Victims of Sexual Abuse - Ways to take care of yourself

Last updated: 21 February 2008

1.

Get Support from friends and family.  Try to identify people ;you can trust to validate your feelings.  spend time with people who care about you and make you feel good about yourself.  Try not to isolate yourself.

2.

Talk about the assault and express feelings, you can choose when, where, and with whom.  You can also decide how much or how little to talk about

3.

Use stress reduction techniques.  Exercise like walking, running, cycling and swimming.  Try relaxation techniques like yoga, massage, music and or mediation

4.

Maintain a balanced diet and sleep cycle and avoid overusing caffeine, sugar, nicotine, alcohol or other drugs.

5.

Take some time to indulge yourself. Treat yourself to something, for example a new outfit, a day out or a new CD

6

Try reading.  Reading can be a relaxing, healing activity.  Try to find short periods of uninterrupted leisure reading time

7. Consider writing a diary or journal as a way of expressing thoughts and feelings
8. Release some of the hurt and anger in a healthy way.  Write a letter about how you feel and about what happened to you.  Be specific as you can.  You can also draw pictures about the anger or hurt you feel as a way of releasing the emotional pain.
9. Remember, you are safe, even if you don't feel it.  The assault is over. It may take longer than you'd like, but you will fee better.
10 Contact a support service. Support services are confidential; they will listen without judgement and help you move on.