About Amber AmourAmber Amour is a holistic therapist and life coach that concentrates on dealing with sexual attack survivors of all walks of life: LGBTQ, adult performers, and more. Her Consentopia ebook series discusses everything you need to understand about permission and how to heal after sexual assault. Click the following link to the Consentopia ebook series here: www.amberamour.com/shop.
“Sometimes the worst things that happen to us put us in alignment with the best things that have taken place to us.” ~ Unknown.
Child sexual assault victims who speak out are incredibly brave and vulnerable. Be conscious of your energy and responses if a child comes to you for support. If you need to inquire concerns to get a much better understanding, bear in mind your tone, body language, and articulation.
When I experienced sexual attack at the age of thirteen, I didnt tell anybody due to the fact that I hesitated that I would be penalized.
I grew up in a home where I was trained to disappoint too much skin and to always prevent the male gaze. The day I was raped, I was wearing a skirt. I understood that, in some way, I would be blamed and penalized, so I remained quiet.
As an adult, I discovered through spirituality that I required to alter how I viewed rape survivors and myself. None people “asked for it.”.
When attending to a rape survivor, its essential to utilize consent-oriented rules and language. There are a range of words and expressions you must never ever say.
Be gentle with sexual attack survivors. Rape is a fragile and setting off subject. If somebody pertains to you for help, inquire what they require and if there is anything you can do for them.
Listen. Inspect in on them.
Look previous your judgments of the scenario and simply exist to support them as finest you can. Make certain to look after yourself and your energy while assisting others.
Usually, I would just ask questions if you need to. Some individuals do not wish to share details of a terrible experience. This is easy to understand.
Be sensitive to your tone if you are required to ask some of the following concerns for an examination. Avoid judgment and any phrases that sound judgmental.
It can even be practical to state, “Rape is never ever the victims fault. I simply require to ask you a couple of concerns to get a much better photo of what happened. Is that fine with you?”.
Only state what requires to be said. Just ask what requires to be asked. You might wish to dig deeper, but you may end up stating the incorrect thing and retraumatizing them even more.
Rape survivors need to be heard.
How would you wish to be treated if you went to somebody for assistance? Provide them the most empathy and genuine love you can funnel from your innermost being. Thats the finest way to support them.
To shift from our existing rape culture and into a culture of authorization, we must change the meaningless, go-to responses that we have toward victims of sexual abuse.
Why is it typical to ask, “Was she intoxicated?” Why do individuals ask about what somebody was wearing at the time of a sexual attack?
Its typical since society has taught us to judge rather of love. In a culture of approval, the state of mind is different.
In a culture of approval, we know that it does not matter if somebody was drinking. Nobody should have rape.
In a culture of consent, there is less blame and more empathy. When it comes to creating a culture of authorization, Compassion is key.
Empathy in a culture of approval indicates extending unconditional love to sexual attack survivors. We can no longer live as we are as a society. The time for change is now.
To implement this cultural shift, we can just start with ourselves, our ideas, and our responses towards rape survivors.
I developed the following list to assist you take one major step in that direction.
44 Things to NEVER Say to a Rape Survivor.
1. What were you using?
2. Were you drunk?
How did it take place? (Ask them if they are comfy with sharing what took place. This question is only necessary for law enforcement authorities and health care professionals who are needed to know the information in order to help the survivor.).
4. Did you yell?
5. Why didnt you scream?
6. You actually require to get a weapon.
7. I know a self-defense class that you must go to.
8. Your clothing was very attractive.
9. How could that occur to you, again?
10. Did you say “no”?
11. Did you battle back?
12. Youve already made love, so, whats the difference?
13. Youre a guy, youre expected to like it.
14. Rape is every persons dream. (A woman stated this to me while I was chalking in NYC in 2015.).
15. How can a girl rape a kid?
16. Rape cant take place during marital relationship.
17. Theres no use in crying about it.
18. You need to let go of your anger.
19. Are you sure it was rape?
20. Werent you dating?
21. Why didnt you get a rape kit?
22. Have you had sex given that?
23. You ought to have screamed “fire.”.
24. Why havent you reported it?
25. I believed you liked him/her/them.
26. Its your fault.
27. You shouldnt have gone with them.
28. You were asking for it.
29. You attracted that.
30. You led them on.
31. Thats not rape.
32. That was sex. You could have prevented it.
33. You should have safeguarded yourself.
34. You should not have been out late.
35. You should not have actually been drinking.
36. You should not have gone to that celebration.
37. That would never occur to me.
38. Youre smarter than that.
39. Stop putting yourself in situations like that.
40. It could be worse.
41. Get over it.
42. Its not that huge of a deal.
43. I hope you learned your lesson.
44. There are some things you could have done differently.
Instead of shaming or blaming someone who has been distressed, hold back those ideas. Focus only on how you can be a buddy to them in their time of requirement. It suggests that they trusted you if they came to you for aid.
Spirituality assisted me see my power and the importance of my voice. It taught me to have compassion for myself and fellow survivors. Sexual attack healing can be catapulted when the rape survivor has a caring, supportive team of individuals who they can go to in times of requirement.
How can you produce this kind of safe space for the sexual attack survivors in your life? How can you create this safe space for yourself?
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The day I was raped, I was wearing a skirt. Rape is a fragile and triggering topic. It can even be helpful to state, “Rape is never ever the victims fault. Rape is every mans dream. Sexual assault healing can be catapulted when the rape survivor has a caring, encouraging team of individuals who they can go to in times of requirement.
