TW: Feeling worse after sexual harassment
So yesterday I told people here I was sexually harassed and I'm damaged but I’m feeling worse today and I think it’s trauma coming back the harassment feels like I’ve been sexually assaulted again yea that’s just great my trauma won’t let me go anywhere and I’m fighting against it I can’t stop blaming myself for this crime can anyone please help me feel less uncomfortable
Hi @gmusicj
I was reading through your posts, what you have been through sounds really terrible. It is not ok at all that this person has been doing this to you, or that they have continued to harass you. Good on you for opening up about it, that can really hard to do. It makes sense that after sharing you are feeling crap again as it brings it all up for you. I know the community has already offered support and you have spoken to 1800 respect, but it might be good to see if you can connect to some support groups for people who have had the same traumatic experiences. Have you looked into anything like that before?
Just on a side note I added a trigger warning as this discussion might be upsetting for some people.
I’m just struggling still with the trauma I don’t understand why me why any child I intend to help but I have to help me before I can help them
Hey @gmusicj , moving and healing from trauma like that can be really tough - is it something that happened to you as a child, or is this something with another child?
I started getting physically sexually assaulted when I turned 18 and it continued
Hey @gmusicj, I am so incredibly sad to hear that you have gone through such a difficult and traumatic experience. It isn't fair that you had that happen to you, and you are incredibly brave to have been able to push through what has happened 
It sounds like this experience has really affected you, as it would anybody, and so I really want to prioritise and highlight that it's vital that you are able to speak to a professional about what happened. Our community is here to support you when you need it, but I think it would be safer for you to disclose this in more detail with a psychologist or other type of mental health worker. I wanted to double check if you have access to a psychologist or counsellor at the moment? I also know that you mentioned that 1800Respect was a helpful service for you, do you think it would be a good idea to call them tonight?
Hi @gmusicj , I'm so sorry to hear that happened to you. It's good to hear that you've spoken to a counsellor and a psychologist about it - as @Andrea-RO said, it sounds like it could be really helpful for you to have support from a mental health professional who is experienced in helping people heal after this kind of trauma. We have a list of services across Australia that you can access here.
How are you feeling today?
Class is helping distract me but I’m still dealing with my trauma and I’m planning to tell a second teacher
I am glad to hear that you have been able to find something to distract you @gmusicj. I hope that this distraction helped you to have a break and feel a bit better (even if it is just for a moment). It is great to hear that you are feeling comfortable enough to tell a second teacher. Hopefully they will be able to support you even more now while you need
Have you had a chance to look at the services that @Janine-RO posted? I would also like to echo that it would be a good idea to seek some additional support from a professional as they will be able to help you even further.
It is so great that you are open to reaching out for support. Do you still talk to your counsellor and psychologist? They might be able to help come up with some tools and strategies to help you get through moments like this.I don’t really have anyone to talk my NDIS coordinator is the only person who cares about my mental health and if my psychologist isn’t doing the right thing and she won’t talk to me about it the trauma gets worse and I can’t let it run my life
Hey @gmusicj - I'm so sorry to hear that past trauma is getting to you 
. From what I gather from your posts, it sounds like you have an NDIS coordinator and a psychologist. It's good that you have some professional supports in place.
Has your distress from the trauma gotten worse since COVID or?
No it just started getting worse like 3 or 4 days ago the trauma is getting worse
@gmusicj I'm sorry you're feeling the trauma you went through more. Trauma is funny like that, sometimes you don't think about it and other times it can weigh heavier than usual. It's hard riding that out - do you have any close people to you that you could lean on while you're feeling this way?
