To What Extent Would You Go To Survive

To guarantee my survival, there are very many things I would do. I do not, however, think that I would sacrifice my morals. If surviving meant killing another person, or doing something that i am totally against, I would not do it. If it came to the survival of my family, however, things might be different. To make sure my family was safe, or that they survived, i would do most anything. But if it was only myself in the mix, it would not be as important to me. Do not get me wrong, I love my life. But one person is not as important as a whole lot of people.

Sirvivor Synthesis Essay: Surviving After a Rape

Six-Word-Slant

• Rape affects many- men and women.

140-Character-Claim

• Thousands of people are affected each year by rape, and in order for those people to survive, they have to face the hard truth.

• Surviving Rape and Sexual Assault

Two out of every six people are raped. Thousands of people are affected each year by rape, and in order for those people to survive, they have to face the hard truth. Learning to survive this terrible ordeal is not easy, but can be done.

Learning to deal with rape is a long and difficult process; especially if you are experiencing PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. According to Samantha Smith, in the article “through my eyes: Surviving Sexual Assault,” “You should see a doctor if you are experiencing flashbacks or having night terrors. It can help you cope with what has happened to you.” Smith also says “Talking to your family can help, because they care about you, will not judge you, and will always support you.” Learning triggers is also a good way to learn to deal with rape. Courtney Finley, a women interviewed about her rape, admits “I was terrified, Everything made me nervous. But, after a few weeks, i finally figured out my ‘trigger’ so to speak. When I was rapped my attacker smelled like cigerette smoke. Smoke was my trigger.” Some triggers are almost impossible to get away from. Finley states that “Learning to deal with your triggers is difficult, but it can be done. Family and friend support is important, but so is a lot of prayer and trust in God.”

One of the most important things to learning to survive a rape is this: It is not your fault! According to professors at Kansas State University, in the article “Counselling Services,” “Rape and sexual assault are about power and dominance; they are not about sex and certainly not about feelings of affection or love.” Too many times people believe an assault was their own fault because of the way they ‘led someone on,’ but they need to understand that this is not true. If they would just talk to a professional, or read up on others’ stories, it might help them to understand. Another thing that might help in this situation is to tell someone. Talking to others is always good. If another person can get you to say the words rape or sexual assault out loud, it would help to remind you that it is not your fault. Telling your story to other rape victims does the same thing to help them. Telling other victims not only helps them to know that it is not their fault, but it helps reiterate the point to yourself over and over again.

Some people, especially the attacker, might try to make it seem like the attack was the victim's fault. They might state that the victim brought it on themselves. They might try to say that the victims skirt was too short, their jeans were too tight, or maybe their shirt was too revealing, there for they were asking for it. They might say that the way a person was acting or dancing was the cause of the attack.They are only trying to manipulate their victim! It is NOT their fault. People can not attack another because of the way they look or act. As shown by Jack London in the book “The Call of the Wild,” Buck is beaten because of the way he acted. He did not know he was acting wrong, therefore should not have been beaten. The same thing applies to rape victims. If people did not do anything wrong, they have no reason to be afraid. That is just an excuse rapists use to stay out of trouble.

Maybe someone you know and love has been a victim of rape or a sexual assault. Maybe all that person really needs is someone to talk to. Talking about it would not be easy for them, and probably not for you, either, but if it helps them to move on, would it not be worth it? Maybe you should let someone talk to you and use these steps to help them. You would want someone to talk to.