Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

Q:

As a sexual assault survivor, I find all the recent allegations of sexual assault in the news really upsetting and triggering. What can I do to survive them?

A:

The last few years have been really hard, especially if you are a survivor or someone who falls under the marginalized identity structure. And goodness forbid you fall underneath both of these categories.

As a survivor, constantly seeing people against you and or not believing other people who share similar stories can be and probably has been really hard to stomach. Unfortunately, the trauma is being broadcast across all forms of social media and news outlets daily. It can be really hard to get away from it.

So, it's important to reduce your exposure. Opting to only use your phone for certain hours of the day can be helpful as well as restricting which apps you use. Constantly looking at all of that information can actually be retraumatizing, so it may be best to limit how much you allow yourself to see and hear.

Using your people is also really helpful. When I say "your people," I mean spending time with friends, family and people you feel support you. Also, if you have a therapist make sure to check in with them and let them know how you are feeling. Overall, be honest about the things you are struggling with so that everyone can support you as best they can.

Upping your self care and listening to your body can also be extremely helpful when you're dealing with triggering content in the media. Listen to your body when it tells you it's had enough, when it tells you to rest. As for self-care, that's typically really individual, but be sure to make time for it and do what works for you. That might include going for a walk, going to the movies, going to a comedy show, starting a new hobby, reading, coloring, going to the gym, eating one of your favorite foods, taking a nap, dancing, meditating or doing yoga.

The outside world can be really tough on survivors. Take care of yourself and keep that cup full. You are allowed to take breaks and take care of yourself.

Latest Sex Positions

View More Positions More Icon