[SPECIAL GUEST] Supporting Survivors (trigger warning: sexual assault)

In January we discussed the topic of consent, what it is, what it looks like and how to get it. This month, in accordance with Sexual Assault Awareness month, we’ll be talking about what it’s like when consent doesn’t enter the picture.

Everyone who is sexually assaulted will experience it differently, but there are some feelings that are unfortunately far too common.  Many experience feelings of guilt and shame, largely because of a culture of victim blaming in our society, which may prevent them from seeking out support from their friends, family or from health professionals.

The aim of this Infobus session is to give survivors a safe space to discuss their own personal experiences, the feelings that came after and what happens next. We also want to give people who haven’t experienced sexual assault an opportunity to learn more about how to support survivors.

To help us do this, Karin and Jenny, counsellors from the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) in Perth, an organisation that provides support to survivors of sexual assault, and Sex Assault Squad (SAS) detectives of the Western Australian Police will be with us on the night.  They will also be helping us to find out what options there are in getting help after sexual assault.

No matter what the circumstances were around your assault, I want to stress that we believe you, what you’re feeling is valid and you deserve to have support.

Join us on Thursday the 21st April, 9pm AEST as we come together to talk about the experience of being a survivor, how to go about seeking support and and how family and friends can best support survivors of sexual assault.

If this post has been in any way triggering for you, I really encourage you to contact 1800 RESPECT. A full list of sexual assault related support services can be found here.