April is the Official Sexual Assault and Abuse Awareness Month
If it's not sexual crimes we read about in the papers, or sexual assaults and child abuse stories, we are subjected to reading and hearing about the sex offenders who are getting away with sentences which do not fit the crime of these heinous acts committed against men, women and children.
As harsh as it may sound these offenders are getting away with murder. (Souls die) Many victims end up dead or live a dead life. Often suicide is their only answer to end the pain after they have made every attempt to regain control over their lives. Self destruction is a common side effect, as is the chase of living a normal life, doing everything and anything to 'get over it' or to forget about it and put it in the past.
- Those of us who survive, are usually left with little support from our government, and health care systems.
- We may be referred to some free clinics, or may be offered to join group support, or at best, handed a pamphlet of 'resources in your area' where you can find support.
Much of the support available comes from therapists who only have text book experience, knowledge or insight from other survivors which they have successfully or unsuccessfully 'treated'
Please Psychiatrist; Hand me a gun!
Psychiatrists will dole out labels, and prescriptions for every symptom or complaint that the survivor presents at each visit, often creating a psycho-pharmacology mess.
These doctors- professionals, often contribute to the addiction to prescription medications including providing the patient with enough medication to overdose. Might as well hand them (the patient / survivor) a gun.
Unless you can afford the 'real deal' therapy (which is on your own dime) or have monies to purchase books that could possibly help, or have the time to spend countless hours at your nearby library; you are basically 'shit out of luck'
If victims don't have access to a computer for additional help, or to find access to more help, and the ability to connect with other survivors, they too are left with less tools or help and support.
Victims of assault often blame themselves, they feel immense shame no matter how many times they are told "it wasn't your fault"
We might believe that, and we may even know it, deep down within our core- but, it continues to resurface: often without our being aware that it is happening.
Drugs, legal or prescribed are used, and abused to help these thoughts -feelings and the actions of the survivor that occur at anytime in their chaotic life.
Survivors do not know how to love, or be loved after assault.
Survivors have been robbed of one of the most wonderful and pleasurable gifts known to mankind.
It's called Sex; they simply do not know how to enjoy it, or believe that there is, or will ever be a time where they will find interest in a healthy sexual relationship.
There are things that a survivor simply will never share or talk about to a therapist or to anyone.
There are things that a therapist also, simply won't ask a survivor.
The questions that need to be asked aren't.
The therapy that the survivor needs isn't provided, mostly because the therapists are unaware of the survivor's needs, or wants because he or she won't "bring it up" therefore the real present, current issues, challenges or problems are never addressed. - no one is creating awareness around this particular topic that needs to be discussed, shared, and treated. There can't be a solution to a problem, or problems, if we don't know what the problem is, or if there even is one.
Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Awareness Month- April
It isn't enough to talk with our children about 'strangers' anymore these days, because most often the persons committing the atrocious assaults are not strangers: the perpetrators are friends, family, coaches, and people that we know. The sex offenders are people in power positions, they are the very people who our children trust, and the very people we as parents trust to take care of our children.
Day care workers, babysitters, and teachers are just a few of these potential child abusers who we need to be watchful of.
What happens when someone is sexually assaulted?
Essentially the victim has been robbed. The attack and assault regardless of the degree of the assault, where or how it happened, or how many times it happened and 'who' did it causes extreme immediate and ongoing prolonged affects to the victim for the rest of their life.
Even if there has been treatment, therapy, or support and the person assaulted goes from 'victim' to 'survivor' the life and lives of those who have been exposed to this nasty epidemic will be changed forever.
Assault of this nature affects everyone.
It's time to do something different; Because what we are doing just isn't working.
Comments