Reasons Women Postpone Reporting Rape
Many people wonder why women choose not to document sexual violence with the authorities immediately. Of course, it varies based on the circumstances, and the explanations can be complex, but here are a few motivations our Orlando therapists encounter with our own clients:
Women often don’t instantly recognize or label the experience as an act of sexual abuse. They may not even understand that what they have been through was sexual assault or rape. Often, survivors have problems even saying the word rape out loud, particularly about their circumstances, for years.
Women are often afraid people won't believe them either because the aggressor is in a situation of authority, is well-loved, or simply because they're a woman. Truthfully, the contemporary news process doesn't assist with this. Survivors of sexual cruelty are observing the news very intimately. They're also witnessing the responses of their friends, coworkers, peers, and families on social media. The survivor detects whenever somebody on social media believes that a survivor is trying to destroy a man's life or a politician claims that their associate shouldn't lose his position due to one error. When a friend or relative discusses the news cycle and shudders, saying, "Good thing it's all a matter of he said, she said," the survivor pays attention. They presume they will get treated the same if they notify you or come forward.
The systemic oppression of the voices and stories of victims of sexual assault is one of the single most damaging habits of mankind.
The survivor is worried she is to blame. Maybe she drank too much that night, initially eagerly committed to making out, or agreed to go someplace alone with the man, and she acknowledges she should have known better. Even if she realizes that her activities don't provide the man a right to hurt her, she may worry that others will consider something she did specified consent. For many years, our culture mistakenly presented the image that women should cover up or make clear choices to avoid giving the incorrect impression. So why is it acceptable for a man to attack a woman just because she's drunk, clothed in revealing attire, or let him pay for a date? The answer is that it's not, but women often believe that message to the point where they think they somehow invited or deserved the sexual assault.
The woman doesn't think she can emotionally handle it if her attacker is considered not guilty. This is a tough one because it's a reasonable worry. Entirely too often, rapists and attackers receive little or no consequences after victims make a report. This is often devastating to the person making the report. First, it's re-traumatizing to move forward with the reporting procedure. Then they are invalidated when their assailant is allowed to keep wandering around as if nothing happened or experiences very minimal impacts. Finally, the target believes reporting won't make a difference because it can't eradicate the trauma.
We can help.
If you or someone you love is struggling with the effects of sexual trauma, please reach out. We offer trauma therapy with CBT Therapists in Orlando and online throughout the state of Florida. Call today or send us your info and we’ll reach out for a free consultation to see if one of our therapists would be a good fit.
