Sexual Assault - It is NOT your fault.

The Way Forward

Sexual Assault – It’s NOT your fault.

Sexual Assault comes in many forms and unfortunately affects too many people at some point during their lifetime *: 1 in 4 women

1 in 6 children

1 in 18 men

Experience some form of sexual abuse from rape through to online grooming and workplace harassment.

I am blessed to sit down with 3 health professionals from the Derbyshire SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre). Emily, Claire and Hannah are here to make sure that nobody feels alone, in fear or helpless in the aftermath of a sexual assault.

One of the biggest challenges for victims is that they often feel ashamed or some guilt around what has happened to them. These three women assure me that the message here is clear: Sexual Assault is NOT your fault – ever.

We need to open up the conversation on:

• What types of sexual assaults are there?

• When or where could this happen?

• How you may be feeling if this has happened to you?

• How someone you know may feel if it has happened to them

• What to do if you have been sexually assaulted (recently or years in the past)

• Where you can get support and what that support looks like

• Why choice is your number one weapon in re-empowering.

• How are services accessible and inclusive?

• Where police involvement factors – if at all.

So please, I urge you – however hard you may think the discussion of sexual assault may be – the reality of living with it and doing nothing about it is a million times harder and more damaging long term.

Look at those statistics again – chances are if you haven’t been sexually assaulted, someone you know may have been. The only way we start to reduce the occurrences of sexual assault and improve the likelihood a victim accesses support is to usualise the conversation around it. No stigma, no shame, no fear – just honest, practical, and empowering conversation.

A huge thank you to SARC’s up and down the country who are leading the way in supporting those who have been affected by sexual assault – these organisations and all of their staff are leading the way in ensuring that sexual assault is not a taboo subject and that there is real help available whenever and wherever you need it.

With Love and Empowerment

X Fliss X

Derbyshire SARC: https://millfieldhousesarc.co.uk/

NHS Helpful Information https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/sexual-health/help-after-rape-and-sexual-assault/

Find Fliss and more Emotional Empowerment over at www.codesignwithfliss.com

Or connect on Socials.

Instagram @codesignwithfliss.com

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Statistics from Rape Crisis England and Wales * www.rapecrisis.org.uk