[beth]

The real statisitics of rape and sexual assault are largely hidden because only a minority of victims report the occurrence to police authorites. Although many do seek counseling, there are countless others dealing with this societal problem on their own. Common emotional symptoms associated with abuse are anxiety, depression, PTSD, extreme guilt and profound rage.
As the resident Families Mental Health blogger and a practising psychologist, I have written a selection of articles on the long-term effects of sexual assault on the lives of the sufferer. You can read them here.
In coming articles I will also be addressing the anger associated with sexual assault and weighing up the pros and cons of confronting the perpertrator, either privately or through the court system.

[Alejandros Mommy]

Thank you for blogging about this Beth. As a survivor of sexual assult I can say that by sharing my story with others I have found that people open up about what has happend to them as well.

[beth]

Hi Lessly,
Thank you for starting the ball rolling. So many survivors spend years hiding what has happened to them, out of a false sense of guilt and a beleif that no-one will believe them. Even women may beliitle and condemn their own gender when it is clearly a crime, and not the fault of the victim no matter what the circumstances.
I hope that increased awareness will ultimately result in increased acceptance that it is not the victim's fault as well as a change in attitude by both sufferers themselves and the general public towards this often-hidden crime.

Originally Posted by Aiden&Alejandros Mommy

Thank you for blogging about this Beth. As a survivor of sexual assult I can say that by sharing my story with others I have found that people open up about what has happend to them as well.