to you, but they aren’t professionally, technically qualified or experienced to offer you professional advice. If you wish you can contact us at MindTribe to receive help from our team of expert psychologists.

About MindTribe.in.

MindTribe Founder Dr. Prerna Kohli, India’s eminent psychologist, established the company to leverage the strength of the online to make counseling affordable and accessible to everyone. MindTribe provides counseling, workshops, support groups, forums, and eLearning.

About the Author.

Anushka Shukla is a counselor at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.

Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.