5 Ways To Cope If You Have Been Raped

For weeks now, the issue of rape and sexual molestation has been a topic on every Nigerian’s lips. This is in wake of Busola Dakolo, the wife of Nigerian singer, Timi Dakolo coming forward to allege that the global senior pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA), Biodun Fatoyinbo raped her twice as a teenager.

This revelation has sparked widespread reaction with several other prominent Nigerians like Adesua Etomi, Do2dtun, TY Bello, Chika Unigwe among others coming forward with their own sexual molestation experiences.

With rape being such an ugly act, and many women having experienced it at some point in their lives. We have gathered different ways one can cope after being raped:

FILE – In this Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2017 file photo, “F,” a 22-year-old who says she was raped by members of Myanmar’s armed forces in June and again in September, cries as she speaks during an interview in her tent in Kutupalong refugee camp in Bangladesh. The Associated Press has found that the rape of Rohingya women by Myanmar’s security forces has been sweeping and methodical. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E)

Talk to Someone

Many victims of rape tend to lock up their experience due to shame and fear of stigmatization but in actual fact, it can be of help to you to share your experience with a loved one or professional. Talking about it can help you not only heal but also allow others come up with various ways to help you such as taking action against your rapist and ensuring you get the right and proper psychological, emotional and medical care necessary.

Seek Professional Help

It will be a great idea to seek professional help as a form of therapy. This can help soothe the pain triggered by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) which is the most common disorder seen in victims of rape and sexual assault.

Practise Self-Care

With the shame that comes with rape, many victims think they have no dignity or pride anymore. This isn’t so; even those who died from being raped lost nothing but their lives. You are still who you are despite being raped, and as long as you survived it, you don’t have to wallow in shame or defeat. Don’t let that bad experience define your life or stop you from achieving your dreams. Get that job, earn that certificate, attend that event. Live your life normally knowing that you are a rape survivor.

Join Support Groups

You have probably heard the popular Liverpool slogan, never walk alone. We draw strength from others and as such, you should consider joining support groups for those who have either been raped, sexually abused or know someone who was sexually abused. These groups also consist of people who weren’t abused, but understand the different issues other people face. Help others by telling your story so that they may all beware of any potential danger from rapists.

Become a humanitarian

There can never be too much talk around the subject of rape and as a victim, you are in a good position to help create awareness for ending rape in your society. You can do this either by making donations for a campaign so that intending rapists would not attempt to cause any harm. You could join NGO’s and humanitarian foundations related to your case in order to educate, learn and also finally recover.