If someone has experienced sexual abuse or is in a domestic violence situation, I would offer the following advice:
Seek help and support: Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional.
Believe your feelings: Recognize that your emotions are valid and that it’s okay to feel scared, angry, or overwhelmed.
Prioritize safety: Create a safety plan, such as having a safe place to stay or keeping a spare set of keys and important documents with a trusted friend or family member.
Seek professional help: Consider therapy or counseling to work through your experiences and develop coping strategies.
Take back control: Remember that you are not responsible for the abuse and that you deserve to make decisions about your own life and body.
Practice self-care: Engage in activities that bring you comfort and help you relax, like exercise, meditation, or creative pursuits.
Know it’s not your fault: Remember that sexual abuse and domestic violence are never the victim’s fault, and that you did the best you could in the situation.
Consider reporting: If you feel comfortable, consider reporting the abuse to authorities, knowing that it can help protect others and bring about justice.
Seek supportive relationships: Surround yourself with people who believe and support you, and build a network of healthy, positive relationships.
Healing takes time: Recovery from trauma and abuse takes time, patience, and compassion. Be gentle with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way.
Remember, leaving an abusive relationship or recovering from sexual abuse is a journey, and there are people and resources available to support you every step of the way.