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What to do after a sexual assault
by audienta
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more What to do after a sexual assault If you're in danger, please call your local emergency line. TW: Sexual Assault What is sexual assault? Sexual assault is defined as sexual contact or behaviour that happens without explicit consent. Examples of sexual assault are: * Fondling or unwanted sexual touching * Non-consensual kissing * Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such as oral sex or penetrating the perpetrator’s body * Penetration of the victim’s body, also known as rape * Attempted rape What is explicit consent? The consent should be freely and clearly communicated. Also, it can be taken back at any point. You cannot give consent when you’re * incapacitated by drugs or alcohol * feeling pressured, threatened, or intimidated * under the legal age of consent What do I do right after experiencing sexual assault? * If you’re severely injured or in immediate danger, call your emergency line. * If you’re not in immediate danger but do not feel safe, consider calling someone you trust for support. * Know that what happened is not your fault. * If possible, call your local sexual assault hotline or a victim support center. * Go to a health care facility to receive medical attention and a sexual assault forensic exam, also known as “rape kit”. This has to be done within 72h and if possible, you should not go to the bathroom, shower, comb your hair, change your clothes, or clean up the area in which the assault has happened before you have done the exam. * Consider getting Post-Exposure-Prophylaxis, DoxyPEP, or the emergency contraceptive pill to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy depending on what you want and what your doctor recommends. * If you want to, report the assault. If you’re already getting medical attention, you can tell a medical professional that you want to report the assault. Otherwise, you can also call your local police department. What do I do afterwards? * Safety planning Brainstorm what you could do to stay safe and reduce the risk of future harm. Remember that it is not your fault that it happened though. * Therapy Working with a therapist might help with dealing with the challenges you might face after experiencing sexual assault. * Support group Dealing with the aftermath of a sexual assault is hard. But you’re not alone. In support groups you have the option to talk to other people with similar experiences. * Self-Care Making sure that our body and mind are well cared for can make such a difference. Focus on what helps you to feel grounded and safe. * Be careful with media consumption Portrayal of sexual violence in the media can be very triggering for sexual assault survivors. Remember that you don’t have to watch potentially triggering content. Pay attention to trigger or content warnings and read about the content before you watch it. How can 7 Cups help? 7 Cups can only support you while you’re not in crisis, which means, you can’t be actively self-harming, suicidal, in active danger, or planning on hurting someone while using 7 Cups. When you’re safe, this is what 7 Cups can offer: * 1-1 chats with trained listeners You can talk to our trained listeners 24/7. You can browse for listeners here [https://www.7cups.com/BrowseListeners/]. * Open and guided group support chats You can find the schedule of all trauma support discussions here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/trauma/General_2433/ScheduleDiscussionsoftheTraumaSubCommunity_302437/]. * Self-help guides There are different self-help guides available, including one about traumatic experiences. You find all of them here [https://www.7cups.com/supportGuides/selfHelpGuides.php].  * Online therapy 7 Cups offers online therapy for USD §39.75 per week. This includes daily messaging - the therapist responds 1-2 times a day from monday to friday. If you want to have weekly video sessions, this costs additional §55 per week. You can find more information about that here [https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy]. Resources After Sexual Assault | RAINN [https://rainn.org/after-sexual-assault] Recovering from Sexual Violence | RAINN [https://rainn.org/recovering-sexual-violence] Tips for Survivors on Consuming Media | RAINN [https://rainn.org/articles/tips-survivors-consuming-media] Self-Care After Trauma | RAINN [https://rainn.org/articles/self-care-after-trauma] Telling Loved Ones About Sexual Assault | RAINN [https://rainn.org/articles/telling-loved-ones-about-sexual-assault] Reporting to Law Enforcement | RAINN [https://rainn.org/articles/reporting-law-enforcement] Steps You Can Take After Sexual Assault | RAINN [https://rainn.org/articles/steps-you-can-take-after-sexual-assault] The Importance of DNA in Sexual Assault Cases | RAINN [https://rainn.org/articles/importance-dna-sexual-assault-cases] What Is a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam? | RAINN [https://rainn.org/articles/rape-kit] Sexual Assault | RAINN What Consent Looks Like | RAINN [https://rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent] What Is Sexual Assault? | Columbia Health [https://www.health.columbia.edu/content/what-sexual-assault#:~:text=Sexual%20assault%20can%20encompass%20a,committing%20the%20harm%20against%20them] Post-Exposure-Prophylaxis | WebMD [https://www.webmd.com/hiv-aids/post-exposure-prophylaxis] DoxyPEP Factsheet | Public Health LA [http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/chs/Docs/DoxyPEP_Factsheet_EN.pdf] Emergency Contraceptive Pill | NHS UK [https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/emergency-contraceptive-pill-morning-after-pill/what-is-it/#:~:text=The%20emergency%20contraceptive%20pill%2C%20sometimes,on%20the%20type%20of%20pill.]
Discussions of the Trauma Sub-Community Announcement Thread
by audienta
Last post
 1 day ago
...See more Hello everyone, In this thread, the discussions of the trauma sub-community will be announced by the hosts 24 hours in advance. After a session has happened, I'll remove the post so that the thread stays nice and clean. If you want to be tagged for future discussions, please comment or pm me and I'll add you to the list. You can find the schedule of the discussions here (clickable) [https://www.7cups.com/forum/TraumaticExperiencesCommunity_60/DissociationRelatedDisorders_2335/ScheduleDiscussionsaboutDissociativeDisorders_302437/]. If you need to convert the time into your time zone, click here (clickable) [https://rarelycharlie.github.io/7cupstime]. Please let me know if you have any questions! Take care, audienta (lastly updated: 6/13/2023)
Trauma Support Community Check-In for November 2024 - Veterans & Military Families Month
by audienta
Last post
 November 7th
...See more Hello everyone, welcome to this month's check-in! This month is Veterans & Military Families Month. (Source [https://www.militaryonesource.mil/media/toolkits/service-provider/national-veterans-military-families-month/#:~:text=Every%20November%2C%20Military%20OneSource%20honors,members%20of%20our%20military%20community.]) This month we want to appreciate the support that families of soldiers give them and the sacrifices that they make to be able to give this support. We also want to appreciate veterans for the work they have done. Being part of a military family as well as being a veteran can come with a lot of trauma so we want you to know that this community is here for you.  On a side note, we're currently working on a regular support chat for veterans, so if you're interested in that, please pm me. ------------------------- Trauma Support Community Check-In for November 2024 1) What is something that helps you to feel grounded when the world around you gets overwhelming? 2) What are some challenges you're anticipating this month? 3) What's a strength you've discovered in yourself or your family through difficult times? ------------------------- If you have a question you'd like me to ask at the next check-in, please let me know! Take care, audienta ------------------------- Source: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/parenting/family-life/military-family-appreciation/ [https://www.militaryonesource.mil/parenting/family-life/military-family-appreciation/] ------------------------- You can get added to or removed from the trauma support taglist here [https://www.7cups.com/forum/TraumaSupport_60/ampResources_2334/TraumaSupportAutomatedTaglist_219256/]. @0Some0where0I0BELONG0 @13irth @adaptableLake3534 @adequatelyInadequate @adventurousAcres9344 @adventurousBranch3786 @AffyAvo @AguaNector6700 @allYou @Amelia2324 @amiableBunny4016 @AshFox2007 @AstronomySkies @audienta @Avaray @BeautifulCreation999 @BeenAKiwi @bela12345 @BillyJoeBobb @blueScarf9326 @bouncyBreeze44 @BraveAdventurer @BrokenDreamsPalace @BrokenMedic @bubblegumPuppy68 @bumblebee2307 @Bunnylovesyou @CalmRosebud @CaptainTrev @carefulKitten1131 @CaringBrit @charmingSky5972 @Chrissy911666 @Claireolomi @clare7199 @Colorfulcatsofhope @communicativePond1728 @communicativeYard2325 @conicha @CoolBeans29 @coolvibes @Crakyz @creativeStrings1531 @crimsonLime6525 @crxxtvfl0w @cueball @cyanPlatypus6370 @DaniAleah156 @Dannc7c @DarkGalaxy55555 @daydreammemories @Deadtiredperson175 @delicatepunk @depressedsatellite1452 @diligentDime8651 @DinaElwy @domesticEmerald50s @Eitas @emotional232023 @emotionalTalker2260 @emylly @FallenAngel0128 @Feathersfall @FigureskatingEquestrian @Fireskye13 @Fleggles @fluien @forcefulFriend4768 @Gagaintheroom @gentleLand5245 @Ghxstie @goldenSpruce1512 @Grandmaof10 @Greenchoice1 @gregariousBeing5071 @Grits1910 @helpfulLion92 @hillsideblues @honestpanda81 @HonestWarrior6624 @HopeNChayil @HumanPersonThingy @Iamwhoiamwhoami @IceCream4IceCream @iloveyouxx @IndigoWhisper @InfinityandBeyond23 @inventiveOrange1313 @Itisbailey @jcqlinshots @Journey144 @jovialButterfly6752 @jr50 @Judy7 @jupitermatilde @JustSmilingThruHell @Kekesea11 @Kickiree @Kimmkimm @kindTurtle3738 @kittydragon771 @Kunoichi91Warrior @LightofWorld @LillithHolly @Lilly28 @lilmissjaded @lionsaether @littleHuman9247 @littleOtter1342 @LordFireStorm71 @lovehummingbirdsCindy @LovelyForever6990 @LovelyOrangeJuice @LoveMyMoonflowers @lowkeyem1001 @Lubo123 @Luchelle @lyricalAngel70 @Marigold357 @maya6548 @mcooper7583 @Meenagirl @Mellietronx @mish3l @MistyMagic @mkaitx @Mooglethefluffy @MunchieTaters @MVObserver @mytwistedsoul @navyMango2804 @neatBlueberry3608 @neonDog3649 @neonOwl3442 @NevaehRose @Nolanhm @NoneTheWiser @nonethewiser @notmyselftoday @Novelwriter @npos25 @oceancruiser48 @Oceanwaves16 @OffDutySeraph @OneErased @OneWithSugar @ottersngiggles @parkey @Parvlakin @PatienceImpatiens @pencilmarks @Petrichor2000 @Philowl @Pidgeymon @PinkestOctopus @politeBunny7572 @practicalIdeal2007 @purpleWheel873 @QuietLotus @rainbow3140 @Randomperson453 @RansviewTheWizard @raspberry563 @ReallyRuth @Rebekahwriter13 @Redhawk6547 @Redirecting @redmark @reliablePeach8464 @Rosa9570 @SafeSpace1776 @SapphireSoul @SarahAlaina15 @scarletPear1945 @selfdisciplinedTiger5523 @sensitiveShade5337 @ShapeshiftSystem @shellofashell @shiningDay80 @Silverviolets @sincereThinker3571 @sleepingd0gg0 @SmileSravani @SnippyHam @sofiamartino18 @SoftForestHSP77 @SoulSupporter102 @StarlightSystemDID @stickercollection @Storyhymns1234 @straightforwardSkies7721 @sugarcookies7 @Summer899 @SynSavory @Taylorz27 @tealOak8933 @teenytinyturtle @The0Vetoed0System @TheAutumnWitch @TheFisherKing @ThisIsLogan @ThreadbareThinker @Tinywhisper11 @TransparentPuzzle @turquoiseHemlock900 @Turtlegrrrl8 @u1146 @underapinetree @Understandingempath @UndomesticGoddess @unique73 @uniqueDaisy @veeceebee @Verysadperson101 @Vivikun9 @WarriorHeartsSystem @weepingwillow5489 @WelcomeToChat @wontwakewontsleep @WorkingitThrough2 @Worrior22Warrior @Writersworld @WriteToHeal42 @xandia @xmoonsie16x0
Introducing the "Trauma through War" Section
by audienta
Last post
 October 2nd
...See more Hello everyone, I got the feedback, that a "Trauma through War" section would be helpful, not only for veterans, but also for displaced people. So here it is - I hope, it can provide some comfort! If you have feedback yourself, please submit it through this form [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdapmwyDtEJXaINWF8wlOnPcVn09r4X3lCK8RT-ScL2Dx-MyA/viewform]or write me a pm. Take care, audienta
IQ v PTSD. Should IQ tests for students be compulsory at schools?
by Cclaro123
Last post
 August 31st
...See more This is an anonymous post, due to its content, a message from Europe. IQ v PTSD. Should IQ tests for students be compulsory at schools? I had my IQ confirmed at 142 somewhat by accident, in my fifties. I didn't consider it important to know or understand its impact, though I knew I could do things most people are not. Like, say, “the speed of learning”. I just dealt with it and the social problems that come with it. My psychologist, whom I saw only a few times for an unrelated issue at that time and had nothing to do with IQ dilemmas, put in front of me an IQ test (WAIS) one morning. I wasn't prepared, rather surprised. He supervised it to understand me better and my problem. I skipped the last question in the test after about 50 min, cause I was hungry and addicted to coffee and wanted to take off to Starbucks. He suggested I take another one later by another supervisor to see if I would cross over to the 150-plus-zone. I did not take another test, not yet, what should I do with that info. Enough is enough. But this was revealing, and very helpful, shame I didn't do it before. I came to understand and see a number of events in my life in a much clearer light, but late; writing and sending my first letter at age 4, picking up chess fast and beating adults, didn't understand my fellow student's sense of humor at primary, reading M. Bulkakov and Gabriel Marques in my teens and laughing. The list is long. I was fairly lucky with my parents, they were ok, middle-class, and I got the love a child needs, but unlucky with siblings. Kind of bullying I didn't realize until my adult years. I never got compliments, few from my parents, more like silent love and practical teaching, more or less got through childhood without trauma. I used to play down my intellect throughout my teens and well into my adult life, perhaps naturally, to fit in. When I suggested a solution to a problem I was sometimes asked “Who told you that?”, “where did you read that?”. I didn't believe that I was fluent in Spanish (not my mother tongue) in my twenties, I thought English was my 2nd language (not my mother tongue) when it wasn't, because I was more confident with that. Late in life, I came to understand that some of my achievements are pretty good, and on a scale of 1 to 10 I reckon I'm at say, 7-8, have what I need though my life is often empty. Low self-esteem is not rare among high intellects. I saw a psychologist 2nd time (when I took the supervised IQ test) cause of a PTSD from volunteering in a war zone in my twenties, such experience in addition to high IQ is a recipe for solitude. In the atmosphere of war one feels and realizes the senseless brutality that a human is capable of but also able to endure. It never goes away so the inevitable deal is to live with it. My teenage daughter told me I sometimes screamed in my sleep, I had no idea. But it never goes away cause part of it is like chemicals in one's brain, the body suddenly “warms up” if I'm triggered, even on a happy-go-lucky day. I don't watch war movies, unless with quality writing, which I can tell within a few minutes. Being aware of my high IQ helped me a lot cause I understood better than before, that it was not only by the PTSD when I got triggered of by a war-related event or memory, smell or sound, that I retreated, called in sick or kept silent if I was among people. There were days in my forties when I stayed “home-alone”, unbalanced and uncanny, I even at some point got the weird-scientists-haircut. Because sharing PTSD experiences and thoughts is in some ways like dealing with high IQ, social problems, not being sure of anything sometimes, and so and so. I reckon my mother had high IQ, she was not tested but she seems to have naturally but unbeknownst to her, passed on some tools, to me her son, to survive, that is to not backbit or hate, it's a total waste of energy, to respect and consider the weak, to reach out to the poor. It's tolerance and patience that really comes handy when you're crazy. And everyone else stupid. So I even look normal to my neighbors. But then it doesn't makes sense, that I didn't figure out with my high IQ, that it's important to know or understand the impact and the downside of high IQ. Too often the loneliness is unbearable.
Poem for Gaza
by nihallah
Last post
 August 31st
...See more How much we miss the sun between October and March But this year I didn’t even notice she was gone How could we complain? All we can say is thank god the sky gives us rain The sun came out today She hugged me like an old friend And said everything is okay It's quiet outside But she reminds me of the sun who shows her face all year Seasons aren’t marked by light and darkness But by the smell of strawberries and jasmine   Somehow the sound of wind turns to drones And the smell of pine turns to jasmine The sound of playing turns to screaming  The smell of strawberries turn to death  And the smell of soil turns to dust  Dust that used to smell like home Every brief moment of joy Every laugh and embrace I remember the nurses in Gaza Who asked we write on their graves  In bold script should say:  Here lie those who love life but could not find a way to live it  But its such a lovely day?  I am standing on this quiet mountain  Walking through a sea of noise Watching the couple have a picnic at the park  Laughing and tasting grapes  They remind me of those sunny days  Watermelon juice dripping down our sleeves Sticky sand and silly gossip Singing the words hashrab hashish Really, the sea is so lovely and so blue How much blood could there be?  Does it all wash away into the sea?  How lucky are we to live near such beautiful trees? But how much blood has watered these mountains and rivers of ___? I try to remember to thank god the sky gives us rain And thank god the rain gives us trees Like the date tree in your backyard  She was poisoned in 2018  You said “I will not pull out your roots” “The sun is all you need” And you sat at her feet inspecting her seeds And generation after generation of fruit grew and fell  Ramadan 2023 she said  “Next year you will see!” “Thank you for how you loved and nourished me”  “The sun and the seasons are all I need”  “In March 2024 you will come break your fast with me” I am so sorry habibti But the fruit these days are strange They have an awful smell  How much more blood can pour into the sea?  And how much more poison can suffocate the trees?  Hiking for hours on top of rocks and stones I think of the family walking 30 kilometers south Trekking for hours over rubble and ruin I think of the girl who carried her baby brother  And that same girl who walked alone I think of the boy who ran from snipers And the boy who fell to them I kick these rocks down the path As the pebbles fly and the dust settles I look for the child buried under the rubble Like a child loves collecting rocks I want to gather all these stones  Carry them so I always have something to throw

Trauma Support

Please note: blue text is hyperlinked.

Welcome to Trauma Support! We aim to provide a safe, empowering, inclusive, supportive and proactive community for trauma survivors to have the opportunity to begin healing from our experiences, in a non-judgmental environment. We also want to help spread awareness about trauma and its impact on individuals' lives while validating the members of this community, reducing the isolation many people feel. Therefore, trauma survivors as well as loved ones of them or people who want to learn about trauma are welcome here. 

What are the different forum topics for Trauma Support?

Bluelight, Medical & Veterans Trauma Support: Support for those who experience or witness trauma at work

Check-Ins & Prompts:  Regular check-ins and prompts, created by our leadership team

Child & Domestic Abuse: For people who have experienced child abuse, domestic abuse or even both

Coping with Attachment Difficulties: Help and support for people with attachment difficulties

Creativity Corner: A creative space for poetry, art, and healing and recovery quotes

Dissociation & Related Disorders: A place to discuss your struggles with dissociation and how it relates to your trauma

Introductions & Welcomes: Are you new to the Trauma Community? Share a little about yourself!

Journaling Stories: This area is for sharing your story or creating a diary

PTSD & Complex Trauma: Share stories and seek support for PTSD and complex PTSD

Resources: Share and seek resources here

Sexual Assault and Sexual Abuse: A place for those affected by sexual assault and sexual abuse

Trauma through Bullying: A place to seek support around the issue of suffering traumatic experiences as a result of bullying

Trauma through War: This section is there for people who have been impacted by war

Traumatic Loss: For survivors of traumatic loss of any kind

How can I help?

You can help us by simply responding to threads and sharing your story (if you're comfortable to). 

Alternatively, you may wish to join us as a Forum Leader. Check out this thread for more information.

In addition to that, you can take part in discussions or become a host for them.

Finally, you could also have a look at the posts of our trauma support sub-community writing team or even join it. 

Helpful Threads

Taglist: Do you want to stay up to date with our community? Then join our taglist to be notified for important posts.

Discussions: Here you can find out when the next discussion takes place.

Trauma Support Room Access: Find out how you can access the trauma support room here. The room is open during the discussions and on Sundays.

Masterpost: Within this thread, you can find a number of educative and supportive posts that our writing team has written.

Leadership Team: In this thread, you can get to know our leadership team.

Trauma Support FAQ

Are there any sub-community specific guidelines that we need to adhere to? 

- Yes, all sub-community specific guidelines can be found below and should be followed in addition to the general forum guidelines.

How can I give feedback or ideas to the leadership team?

- You can either pm audienta directly, use this form to contact the forum leaders, or this form for general feedback about the trauma support sub-community.

Help... I still have a question! 

You can ask your questions in this thread and someone will respond to you as soon as possible.

Community Guidelines

These are the Trauma Support Sub-Community Guidelines, which have been drawn up in addition to the 7 Cups main guidelines and are specific for the Trauma Support community:

  • Uphold and comply with the 7 Cups main guidelines
  • Respect everyone, members and listeners alike
  • Do not discourage/be unsupportive/blame/judge one another for their past
  • No graphic, in depth descriptions or pictures which could be triggering for others - in forums, chat and support session
  • Please always add a trigger warning if you believe your thread could be potentially triggering/harmful and/or contains one of the topics on this list. Also, please add a short topic description to the trigger warning (e.g. "Trigger Warning: Domestic Abuse) and if you're in a group support chat, wait a moment to see if everyone is comfortable with the topic. If not, agree on a time span during which the person who's not comfortable with the topic leaves the chat. Once they come back after this time span, change the topic.
  • Cursing not permitted and must be asterisked. (It is fine to vent and to express appropriate anger, but as curse words have often been used during abusive and traumatic experiences, we ask members and listeners to asterisk abusive/curse words to avoid triggering and upsetting members where possible and to maintain a respectful environment and to encourage positive and healthy expression of anger.)
  • Forums postings made by listeners and members should be transparent, made in English and should not be blocked out using colouring to disguise content of wording/messages sent between members/listeners, to maintain the safety of all users of the trauma sub community and to ensure all rules are being complied with.
  • Everyone is unique and their experiences are individual to them. Everyone’s experiences and how they think and feel about these are valid. Everyone reacts to traumatic experiences differently. This will be respected and appreciated without judgement.
Read the 7 Cups Guidelines
Community Leaders
Community Mentor Leader
@audienta
Chatroom Moderator
@InsightfulPhoenix
@Kieran000
@WillingToHelpU