Hey everyone!

I'm new to Reddit and have just joined this community. I have joined because I'm trying to see how survivors/victims of sexual assault/rape have carried on since their encounters, how they feel, what they think would help, share their stories, etc.

This is quite a broad question, I understand, and it may not be worded in the best way. If there is anyone who feels as though this is insensitive, I understand that very much and you have no obligation to take part in this. For those who do feel comfortable taking part, there are a few things I would like to know:

- What do you think would help you most after your encounter(s)?

- How have your encounters affected you and your life since?

- If they happened a while ago, what would you say have helped you get better?

- How would you like the people around you (e.g. friends/family) to respond when you tell them about your encounter(s)? (Would you like them to offer advice, just listen, just be there, hug you, offer to reach out for help for you, etc?)

You don't have to detail your encounters in any way unless you feel comfortable doing so. For anyone who does respond, please state in your response whether it would be ok for me to ask follow-up questions to you?

As previously stated, if you feel offended/triggered by the subject of this post, I understand and you can just ignore it. I am very aware of the fact that this is a highly sensitive topic about people's lives and that talking about it can be extremely difficult and even harmful, so please only respond if you feel okay about doing so.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Christian

If you readed my previous POST , you know a Lot of my story. I made that POST mainly to give context to this.

Well, I been throught some sexual situations that was kinda traumatic to me, but I started to get off to rape stuff while It was happening to me. Even 4 years later, I still do It, and it progressed to a lesbian conversion kinky.

The guilty and shame are insane.

I feel disgusting and depraved. Make me feel confused and less of a lesbian. Anyone have been throught It? There is some kind of study about It? Is It possible to stop having This kinky?

I read about some SA victims developing hyper sexuality. My problem isn't exactly that. I dont wanna fuck or masturbate ALL the time, but I can only cum while Im seeing This shit

Not trying to justify any sexual assault but I feel porn is one of the leading factor for it, It increases someone's lust and desires for sex and the type of porn which is displayed mostly is unhealthy(rough, rape,g-rape etc)

Hello, I am putting together information for victims of human trafficking. I would REALLY appreciate if you guys can post any and all HT resources you have specifically in ohio. I have went through google but sometimes there are things that may not be as well known! It is even more helpful if you say what county it is in or if it is statewide. Thank you in advance.

Hi. Sorry if this is the wrong sub for this but know where else to ask. Im a trans writer doing my lore for writing dark phantasy. I am inspired by many dark phantasy like Berserk and A Song of Ice and Fire, but mostly from real world history and in many parts of the world is very horrible to live as a women. How ever SA is part of some characters background but I I dont feel good actually writing it. Can I just skip it and be vague about it or there are workarounds? I dont wanna trigger survivors or make people drop it because if it.

Is not like im mentioning it all the time, my work is more like a collection of stories in the same universe that take place in different time periods and some dont have it at all, but it will be important in some.

Thank you in advance.

Q; Do you think that your SA was a dominant factor in becoming openly gay/bi?

Answers will help me give better support and I may show the data to those I’m supporting. Please only answer if you turned gay/bi after being assaulted;

EDIT - All 3 of them are not totally confident in their sexuality. This is why I’ve asked, I have not suggested it could be because of their experience, they have! Removed the ‘LGB’ acronym because the Trans lovies were hijacking the post.

Current ratio of responses is 1:3

Are you interested in participating in an anonymous and voluntary research survey that could help improve health care for survivors of sexual trauma? This research project is looking at opinions and views on effective screening practices for survivors of sexual trauma in a healthcare setting.

You may be eligible to participate if you are:

1. 18 years or older
2. Were identified as a female at birth
3. Live in the United States of America
4. Currently not pregnant

This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. Once you have answered the survey questions you will have the option to enter a raffle for one of 10 $25 Amazon Gift Cards.

If you are interested in learning more, follow the link below:

https://westernu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6tDJ8GWoXwEbt8q

This study is approved by the WesternU IRB

Hi beautiful friends,

I recently started taking propranolol and it’s massively helped my PTSD symptoms.

I thought I’d share this interesting research in case it can help someone:

https://www.rug.nl/research/behavioural-cognitive-neurosciences/marvelousmind/additional-info/propranolol.pdf

I’ve also been in emdr which I’d really recommend.

Huge hugs friends ❤️

Hello!

I am currently seeking research participants to participate in an online study that seeks to understand the roles of protective factors in promoting recovery in sexual assault survivors.

Eligibility criteria:

-            18+ years of age

-            Experienced a sexual assault in the past 5 years

-            Experienced a sexual assault at age 14 years or older

-            Identify as a woman

-            Able to read and understand English

You can access the survey by visiting https://surveyuccs.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXe83shyM8aziHI. This survey has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at my University, as well as this subreddit’s moderators. The survey is estimated to take approximately 15 minutes. You will be entered to win one of ten $25 Amazon gift cards after completion of the study.

I'd hate to bring back old memories, but, I really really need help. My class is doing a 6 word memoir about modern day social reforms. And I really really think that S/A should be brought up more. It seems like a serious and very sensitive topic but it is important to know that it can happen to anyone. I've tried thinking really hard about a non-suggestive way to bring it up but I can't think of anything. I was hoping that I could get some help from people who have experienced it. I haven't experienced it, thankfully, but my brother did. And it haunts him terribly. So that is also why I wanted to bring it up. So please, if you are comfortable, help me think of one, or leave one in the comments or something. But it can't be too suggestive and it has to be 6 words, no more, no less.

Hello!

I am currently seeking research participants to participate in an online study that seeks to understand the roles of protective factors in promoting recovery in sexual assault survivors.

Eligibility criteria:

-            18+ years of age

-            Experienced a sexual assault in the past 5 years

-            Experienced a sexual assault at age 14 years or older

-            Identify as a woman

-            Able to read and understand English

You can access the survey by visiting https://surveyuccs.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXe83shyM8aziHI. This survey has been approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at my University, as well as this subreddit’s moderators. The survey is estimated to take approximately 15 minutes. You will be entered to win one of ten $25 Amazon gift cards after completion of the study.

Hello, r/sexualassault community! 

I am a graduate student in the Applied Social Psychology Program at the University of Windsor. I am currently working on my dissertation study, which explores different women's views on how female sexuality and bodies are portrayed in today's society. 

This study is completely online, and you can do it at your own pace! All successful completions will receive a $50 compensation!

I am looking for individuals who are: 

• Women or self-identified females
• At least 17 years of age
• Currently or have lived in the US and Canada for at least two years

To sign up, please take just 1 minute to complete this screener to be considered!

Click the link below today!

https://uwindsor.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_79XKyGc7SvgbJEW

Thank you for your interest and time! Feel free to DM this study account if you have any questions about this research and your role as a participant! 

Thank you in advance for your consideration to participate in this research! 

-----More information about this study for your reference-----

Supervision: This project is under the supervision of Dr. Charlene Senn, whose research focuses on women's sexual experiences (both wanted and unwanted). She advocates and uses a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach and is best known for developing evidence-based intervention programs to foster healthy and positive sexual experiences for women.

Study Purpose: My research delves into the complexity and nuances of diverse women's understanding of the concept of sexual empowerment and how it does or does not relate to their own and other women's lives.

Why YOU: To accurately capture what sexual empowerment means to different women, I am intentionally trying to reach women of diverse backgrounds, orientations, experience, and opinions to be included in my research! Your views are as important and valid as those typically occupying most of the space in the mainstream narratives about what and how women should feel, expereince, and express their sexuality and their female/feminine bodies if you are [any social and cultural identities you (don't) identify with].

I was on reddit a while back and I saw somebody claim that women who are taught that sexual assault is never the victim's fault (like in a university course or something) tend to have better mental health outcomes if/when they are victimized themselves later on. I'm designing an SA mental health education program for my public health course and I'm wondering if anyone knows about this research and can provide me the sources. Thanks!

Hello ✨

I'm currently conducting a study on the connection between gratitude, trauma, personal growth, and symptoms of PTSD for my master's thesis in Clinical Psychology ✨
If you're 18 years or older and have experienced a traumatic event (such as the loss of a loved one, a car crash, assault, or exposure to a war zone) in the last 12 months, you're eligible to participate.

Here is the link: https://psychodpt.fra1.qualtrics.com/.../SV_81X5CRDa1N8ddVc

The survey is expected to take approximately 10-15 minutes.
Please consider taking the survey and also sharing it with individuals who meet the criteria.
Your participation will contribute valuable insights to this research and help me with my master's thesis in Psychology.

Thank you so much!

Acquaintance rape, or rape committed by a man that the person knew or met already, is also referred to as “date rape” and “hidden rape” and is increasingly being recognised as a relatively common problem in society (Curtis, 2020). However, in a culture where false beliefs, or rape myths, are perpetuated to justify male sexual aggression against women (Lonsway & Fitzgerald, 1994; Ryan, 2019), victim-survivors may question whether their experience of acquaintance rape was rape (Adams-Curtis & Forbes, 2004; Warshaw, 1988).

I am a counsellor, who works with adults who have experienced sexual violence, and following the Sarah Everard case in 2021, I became aware of just how significant rape myths are in our society. Following the media interest surrounding the case, vigils and campaigns soon became lost in the rhetoric that women should change their behaviour to avoid stranger rape (Topping, 2021). Subsequently, some of my clients, who were sexually assaulted by an acquaintance, began to question the validity of their assault, as it was not as violent as stranger rape is perceived to be.

An acceptance of rape myths does not only affect a victim-survivor’s decision on whether to report their rape to the police but will also affect perpetrators’ behaviour, the behaviour of the police and the victim-survivor’s experience of the justice system (Persson & Dhingra, 2020; Temkin & Krahé, 2008; Warshaw, 1988). Burnett et al. (2009) agrees stating that not enough is being done to highlight the serious and wide-spread issue of acquaintance rape, arguing that rape culture is maintained through the silencing of victims. This is why I have designed my research to be one part of an action research project. I want the participants to be actively involved in the development of ideas for change. For example, changes to support services available to victim-survivors, the criminal justice system, or government policy.

If you a woman, who is 18+, living in the UK, and have had an unwanted sexual experience with a man that you knew, please follow the link and consider participating. The man must not be a partner or ex-partner.

https://leedsbeckettpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3vJl5n6eysV1eLA

​

To all the incredible people in this group, I just wanted to say that though I haven’t shared my story personally here, but it was something that I came across after what happened to me a few years ago. I understand that my following post may not be of interest to many of you, but I am currently a postgraduate psychology student in the UK, primarily focusing in Clinical Psychology. Though I could have chosen to focus my research on anything, I wanted to shed light on my experience after being sexually assaulted back in 2017 at university. At the time, it was one of the most harrowing experiences I could have ever gone through, and I think there’s so much narrative suggesting that if people like us could just go seek support or help then recovery just becomes a linear path. That wasn’t the case and even after trying to force my life back to normal, I experienced such adverse relationships and effects from alcohol especially in social occasions. I thought I was the only person having this type of experience, but over the years I met people who had gone through the same circumstances.

I’m currently conducting my postgraduate dissertation is researching the victim's experience after sexual assault. I plan to explore the emotional process that a person experiences; any possible support that an individual utilises; as well as any possible change in relationships towards alcohol and intoxication or similar actions/behaviour. I hope that this research shows the complexity of such an experience; to show that recovery is not so linear; and finally, to identify either where there is lack of support/identify the best stage of intervention for support for individuals such as yourself and for me. If there is anyone here that would be interested in engaging in this research and participating in an interview, then please get in touch either by messaging me or sending an email to the one provided below; it would be incredibly appreciated. The reason I chose this topic is by no means for grades, I solely wanted to heal a part of my inner younger self, and hopefully, tell the story that many of us go through. Sadly, due to being limited by time and word count, I am just focusing on women; however, I commend anyone who has come to this group and shared their own story. I am sorry to anyone that finds this at all insensitive, but I hope that many of you can understand the intent behind this research. Thank you.

Rb656@sussex.ac.uk

Is there a direct link between Assault and an Eating Disorder because my friends and I are victims and all have E.D’s

If you are a woman, living in the UK, 18+ and has had an unwanted sexual experience in the last ten years then please consider participating: https://leedsbeckettpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3vJl5n6eysV1eLA

#ItsNotOK

I'm a Counsellor and Psychotherapist, and a PhD student at Leeds Beckett University. My research is exploring how women view unwanted sexual experiences, with a particular focus on what has influenced their views.

If you would like to know more about the project, then please follow the anonymous link below. Here is all the information you will need to help you to decide whether you would like to take part.

https://leedsbeckettpsych.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3vJl5n6eysV1eLA

​

Hi, im currently creating a piece of art and i have been reaching out to women who have personal experiences with assault and/or harassment to get messages for the piece. If you are comfortable, i would appreciate it if you could fill out the form i have linked. There is more explanation about what the artwork is about on the form :)

Form

Hi all,

I am a doctoral student in a clinical psychology program in Northern California. I am looking for participants for my dissertation research study exploring the impact of #MeToo and social movements on the experiences, perceptions, and help-seeking behaviors of 1.5 and 2nd-generation Indian- American female survivors of sexual violence.

What will participation involve? Participation in this study will include a 1.5-hour interview that will be recorded and transcribed. The interview will be conducted via an online HIPAA-compliant conference platform such as Zoom, depending on the participant’s location.

How will this benefit the participant? Each participant in the study will be provided a $25 Amazon gift card as a token of appreciation for their time, interest, and willingness to participate in the study. Participation in this study may also help other women who have experienced sexual violence and the psychologists who work with them.

Who can participate? You are eligible to participate in the study if you meet the following criteria:

- 18+ years old
-Cisgender female survivor of sexual violence
-Identify as a 1.5 or 2nd-generation Indian-American woman
-Moved to the United States by the age of 10 (if 1.5 - generation)
-Has previously been in and/ or currently in individual therapy

If you are interested in being a participant in the study or have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly at [ssresearchstudy@gmail.com](mailto:ssresearchstudy@gmail.com). Thank you so much!

I appreciate there are complex emotions around such a sensitive topic, and that experiences are vastly different (such as who the attacker was in relation to you). But opinions from all sides are very much appreciated, if you are okay sharing. Considering the heinous nature of an incident of rape, and its potential long-term impact. If life imprisonment or capital punishment were introduced for those convicted beyond a doubt, would this make you less inclined to press charges?

Please only answer if you have direct experience. I know myself my answer would be different (harsher) about a loved one, that theirs might be toward their once close attacker (for example). Thanks for your time, I promise to do my best to make the answers count.

Hello! For a project in school with a theme of our choosing I chose something that is very close to my heart, especially as a survivor of SA myself. I made this survey to collect stories from anyone who is comfortable sharing their experiences. The survey is for an art project with the purpose of lifting the voices of those who’s been silenced and/or forgotten, those who has been through despicable things and survived. Everything in the survey is anonymous and will remain so. Here is the link to the form⬇️

Survey

I want to thank everyone in advance who answers the survey. it breaks my heart every time I read the answers but please remember It was never your fault and you are enough

Hi! I'm a podcaster working on a new project about sexual assault/harassment in the restaurant industry. I am looking for a total of 5 survivors to share their story (with protected identities if chosen). I experienced my first sexual assault as a waitress, and have wanted to dive into this for a long time. I have my master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and have a private practice providing therapy. I am hoping for the podcast to be out later in 2024. No special equipment needed to participate.

If you are interested, please send me a message. I will want to interview you (obviously) before we ever record anything formal for the podcast.