Sexual Assault, Trauma and Recovery: The Psychological Impact and How Therapy Can Help

Content warning: this episode contains discussion of sexual assault, rape, trauma, disclosure, not being believed, and the impact of perpetrators not being prosecuted. Please listen in a way that feels safe for you. You may want to pause, take breaks, or listen with someone you trust.Sexual assault does not just affect the body. It can affect a woman's entire sense of safety, identity, trust and control. And for many survivors, the trauma is compounded not once but repeatedly: by a nervous system response that is misunderstood, by a disclosure that is not believed, and by a justice system that does not always deliver justice.In this episode, I cover the psychological and physical impact of sexual assault on women and young women, what the research tells us about rape trauma and PTSD, and why being dismissed or disbelieved after disclosure can become a trauma in itself. I also look at what happens when perpetrators are not prosecuted, and why that outcome, however painful, does not mean the assault did not happen.But this episode is also about healing. Recovery is possible, and there are evidence-based therapies that can help. I cover trauma-focused CBT, EMDR, compassion-focused therapy, grounding and stabilisation skills, and trauma-informed counselling, and what recovery can genuinely look like over time.If you are listening as a survivor, this is for you: it was not your fault. Your response at the time was your nervous system trying to survive. And you deserve support, belief, and a life beyond trauma.A note for male survivors: this episode focuses specifically on women's experiences. A dedicated episode covering the impact of sexual assault on men is planned for a future episode.To learn more about my work, explore resources, or stay up to date with future episodes, visit: 👉 https://wendycastelino.com/If this episode has affected you, please consider reaching out to a trusted person, a specialist service, your GP, or a qualified trauma therapist. You do not have to recover alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.