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Anyway, here are some of the ways sexual assault/harassment changes the behaviour of victims:
1. Making sure you wear shoes you can run in when walking alone
2. Alerting your friends/family when you are walking alone/in an uber/on a sparsely populated train/bus etc
2. Alerting your friends/family when you are walking alone/in an uber/on a sparsely populated train/bus etc
3. Fashioning everyday items (like keys) into makeshift weapons to defend yourself while you are out
4. Becoming hypervigilant or unable to relax
5. Being triggered by seemingly innocuous things: the sound of male laughter, the sight of of a closed door you can't reach
4. Becoming hypervigilant or unable to relax
5. Being triggered by seemingly innocuous things: the sound of male laughter, the sight of of a closed door you can't reach
6. Becoming hyper-focused on particular tasks so as to have some semblance of control over something
7. Self isolation
8. Changes in appetite
9. Seemingly unexplained crying jags
7. Self isolation
8. Changes in appetite
9. Seemingly unexplained crying jags
10. Hypersexuality in some cases
11. Denial
12. Avoidance of crowds and/or strangers
13. Mistrust
11. Denial
12. Avoidance of crowds and/or strangers
13. Mistrust
14. Obsessive compulsive traits e.g. checking a specified number of times if the door is locked
15. Self harm (in its many forms including excessive drinking, cutting, etc)
15. Self harm (in its many forms including excessive drinking, cutting, etc)
16. Mood swings
17. PTSD (flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety disorder)
18. Negative self-image brought on by feelings of guilt
19. Inability to maintain relationships (inc. friendships)
17. PTSD (flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety disorder)
18. Negative self-image brought on by feelings of guilt
19. Inability to maintain relationships (inc. friendships)
I could go on. Now imagine experiencing any of the above AND dealing with people minimising or outright dismissing your trauma. Calling you a liar. Bringing your abuser around you. Chilling with and taking up for other abusers.
I will never stop talking about this and will never ease up on abusers. They ruin lives and their enablers help them to do so. Thunder fire all of you.
We haven't even got into the physical aspect of it.
SEVERE TW for rape/sexual assault.
Many will have to contend with medical bills from hospital visits, the pain and humiliation of a rape kit (many of which go untested for years)
SEVERE TW for rape/sexual assault.
Many will have to contend with medical bills from hospital visits, the pain and humiliation of a rape kit (many of which go untested for years)
Bruises, cuts, tears. The trip to the chemist to buy disinfectant and bandages to treat your own wounds. The makeup to cover bruises and scars. The fear of pregnancy.
I want, and I can't stress this enough, all of them dead.
