Safety Tips for you
- Use open and honest communication
- Limit alcohol and know your limits
- Get consent for any and all sexual activity
- Be informed – most of the time people are hurt by someone they know and trust
- Respect “no”
- Stick together – make sure everyone gets home safely
- Challenge victim-blaming:
“It’s never the victim’s fault.”
“No one asks to be raped.”
“It doesn’t matter what you wear, where you went or what you did.”
Safety Tips for Communities
- Recognize sexually aggressive and violent behavior and intervene
- Talk about safety – invite PAAR to speak at you school, church or community organization.
- Speak out against gender stereotypes and promote equality
- Volunteer at PAAR
- Challenge sexist jokes, rumors, comments and emails
- Call or write politicians to support programs working to stop sexual violence
- Promote a safe and respectful community
- Ask your library to host an internet safety class.
- Believe and support survivors of sexual violence
- Support PAAR’s work and donate to the cause or have a fundraiser.
If someone you love has been hurt…
“I’m sorry that happened to you. It’s not your fault.”
“I believe you.
I’m really glad
you told me.”
“What can I do
to help?”
“Let’s call PAAR together –
1-866-END-RAPE”
Effects of Sexual Abuse
- Feeling nothing
- Feeling overwhelmed or out-of-control
- Depression
- Exploding with anger suddenly
- Feeling anxious or restless
- Having panic attacks
- Having fears and phobias
- Acting compulsively to deal with feelings
- “Body memories”—feelings in your body like you did during the abuse
- Drug and alcohol abuse, addiction
- Self-destructive behavior and self-injury
- Suicidal thoughts, feelings, actions
- Problems with food or eating, such as under-eating or overeating
- Physical intimacy issues
- Ignoring health concerns
- Difficulties with trust
- Difficulties with intimacy
- Confusing affection, love, sex
- Confusion about personal wants, needs, feelings
- Difficulty trusting one’s self
- Low self-esteem
- Spacing out / zoning out
- Losing time
- Feeling numb
- Feeling of disconnection from your body or parts of your body