After my sexual assault, I was in denial. I did not realize what happened to me was sexual assault but what I know is that something did not feel right. My body told me we were not okay, but my brain did not want to listen. It was not until March 25th, two months after the assault happened that I realized I was sexually assaulted. I started to cry uncontrollably. I knew what my body told me: that we weren’t in control and had no power. That feeling was one of the worst feelings I have ever had. After the realization, I read different accounts of survivors, and many of them expressed the same sentiment. I think sharing survivors’ stories is a way to empower others. Feeling empowered was not something I could just choose to feel again. I had to work at it. I felt empowered by listening to other survivors and learning more about a system that services perpetrators more than victims. Accepting that I may never get the justice I truly deserve, but it does not mean my life is over. It means my justice is empowering myself to live the life I want.
First and foremost, empowering survivors means believing them. It means acknowledging the validity of their experiences and affirming that they are not alone. Far too often, survivors face disbelief, victim-blaming, and skepticism when they come forward with their stories. Empowerment starts with listening without judgment, offering validation, and standing in solidarity with survivors as they navigate the complexities of their trauma. Empowering survivors also involves providing them with access to comprehensive support services. This includes trauma-informed therapy, medical care, legal advocacy, and crisis intervention. These resources not only aid in the healing process but also empower survivors to assert their rights, seek justice, and regain a sense of control over their lives. Additionally, creating survivor-centered spaces and communities where individuals can connect with others who have shared experiences can be incredibly empowering, fostering a sense of belonging and understanding. Empowering survivors requires challenging the societal norms and attitudes that perpetuate sexual violence. This means addressing toxic masculinity, rape culture, and victim-blaming attitudes that place the burden of responsibility on survivors rather than perpetrators. It involves educating communities about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships, and promoting bystander intervention to prevent instances of assault from occurring in the first place.
Furthermore, empowerment also entails advocating for systemic change. This includes supporting legislation that protects survivors’ rights, improves access to resources, and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions. It means holding institutions accountable for their response to sexual violence and ensuring that survivors are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion every step of the way. Ultimately, empowering sexual assault survivors is about restoring agency, autonomy, and dignity to those who have been harmed. It’s about fostering a culture of empathy, support, and accountability where survivors can thrive and reclaim their lives. By standing with survivors, amplifying their voices, and working towards a world free from sexual violence, we can create a society where every individual feels safe, valued, and empowered to live their truth.