Media And Sexual Abuse: How Survivors Can Protect Themselves
Sexual abuse often has profound impacts on survivors, affecting many aspects of daily life—including physical and mental health. Sexual abuse can stay with someone for years and cause challenges with trust, relationships, and well-being. If you or someone you love has experienced sexual abuse, consuming online media, TV, or news stories that discuss this topic or similar themes can be triggering. Having tips on hand to protect yourself as you use the internet or consume other types of media may help you avoid potential resulting mental health crises or difficult emotions.
The impacts of sexual abuse on survivors
Sexual abuse is one of the most impactful types of trauma and one of the most common, especially for those who identify as women. According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), an advocacy organization for sexual assault survivor support, an American is sexually assaulted in some way every 68 seconds. Sexual assault can include sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual touch, rape, incest, and other forceful or coercive sexual or suggestive acts. According to RAINN, one in six young women are survivors of rape, and one in 33 men are male survivors of rape. In addition, over 63,000 children annually are sexually abused.
Sexual abuse and sexual violence can lead to many mental health challenges. Some of the most common diagnoses in survivors are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Both conditions can cause symptoms like avoidance, hypersensitivity, and signs of reliving or remembering the trauma. For this reason, survivors may be hypersensitive to media involving sexual abuse topics—although this may also be the cases even in those who do not have a diagnosable disorder related to their trauma.
How media can be triggering to survivors of sexual abuse
According to RAINN, the media can be both important and detrimental to the healing of sexual abuse survivors. In some cases, the media spreads awareness about this topic, which can increase the number of people who understand that resources are available. These stories may also reduce the stigma about seeking help.
However, the media can also be triggering, reminding survivors of their worst moments and causing fear when using social media platforms or engaging with other types of content. Some people may experience flashbacks, anxiety, panic attacks, sadness, irritability, depression, anger, rage, and other responses to seeing this media. Even if the content supports healing and growth, the mention of the topic alone can be enough to cause symptoms for someone. For this reason, having a way to regulate and control your media usage to protect yourself may be beneficial.
Tips for survivors on consuming content
Below are tips inspired by information shared by RAINN. They’re designed to help sexual assault survivors take control of their media usage and consumption and reduce triggers.
Check the trigger warnings before consuming media
Before you watch television shows, videos, or movies, you can look up the title on sites like Does the Dog Die. Resources like this list all the trigger warnings and potentially disturbing themes that come up in these forms of media, including whether sexual abuse or assault occurs or is talked about. By checking beforehand, you may prevent yourself from seeing scenes that could trigger you to have a flashback or experience other unwanted symptoms or memories.
Only using the rating of a film may not be enough, as many films that are rated PG-13 may include mentions of sex, abuse, and other topics like these. You can also check for trigger warnings at the top of articles, at the beginning of podcasts, and on social media posts.
Avoid crime documentaries, news, and other forms of media that frequently involve sexual abuse cases
Certain types of media may be more likely to involve sexual abuse storylines or reports than others, such as crime documentaries, news channels and other media coverage, explicit music albums, and social media accounts dedicated to abuse or human rights. News reports and other content related to these stories are often dramatized or otherwise consistently depicted in ways that may be harmful, such as by relying on stigmatizing social norms and gender norms. While you’re working through your trauma, you might consider avoiding media representations of real sexual violence stories altogether, unfollowing accounts that post about them on social media, and not listening to any explicit music.
Set boundaries on social media surrounding sexual assault content
You control how you use your social media accounts. You can set boundaries online by unfollowing or blocking people who post about topics you aren’t comfortable with or people who make uncomfortable jokes. You can also report offensive videos while scrolling on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Some platforms also have a button similar to “Don’t show me content like this,” which may help prevent you from seeing more videos or posts about that topic in the future. You might also avoid reading the comment sections on posts about being sexually assaulted and other sensitive issues, as you may see comments that are triggering to you.
Only follow people you know or trust
You can also set boundaries on social media by only following those you trust or know personally. You can keep your profile small and not public, ensuring only people you know can see your posts and stories. You can also ask close friends to hide you from posts they may make on specific topics—though this may not be a guarantee, as you can’t control other people’s online behavior. Instead, you might try your best to follow positive accounts that promote joy, healing, and health.
Practice internet safety
Practicing internet safety may help prevent you from coming across content that could be triggering. To do so, only use websites you know and understand how to use. In addition, you can put safety filters on some sites, such as X (formerly Twitter) and Tumblr, to prevent adult content from popping up.
Work with a therapist to discuss sexual assault or child sexual abuse
Avoiding content that could be triggering to you can be helpful in the short term. Still, triggers may continue to pop up in your environment and media despite efforts to avoid them, especially because these can be individual to each person and may involve topics or elements that can’t be easily filtered out online or in other media. Talking to a therapist is one way to work to regulate your emotions, learn to cope with triggers, and find ways to heal the trauma you experienced. You’re not alone, and a therapist can be helpful as you work through what happened.
The risks of consuming media made by other survivors of sexual assault or child sexual abuse
Other survivors may share their stories about sexual abuse online to raise awareness and fight for injury prevention and prevention of sexual abuse, which can be inspiring and may provide a sense of community. However, watching these stories or interacting with other survivors can also bring up memories of your own abuse.
Be cautious about how much you share about your own experiences as well. Although offering support to others who have shared their stories or asked for help can be healing and drive public awareness, it can also lead to anxiety or recurring memories or dreams.
Outside of emotional distress, there may be a risk of retraumatizing yourself by interacting too closely with someone else’s trauma. Witnessing or hearing about the trauma of someone else during your healing process can be traumatizing. This phenomenon is known as vicarious trauma, which might be more common in survivors who have already experienced trauma.
You can decide when or if you share your story
You’re in control of how you share your story online and whether you share it at all. Some survivors find that talking about what happened to them and receiving support from the community online can be helpful and healing. However, you might first consider the following questions before you post:
- How would you react if you received negative comments or bullying from others after posting?
- How would you feel if no one saw or reacted to what you posted?
- How would you feel if people online didn’t believe your story?
- What would happen if the perpetrator of your abuse saw what you posted? Would you be safe?
- Is posting about your story helpful to you personally?
- Could legal issues come from you talking about your experience publicly?
- Is there a way you could find community and support offline?
- Would you rather share your story in a support group for survivors or with a therapist?
The above questions may help you think of scenarios that could occur when sharing what happened to you online. If you’re posting on a non-public page, others may be unlikely to see what you say. However, trusting others online can be difficult, and someone could still take screenshots or record your post, potentially sending it to others or posting it elsewhere. Remember that what you post online stays online.
How to be thoughtful of survivors when sharing on social media
If you’re not a survivor of sexual assault but want to be mindful of those who are, you can consider the following posting guidelines when sharing media:
- Provide a trigger warning at the top of any post containing content that mentions or shows sexual abuse
- Use abbreviations like “SA” for sexual abuse/assault and “CHSA” for childhood sexual abuse/assault
- Don’t share extremely graphic photos, videos, or songs that mention sexual abuse or other forms of trauma
- If you have a page dedicated to crime or any other topics of this nature, specify in the biography of the account that you may post triggering content
- Ask people before sending them media that might be sensitive over direct message
- Avoid jokes about sex, abuse, and trauma when posting
- Avoid absolute statements like, “All survivors are cowards if they don’t talk about this” or “You need to speak up about your abuse”
- Be empathetic when someone asks you to use a trigger warning
Mental health support options
Sexual abuse is a complex topic, and many people who have been through this experience live with mental health challenges like stress, anxiety, depression, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder. If you’re struggling to cope with triggers in the media, you might benefit from talking to a therapist. If you face barriers to care or would prefer a more convenient mode of treatment, you might try therapy online through a platform like BetterHelp.
Online therapy can be more convenient because you can attend sessions from home via phone, video, or live chat. In addition, you can make your preferences for therapy known immediately when you sign up, like specifying if you’d like a therapist who has experience treating trauma-related challenges. Studies also suggest the effectiveness of online therapy for conditions like PTSD. For example, one study indicates that online therapy may often be as effective as in-person options in treating this condition.
Takeaway
If you’ve experienced sexual abuse, you’re not alone. Taking steps to protect yourself online may help you on your healing journey. For more tailored support and compassionate guidance, consider reaching out to a therapist online or in your area.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about media and sexual abuse.
What are three ways to prevent sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse and violence prevention often start with education and influence, especially with vulnerable children and teens. Parents can talk to their children and teenagers about the various forms of sexual abuse that exist and the many instances that can be dangerous to them and others. Don’t only talk to young girls about how to protect themselves from sexual abuse. Parents should also talk to their sons about how to treat young women, as men are more frequently perpetrators of abuse. However, parents can also talk to boys about how to protect themselves and discuss the influence of peers and stereotypes on behavior.
Regardless of age, two other ways to prevent sexual abuse are to be vocal about sexual violence awareness and share accurate representation of the current statistics on sexual violence and abuse. You can also prevent sexual violence by speaking up when you notice something happening in the general public. If someone looks uncomfortable or doesn’t seem to know someone they’re with, walk up and ask if you can help them. If someone acts like they know you, even if they’re a stranger, play along and help them get to a safe location. Even one person can make a difference in preventing the extent of sexual violence in society.
How is sexual violence portrayed in the media?
Media reporting of sexual violence can not always be accurate or reflect the extent of these crimes. Often, crimes are only reported in the media in severe cases. However, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) shows that over 50% of all women have experienced sexual violence at least once in their lives. As such a prevalent problem, more media outreach exploring sexual assault prevention options and additional resources may influence social norms positively in providing more support to sexual assault survivors. Journalists have significant power in changing perceptions about sexual assault.
How do you overcome sexual trauma?
Sexual trauma can have profound impacts on mental and physical health. If you’ve experienced this type of trauma, you’re not alone. A few support options include the Domestic Violence Hotline, RAINN, support groups, the National Association on Mental Illness (NAMI), and local or online therapists. A trauma-informed therapist can be a helpful long-term support option as you work through what happened to you. You might also consider online support groups, forums, or social media groups to talk to others who have similar experiences.
What are three actions people can take to protect their sexual health?
Below are three actions you can take to protect your sexual health:
- Use protection when having sex (condoms, dental dams, birth control medication, and other contraceptives)
- Get tested every six months and ask your sexual partners to do the same
- Abstain from sexual activities
What is the primary prevention of sexual abuse?
According to the University of Utah, the primary prevention of sexual abuse is education about sexual violence and prevention. When more people are aware of the warning signs of abuse, how to protect themselves, and how to stand up to others, more people can be protected from this form of abuse. Many misconceptions and myths about consent still exist, and challenging these myths publicly can help people receive support. For example, millions of people still believe that a spouse has a right to coerce their partner into sex simply because they are married. This form of sexual abuse is called marital rape and is common. Talking about consent in all scenarios can help people know their rights.
How does media affect your sexual behavior?
Many people learn about what’s normalized in life from social media and community influence. If people online normalize certain sexual behaviors, such as cat-calling, harassment, or non-consensual sex in marriage, these messages can spread to sensitive populations, like teenage boys, who may take on these behaviors and mimic them in their social circles. Media can also make sexual abuse lose its seriousness in conversation, especially if it is played off as a joke or made to look like survivors are frequently lying about what happened to them. When the media supports all survivors, sexual abuse prevention, and resources, more people can access help, and more people can be educated on the true impacts of their behavior.
How do you cope with SA triggers?
If you have triggers that remind you of your sexual assault (SA), you may try to avoid these situations, people, or items until you can talk to a therapist or support group about your experiences. Although avoidance may worsen your fear associated with these situations, it can be a helpful strategy while you’re still learning to protect yourself after an assault. A trauma-informed therapist can guide you in becoming more comfortable with your surroundings again and can assess you for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can often be successfully treated with time and symptom management options.
How can you help a survivor of SA?
To help a survivor of SA, be present. Don’t negate their experience, ask for details, or tell them they’re lying. In addition, respect their wishes to report the crime or not. Some people don’t want to seek help after abuse because they don’t want to face their abuser in court or have to face reminders of what happened to them. Instead, ask them how you can be there for them, remind them you’re not going to abandon them, and be the person you’d hope they’d be for you if you needed them. If they’ve just gone through a sexual abuse situation, accompany them to services if they’re open to them. For example, you might go with them for a rape kit at a local hospital or clinic or help them report the crime at the police station.
How do I become an advocate for SA survivors?
Many organizations advocate for sexual abuse awareness. Consider donating to these organizations, attending an event, or volunteering to support survivors. If you are a survivor, you might join a support group to offer encouragement and connect with others who have been through similar situations.
What should you say to someone who has been sexually assaulted?
Below are some statements you can use when someone opens up to you about their sexual assault:
- “I believe you.”
- “You’re safe with me.”
- “How can I help you through this?”
- “It’s not your fault; you didn’t deserve this.”
- “You’re not alone. I am here to listen and support you.”
- “Do you need help accessing resources?”
- “I can’t imagine how you must be feeling right now, but I’m here to support in any way I can.”
- “Do you want to talk about what happened?”
- “You deserved so much better.”
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