A/n: In this Let's Talk, I'm going to be talking about the effects of what happens after a sexual assault, and I will be providing resources below to help those who are victims, this is going to be a very hard topic to talk about, and this may be triggering to some people, so if you can't read this, I understand.

It can be hard to know what to do after a sexual assault, you may feel you may not know what to do, or how you feel, or what your options are. To anybody who is a victim of sexual assault, please know that you are not alone. And please know that it is not your fault. Something happened to you that you didn't want to happen—and that's not OK. There is nothing you did or did not do that caused this to happen.

There are many resources you can use to get help, one of those resources is the Safe Helpline they can help you get the information and support that you need to heal. But, If you are in immediate danger or need immediate medical care, call 911 or contact military law enforcement.

Sexual Assault can leave long term effects on the victim. Sexual violence can have psychological, emotional, and physical effects. These effects can be difficult, and survivors may experience them at different points in their lives. But, with the right help and support, these effects can be managed, and you can go on to lead a healthy and fulfilling life. It is important to remember that recovery from sexual assault is possible. Some of these effects may be caused by the brain's biological responses to traumatic events.

According to the Safe Helpline, there is no universal reaction to trauma and victims may experience different emotions and reactions after the assault. Please keep in mind that there no "right" reaction to trauma, because everyone reacts differently. Some victims of assault may experience some of the following...

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Self-Harm

Suicide

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Sleep Disorders

Eating Disorders

Substance Abuse

Depression

Here are some resources and some safety tips for victims...

Your safety is important. Are you in a safe place? If you're not feeling safe, consider reaching out to someone you trust for support. You can contact the Safe Helpline to discuss safety planning and some options including Military and Civilian Protection Orders that may be available to you to help keep you safe. You don't have to go through this alone.

Consider seeking medical care as soon as possible. After experiencing a sexual assault, you may be feeling disoriented, confused, or unsure of how you want to proceed. Seeking medical care may not feel like a priority, especially if you do not have any visible physical injuries. However, it can be helpful to assess less visible injuries, as well as any risk of sexually transmitted disease or pregnancy. Time can also be a factor if you'd like to ask healthcare personnel to conduct a sexual assault forensic examination (SAFE) to save evidence for a potential future investigation or if you suspect you have been drugged. It is important to know that even if you have not decided if you want to report to law enforcement or not, you can still get medical care as well as have forensic evidence collected and stored anonymously until you decide.

Call the DoD Safe Helpline. If you aren't sure of what to do or just want to talk to someone, you can reach out to the Safe Helpline. You'll be connected to a trained staff member that can provide support, walk you through your options, and when you're ready, connect you directly with local resources.

 I understand that it can be hard to speak to someone about what happened to you, but your voice deserves to be heard, and there are people that can help you if you let them. It is not your fault, and you do not deserve to go through this alone, we're here for you, and everyone is here to help you.