How to Support a Sexual Assault Survivor When a Major Case Is All Over the News
When a major sexual assault case dominates the news, someone you care about may suddenly become quieter, angrier, more anxious, or begin talking about something that happened years ago. The most helpful response is usually not to investigate, fix, or push for action. It is to listen, believe them, respect their choices, and help them regain a sense of control.
Can EMDR Help After Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault can remain emotionally and physically present long after the event itself. EMDR is one of the trauma-focused psychotherapies strongly recommended for PTSD and may help survivors process distressing memories, body responses, shame, fear, and trauma-related beliefs without requiring repeated detailed retelling of everything that happened.
Can ART Help After Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault can remain emotionally present long after the event itself—through intrusive images, body reactions, shame, self-blame, nightmares, or triggers. Accelerated Resolution Therapy may offer a focused way to work with those responses without requiring extensive verbal retelling of everything that happened.