KALMers, recent incidences of sexual harassment have gotten a lot of attention. The lack of legal protection for victims of sexual harassment, even stigma and discrimination, makes victims reluctant to seek help. Instead of getting the help they need, the victim suffers the trauma and shame due to lack of support from those around them.
So what is the impact of this situation and how can we help those who are victims of sexual harassment? Let’s educate ourselves more about this topic through this article!
Read more: When We Experience Sexual Harassment or Sexual Assault, Sex Offenders Don’t Deserve the Spotlight, and You Say You Love Me: Abuse in Relationship
Impact of Sexual Harassment on Victims
The impact of sexual violence goes far beyond physical injury. Victims of rape or sexual assault may experience feelings of fear, shame, and isolation as a result of their trauma. Not only that, the trauma from flashbacks of unpleasant memories and being haunted by nightmares is also a long-term impact that can occur. The world no longer appears to be a safe place for the victims. They don’t trust anyone anymore, including themselves. They may also blame themselves or believe they are “dirty” as a result of what happened. It is not impossible for them to develop PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
How You Help Them
Most survivors of sexual harassment will share their unpleasant experience with at least one person, usually a friend. You may not be able to save your friend or solve the problem. However, your encouragement may impact their recovery process.
1. Create Safe Place
One of the most crucial aspects of helping sexual harassment victims is assisting them in establishing a sense of physical and emotional security. Ask them what will make them feel safe and how you can help them.
2. Listen and Support
No one is ready when a friend tells you they have been the victim of sexual harassment. You may not be able to address their issues, but you can provide support. Support and understanding are very important to them. It takes a lot of courage for a survivor to share their experience, so try to provide a safe/non-judgmental environment, emotional comfort, and support for survivors to express their feelings.
3. Believe in Their Stories
The fear that people will not believe them is the most common reason victims choose not to tell anyone about their sexual harassment experience. So when someone tells you, it’s because they believe in you. In exchange, please believe and listen to their stories as well.
Remove questions like, “How come?” from the conversation. Your job is to support them. Be aware of misinterpreting calm as an indication that the incident isn’t actually happening or that they’re lying. Traumatic situations affect everyone in different ways. Acceptance and attention are the best things you can provide for them.
4. Tell Them it’s Not Their Fault
Victims may blame themselves for what happened, make sure they know that it was not their fault. Sexual harassment is never the fault of the victim or survivor. No one wants to be sexually harassed, regardless of what they’re wearing, saying, or doing. The offender is the one to blame.
5. Suggest Professional Help
Keep in mind that you’re not alone. If you become overwhelmed when assisting your friend, you can encourage them to get help from a mental health expert due to the psychological impact caused by their experience. Counseling and mental health treatment may be beneficial for them.
KALM’s Kalmselor is available to assist you and/or those closest to you in coping with the emotional and psychological impacts of sexual harassment. Check the Kalmselor list at https://get-kalm.com/en/counselor-list/ to choose who you want to do counseling with. Then download the KALM application via the following link (here) to start your counseling!
Written by: Rachma Fitria
Psychologically Reviewed by: Karina Negara
Edited by: Cut Maghfirah F
References:
The University of New Hampshire Sexual Harassment & Rape Prevention Program. (n.d). Helping a friend. https://www.unh.edu/sharpp/helping-friend
Smith, M., Segal, J. (2021, November). Recovering from rape and sexual trauma. HelpGuide. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/recovering-from-rape-and-sexual-trauma.htm
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