Get informed : Violence

Ambivalent emotions. Sexual assault may greatly confuse the victimized person. If you have experienced a sexual assault, you may go through a wide range of emotions — maybe even contradictory ones. You may feel fear, shame, guilt, sadness, anger, betrayal, disappointment, or humiliation. If you were assaulted by someone you liked, knew, and trusted (family member, romantic partner), you may have trouble comprehending what’s happened. You may also continue to feel attached towards the person and even attempt to convince yourself that the assault never really happened or that ot wasn’t really an assault.

The victim isn’t guilty. Many people who have been sexually assaulted feel guilty about what happened to them. If you have been assaulted, you are in no way responsible for what was done to you; only the person who assaulted you is. Not having said NO doesn’t mean that you consented. A person who commits sexual assault often uses manipulation to attain their goals (read more here about consenting to sexual activity).

Don’t try to work it out all by yourself! If you are experiencing or have experienced sexual assault, or if you think that you yourself are at risk of committing acts of sexual violence, it is important that you seek help (read more here about how to get help if you’ve been sexually assaulted and read more here if you commit acts of violence).

Visit www.agressionsexuelle.com (french)