Supporting survivors of sexual abuse also means supporting their mental health.
Nearly one in five women in the US have been raped in their lifetime, but only about a quarter of victims report to police. There is a local push to encourage sexual abuse survivors to come forward, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is recognized in April.
Creating the environment a survivor of sexual assault needs to feel supported in talking about their experience and reporting the attack must first and foremost account for their physical safety. But it also requires fully considering the survivor’s mental health and wellbeing.
Sexual Violence is a Local Problem
Florida Department of Law Enforcement data shows the rates of rape and forcible sex offenses in Duval County have both been notably higher than the statewide rates for many years. A recent news report highlighting Jacksonville’s beach communities says there have been 13 reported sexual assaults in Neptune Beach and 23 in Atlantic Beach in the last three years. 55 sexual batteries were reported in Jacksonville Beach since 2018, according to the report.
And sexual violence is not limited by factors like age. The 2019 Duval County Public Schools Youth Risk Behavior Survey found 9% of high school students who had dated in the prior year experienced sexual dating violence.
These local rates are behind the push to raise awareness, end sexual violence, and support survivors. That’s being done in part through an awareness campaign at the Beaches through the month of April. The campaign lets survivors know that they’re believed and encourages them to call the Women’s Center of Jacksonville’s 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline at 904-721-7273. This aligns with the nationwide purpose of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is to raise public awareness about sexual violence, educate communities on how to prevent it, and boost prevention efforts, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
Sexual Assault and Mental Health
Sexual violence in itself is a serious public health crisis. But sexual violence can have very real mental health consequences for survivors as well, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, which can be acute or something the survivor experiences for a long time. These could then ripple in other areas of the survivor’s life, like poor performance at work, isolation from friends and family, trouble focusing on tasks, and more.
Further compounding these mental health concerns is the fact that only 5 of every 1,000 rapists end up in prison. This means a survivor may live with a persistent fear for their safety, which can have significant mental health consequences.
Support Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Preventing sexual violence is not something that will happen overnight or in a silo. Research recommends a multi-faceted approach that includes creating allies and teaching skills to protect against violence, providing opportunities to empower women and girls, fostering environments that protect against violence, and supporting victims.
You can play a role in each of these steps on a personal level, and perhaps have the greatest impact when it comes to supporting victims.
The CDC says emotional health and connectedness are believed to help protect against the likelihood of victimization. You can support the emotional and mental health and well-being of your loved ones, simply by letting them know you support them and are here to help if there is ever a need.
If someone discloses to you that they’ve experienced sexual violence, it’s important to let the survivor know that you believe them, you support them, and what happened is not their fault. A survivor may feel as though they somehow invited the attack, or they may think they won’t be believed. For the benefit of their mental and emotional health, let them know what happened is the sole responsibility of the attacker and that you will help advocate for that survivor.
While you may ultimately be an important support for that survivor, understand your own limitations as well. There are many local and national organizations that run 24-hour helplines, including WCJ’s 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline at 904-721-7273 and the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE(4673).
Many of these helplines may be able to provide continued advocacy and support, but there are also local licensed mental health professionals who specialize in sexual abuse counseling, trauma counseling, and related areas. The Jax Therapy Network homepage includes a searchable database of sexual assault therapists near greater Jacksonville Florida.
Find therapists for sexual trauma. Search the Jax Therapy Network and find sexual abuse trauma therapy near you.
