Surviving sexual violence is not easy. The hardest part is admitting to yourself that you need help.
This is what Marina Kozeratska, a specialist at the Center for Assistance to the Rescued in Kherson, says.
According to her, fear often prevents a person from seeking help from a psychologist — fear that acquaintances will find out, fear of being devalued, fear of shame or accusations, fear that it will get worse. Most often a person is stopped by a lack of understanding of how psychological support works.
At the same time Marina assures: a psychologist never presses on painful points, does not pry, does not reproach and does not throw someone into a trigger. The specialist builds points of support so that the person moves toward resolving the problem when they are ready.
“Often during outreach trips we just talk with people. The topic is delicate, and people find it easier to approach it through jokes and laughter. And already at this stage I, as a specialist, identify people who have certain negative experiences. Some call us immediately after such meetings, some take time to gather the courage and admit to themselves that they are not okay,” the psychologist notes.
At the Center for Assistance to the Rescued they value careful and delicate treatment of everyone who turns to them after incidents of gender-based violence or sexual violence during conflict. Marina emphasizes: you do not need to be “sufficiently traumatized” to seek a psychologist. You need to be honest and, first of all, admit to yourself that you are struggling.
“I always say that a psychologist is like a flashlight that illuminates the path for a person who is in the dark. We do not pressure, do not break, do not judge. And we can withstand any traumas. And the first step sometimes is simply to write ‘Can we talk?’ You should not think that you must go through something alone just because it seems that what you experienced does not matter. Any experience requires careful contact,” she says.
How to seek help after sexual violence — read HERE.
The Centers for Assistance to the Rescued were created at the initiative of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, with the support of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, in partnership with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund in Ukraine, thanks to the financial support of the governments of Austria, Belgium, Spain, Sweden and in cooperation with local authorities.
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