- Longer-term reduction of stress/distress
- Address root causes
- Improve functioning
What is sexual assault?
Sexual assault is illegal under Canada’s Criminal Code and refers to:
- any form of unwanted, forced, or coerced sexual activity, including kissing, fondling, touching, and any kind of intercourse, that is done onto the nember of the university community or visitor without their consent; or
- any attempts or threats, by an act or a gesture, to force sexual activity onto the member of the university community or visitor, if the person committing the act had or caused the member of the university community or visitor to believe the person committing the act had the present ability to act on the attempt or threat.
Forcing or coercing someone to touch you sexually is also sexual assault. Sexual assault can happen to anyone, of any gender. It may be committed by someone you know (spouse, partner, family member, roommate, date) or by a stranger. Acquaintance sexual assault is more common than assault by a stranger.
Acquaintance sexual assault often occurs when one or more of the parties involved has been drinking or using drugs; in such circumstances inhibitions and communication skills may be diminished. Using alcohol or drugs does not excuse sexual assault, nor does it make the person assaulted in any way responsible for the assault.
Effects of sexual assault
Common emotional responses to sexual assault:
- Shock
- Denial
- Fear
- Anxiety
- Shame
- Low self esteem
- Depression
- Anger
- Isolation
Possible physical, psychosomatic & behavioural effects of sexual assault:
- Muscle tension
- Headaches / migraines
- Loss of sexual pleasure
- Sleep disturbances / nightmares
- Disturbances in eating patterns
- Disturbances in concentration
- Alcohol / drug misuse
- Suicidal ideation
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Coping
- Short-term/temporary reduction of stress/distress
- Addresses symptoms not the root cause
- Maintains and/or strengthens impacts (stress/distress/problems)
- Does not improve functioning
Unhealthy coping can look like:
- Denial, self-blame
- Self-medication (including sedation)
- Substance abuse (including misuse of alcohol, stimulants)
- Disordered eating
- Dissociation
- Excessive working Self-harm
Additional resources:
To give adult survivors of sexual assault better support, the province of Nova Scotia created the Legal Advice for Sexual Assault Survivors program.
The program respects survivors’ privacy and their right to make their own decisions. Registering is done through an independent agency, 211 Nova Scotia, and participants do not have to report to police or take legal action if they use this service.