1. Understanding and Healing from Sexual Trauma
Sexual Assault victims are
Lisa M. Leavitt Ph.D.
Victim Advocate
Brigham Young University
December 7, 2017

2. A Note on This Presentation
Trigger warning
Explicit language
Feel free to check out or step out
Many people may be reminded of past experiences or realize for the first time that something that happened to them could be considered sexual assault. If you start to have any kind of trauma reaction and need to look down, check your phone, or leave the room, feel free to use wisdom in taking care of yourself.

3. Outline What is Sexual trauma? Statistics on Sexual trauma. Consent.
Impact of Sexual trauma.
The Healing Process.
When, where and how should I report sexual trauma?

4. What is Sexual Trauma? Definitions can be confusing
Differ in the common language.
Differ according to state and federal laws.
Differ amongst survivors.
Legal definitions, and definitions commonly understood and used in the helping profession
Sexual violence, trauma and assault.
Rape.
Stalking.
Harassment.
Sexual abuse.

5. What is Sexual Trauma – Cont’d?
The terms “sexual violence” and “sexual trauma” are all- encompassing, non-legal terms that refer to crimes that have a sexual component such as sexual assault, rape, harassment, sexual abuse and stalking.
Sexual assault – legal definition
“any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient.”
This can include inappropriate and unwanted touching, forced sexual acts including sexual intercourse, sodomy, oral sex, and rape or attempted rape.

6. What is Sexual Trauma – Cont’d?
Rape
Rape is a form of sexual assault, but not all sexual assault is rape.
Rape is a legal definition to specifically include sexual penetration without consent. The FBI defines rape as “penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”
Harassment
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when submission to or rejection of this conduct explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment."
Stalking
Stalking is defined as "a course of conduct directed at a specific person that involves repeated (two or more occasions) visual or physical proximity, nonconsensual communication, or verbal, written, or implied threats, or a combination thereof, that would cause a reasonable person fear." 
Sexual abuse
Sexual assault or rape that happens in childhood, prior to age 18.

7. Sexual Assault Statistics
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) (2017) statistics, an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds. This statistic alone is incredibly alarming, but to define this more, other statistics suggest that:
A sexual assault occurs every 98 seconds in the US.
In the U.S., one in five women and one in 71 men will be sexually assaulted at some point in their life.
One in five women and one in 18 men are sexually assaulted while in college (National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2015).
The majority of sexual assault victims are under 30.
54 % of all assault victims are between years of age.

8. Consent What is consent?
Asking for consent is not only a sign of respect, it is required by law.
Any sexual activity without consent is sexual assault.
We need to change how we think about consent. 
The old idea of “no means no” is not a good approach. It puts the responsibility on one person to resist or accept, and makes consent about what a partner doesn’t want, instead of what they do want.
Using the phrase “yes means yes” is more empowering and useful in thinking about what consent is.

9. Consent Cont’d Consent is… It is not consent if… Enthusiastic
A clear yes
Freely given
Active and not assumed
Ongoing
It is not consent if…
A person is simply “giving in” or has been pressured
A person feels unsafe saying no
A person is drunk or high
One of the persons is underage.
One person is in a position of authority over the other person (for example, a teacher, a coach, a supervisor…).
Non-consent means Don’t start or STOP! Now!

10. Consent Cont’d How do I ask for, deny or give consent?
In a healthy relationship:
open and free communication – both verbally and non-verbally.
Respecting “no”, both non-verbal and verbal.
In a sexual assault, the opportunity to give consent is denied the survivor.
Neurobiology of Sexual trauma – victims are not able to say no.
Tonic immobility – rape paralysis
Much of the shame and self-blame survivors experience is centered around consent
“I didn’t say no, so it’s my fault”.
“I didn’t push him/her away”.
“I couldn’t stop it so I just let it happen so I could get it over with and get away”.

11. The Impact of Sexual Assault - Statistics
Research on sexual assault done by NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Research Center) (2015) found:
33% of women who are raped contemplate suicide.
13% of women who are raped attempt suicide.
Sexual Assault victims are 3.4 times more likely to use marijuana than the general public.
Sexual Assault victims are 6 times more likely to use cocaine than the general public.
Sexual Assault victims are 10 times more likely to use other major drugs than the general public.
38% of victims of sexual violence experience significant work or school problems.
37% experience a significant increase in family/friend problems, including more frequent arguments, not feeling able to trust their family/friends, or not feeling as close to them as before the crime.

12. The Impact of Sexual Assault Cont’d
Sexual assault is a personal, invasive and destructive crime.
Its effects can be psychological, emotional, and/or physical, and they may be brief in duration or last a very long time.
While there is not one "normal" reaction to sexual assault, there are some common effects that sexual assault victims may experience:
Sleep problems
Eating problems
Inability to regulate emotions
Depression and anxiety
Change in personality
Hypervigilance and fear
Phobias
Guilt, Shame, anger, embarrassment, mood swings
Inability to focus and concentrate
Flashbacks/triggers
Desire to move or ‘get away’
Disruptions in relationships
Physical symptoms
Inability to focus and concentrate or engage in daily activities
Spiritual problems

13. Survivor Quotes
“The world didn’t feel like a safe place anymore. I no longer trusted others, and I especially didn’t trust myself. I constantly questioned my judgment and worried about simple decisions, often putting them off altogether. I had very little to no feelings of self-worth, and most of the time I felt like I was crazy or insane. I couldn’t do simple things anymore. I constantly analyzed my behavior and blamed myself for what happened and saw myself as “dirty” or “damaged goods.” How could others, or God love me after what had happened? Relationships of any kind felt dangerous, intimacy both physical and emotional felt impossible. I felt anxious and was constantly looking over my shoulder. I couldn’t talk to those I loved and trusted the most. I was afraid, alone and it got to the point where I didn’t even want to leave the house.”
“Most of the time I feel like I am living a lie, going about my daily life as if everything is okay but internally I am screaming for help and barely hanging on and coping. I feel like at any moment I could explode”.

14. The Healing Process
1. Reframe what happened to you Reach out to someone you trust. Challenge your sense of helplessness and isolation. Assign responsibility where it belongs: on the perpetrator. 2. Prepare for flashbacks and upsetting memories To prevent the stress of flashbacks and upsetting memories: Try to anticipate and prepare for triggers. Pay attention to your body’s danger signals. Accept and reassure yourself that this is a flashback, not reality. Ground yourself in the present. Take immediate steps to self-soothe.

15. The Healing Process Cont’d
3. Reconnect to your body and feelings To recover after an assault, you need to reconnect to your body and feelings. Rhythmic movement (dance, yoga etc.). Mindfulness meditation. Return to familiar routines – exercise, eating etc. 4. Stay connected Stay connected to family and friends. Participate in social activities, take a friend if necessary. Reconnect with old friends. Make new friends.

16. The Healing Process Cont’d
5. Support healing by nurturing yourself Take time to rest and restore your body’s balance. Practice self-compassion. Be smart about media consumption. 5. Seek professional help Counseling. Support groups.

17. Reporting and Seeking help
Sexual trauma is the most unreported crime.
Why?
Victim blaming.
Survivors blame themselves – a form of protection.
Not being believed.
“He said, she said” crime – evidence is often not concrete.
Why does this matter?
Prevents public awareness and understanding of the scope of the problem.
Inhibits development of programs and availability of resources to help eliminate the problem.
Most importantly- drastically reduces access to help and healing opportunities for survivors.

18. Reporting and seeking help cont’d
“I am not sure I should be here, as I wasn’t actually raped or hurt” “I don’t want to waste your time as it isn’t as bad as some people” “I am not sure if I was assaulted” – worry that they did not say ‘no’ not sure of definitions their body responded and was aroused therefore it isn’t assault “I am probably overreacting to what happened” If what you experienced is in ANY WAY causing you distress on ANY LEVEL, it is important, it matters and it is a good idea to seek help.

19. Options for seeking help
Victim Advocate
Law enforcement
Report Vs. an investigation
Protective/no contact order
Title IX
Report vs. an investigation
Amnesty and leniency
Academic help
Rape Crisis Centers/hotlines
Counseling
CAPS
Outside resources
Office for Victims of Crime
Mostly financial help

20. Know Your confidential Resources!
Those who have confidentiality:
Victim Advocate on campus – Lisa Leavitt, Ph.D.
Counselors at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
Women’s Services and Resources.
Ecclesiastical leaders.
Rape Crisis Centers/Hotlines.
Lawyers.
Those who do not have Confidentiality:
Title IX office – will not share your information with anyone, but may have to take action in some circumstances.
Law Enforcement – including law enforcement advocates.
Professors and other university personnel – mandated reporters to Title IX.
Friends, roommates, family etc.

21. My Role as the Victim Advocate
To assist students who have experienced rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking or other interpersonal violence.
To provide support, guidance and information regarding university policies and procedures to help students make more informed choices regarding their situation.
Work one-on-one to connect students with resources both on and off campus and assist students in navigating the university system (Title IX), law enforcement system and the medical process should they choose to report. 
The advocate's sole purpose is to help ensure that students' needs are met.

22. Victim Advocate Cont’d
I am not part of the Title IX office.
Students who work with me as the Victim Advocate are not obligated to report to BYU or other law enforcement, the Honor Code Office, or to the BYU Title IX Office, or any other entity on campus.
The services I provide as The Victim Advocate are confidential.

23. So How can the Victim Advocate help?
NOT a counseling service, although crisis counseling is a part of the job.
Main purpose is to provide information and resources. This may include:
Safety issues:
Is the victim safe? Do they need protection from the perpetrator? No contact letter, protective order etc.
Medical attention:
Is immediate medical attention needed? (Possible STI’s, pregnancy, injury etc.)
Forensic exams; Pros and cons; Information on the process; Support through the process.
Reporting to law enforcement:
Pros and cons and possible consequences.
Finding the correct jurisdiction for reporting.
Support through the reporting process.
Help with academics:
Reporting to Title IX.
Support through Title IX reporting process.
Referral for counseling.
Referral to legal and justice system.
Addressing any other problems the victim may be experiencing.

24. My Contact Information -
Phone #:
Through CAPS – , and CAPS website.
Title IX website.
Through BYU police –
On call 24/7 through BYU police.

25. Resource List . On Campus: BYU Police 801-422-2222
Counseling and Psychological Services – (CAPS)
Title IX Office
Victim Advocate – Lisa Leavitt
Women’s Services and Resources –
Off campus:
Center for Women and Children in Crisis
Rape Crisis Hotline
Utah Department of Health Crisis Hotline