For Survivors

What's In a Word?

You will see the words “victim” and “survivor” used interchangeably throughout our website. We do so because individuals refer to the impact of the assault on them in different ways at different times during their healing process.

From Victim to Survivor

Accepting the fact that you were sexually abused as a child is a painful realization. This is the necessary first step in moving from victim to survivor. Denying, minimizing and practicing selective memory are a few of the methods used to protect us from pain-filled memories of childhood sexual abuse. Although these methods succeed in avoiding the pain for a time, they also hold back the healing process.

When you let go of these defense mechanisms and achieve acceptance, you make the transition to survivor. Even so, mixed emotions related to the abuse and the abuser often emerge. Feelings of hate, love, hurt and betrayal are very common. This range of feelings makes sense when you look at the relationship you as a child with the offender. The abuser may have been someone whom you care about and trusted or loved very much; yet, realizing what he/she has done to you creates the feelings of hate and hurt. Your trust was betrayed. Many survivors look back on the abuse as an adult and feel guilty and responsible for the abuse, which in turn stirs up feelings of shame and a sense of being dirty. Remember that you were a child. You were not, as a child, responsible for your abuse. The abuser is totally responsible.

Connecting Past and Present

It is important to make the connection between past abuse and some current problems you may be experiencing. Some of the problems survivors experience are difficulties in trusting others, self-destructive behavior, anger, low sense of self and difficulties with intimate relationships. You may recognize other indicators of being trapped in the past. Making the connection may suggest avenues of change that enable healing.

Healing

Healing is for the purpose of moving forward in our lives. It is not a single event but rather a process. Unlike when you were abused as a child, you now have total control of your healing process. You can define and direct your recovery, in your own time.

There are many resources you may choose to use throughout your process of healing. King County Sexual Assault Resource Center is one resource available to provide support and to share our ideas, knowledge, and referrals as you begin your journey. There is no charge for our services.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is provided to adults who have experienced the trauma of sexual assault in adulthood. The therapy provided is trauma specific, but can be related to a recent sexual assault or one that may have occurred years previous.

Group Therapy

Group therapy for female adult survivors of child sexual assault is provided 2-4 times per year. These structured, 14 week closed groups benefit adult women who continue to struggle with issues of past childhood sexual abuse. The group is designed for those who have specific memories of the abuse and can articulate the impact it has had on them throughout the years.

A Healing Celebration! Therapy Groups for Adult Women Survivors of Child Sexual Assault

KCSARC is offering a 13-week, structured, closed-end group for women 21 years of age and older who are survivors of child sexual assault. There is no fee for this service. An initial interview/assessment is required to ensure the compatibility of the group format with the survivor's clinical needs.

Groups run 2-3 times per year, and is lead by DeAnn Yamamoto M.A.

Next group starts in October 2010

When - Wednesdays evenings 6pm - 8pm

Where - Renton, Washington

Contact - DeAnn Yamamoto at 425.282.0349 or email DeAnn at dyamamoto@kcsarc.org

Fee - No Charge

24-Hour Resource Line

Every hour of the day, there is someone available. Our Resource Line Advocate Counselors help thousands of people. Confidential crisis intervention, information and referral, medical advocacy, and general advocacy is provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This vital resource is for anyone needing support or information regarding sexual assault.

24-Hour Sexual Assault Resource Line: 1.888.99.VOICE

Visit our Publications Page for more information.

PTSD

The National Center for PTSD has produced this fact sheet to answer common questions about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

You might also want to visit David Baldwin's Trauma Pages, a wonderful resource for information on trauma (not specific to sexual assault).

You're probably having a lot of emotions and changes in your life. Read More about some of the things you might be feeling or experiencing.

Individual Therapy

Children ages 4-18 who have been sexually assaulted may qualify for trauma specific individual therapy. Specialized sexual assault treatment benefits the child whose primary issues have arisen due to the trauma of sexual assault.

Medical Evaluations and Advocacy

KCSARC works in cooperation with Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress to provide forensic medical evaluations to children. Generally, medical evaluations are performed as requested by police, prosecutors or parents based on the type of abuse that is has occurred.