Healing After Sexual Assault and Abuse: Reclaiming Safety in the Body

The impact of sexual assault and abuse can extend deep into the mind and body, affecting one's sense of safety and connection. Survivors may feel unsafe in their own bodies, disconnected from themselves, or overwhelmed by anxiety and fear. Healing from this trauma requires approaches that honor the mind-body connection and help restore a sense of safety and self. Somatic therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and nervous system-focused techniques can be powerful tools in this journey toward healing.

​Understanding Trauma in the Body

Trauma isn't just stored in the mind; it is held in the body. Pioneers in trauma therapy, like Judith Herman, Peter Levine, and Bessel van der Kolk, have dedicated their careers to understanding how trauma is embedded in the nervous system. Their work has shown that experiences of sexual trauma can dysregulate the nervous system, leaving survivors in a state of "fight, flight, or freeze" long after the threat has passed. This can manifest as hypervigilance, emotional numbness, dissociation, or intense physical responses to certain triggers.
As Bessel van der Kolk writes in The Body Keeps the Score, the body remembers trauma, even when the conscious mind may not. This is where somatic therapy and other body-centered approaches can play an essential role. Somatic therapies help individuals reconnect with their bodies in a way that feels safe and manageable, allowing for healing that goes beyond traditional talk therapy.

​Somatic Therapy: Reconnecting with the Body

​Somatic therapy focuses on tuning into bodily sensations and understanding the wisdom of the body. For survivors of sexual assault and abuse, somatic therapy offers a gentle, non-intrusive approach to healing. Peter Levine’s work with Somatic Experiencing, for instance, guides clients to safely explore sensations and emotions, gradually releasing the stored tension of traumatic experiences.

​Through somatic practices, clients learn to regulate their nervous systems and build a compassionate relationship with their bodies. This can be particularly helpful in addressing triggers—sights, sounds, or even internal sensations that provoke feelings of fear or anxiety. By learning to recognize and respond to these triggers in a regulated way, survivors can start to reclaim their sense of safety.

​EMDR: Processing and Integrating Traumatic Memories

​EMDR is another powerful tool for processing trauma. Originally developed to treat PTSD, EMDR has gained recognition for its effectiveness with survivors of sexual trauma. The process involves focusing on traumatic memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation (such as guided eye movements), helping the brain process these memories and integrate them in a less distressing way. EMDR can help reduce the intensity of triggers and foster a feeling of control over one’s memories and emotions.

EMDR often addresses both the emotional and bodily impact of trauma, which can make it particularly effective for survivors struggling with flashbacks, nightmares, and a pervasive sense of danger. By processing these experiences, clients can find relief from the burdens that their bodies have carried, opening up space for healing and growth.

Nervous System Regulation: Building a Foundation of Safety

​In the context of healing from trauma, regulating the nervous system is essential. Survivors often find themselves in a state of chronic hyperarousal, where the body constantly prepares for a threat that is no longer present. This dysregulation can lead to fatigue, irritability, anxiety, and difficulty connecting with others.

​Practices like deep breathing, mindfulness, and grounding exercises help the nervous system shift from a reactive state to a regulated one. This process is gradual, and it’s normal for survivors to have moments when they feel triggered or overwhelmed. In those moments, self-compassion and gentle self-care are key to continuing the healing process.

​Trauma-Informed Therapy: A Safe Space for Healing

​Healing from sexual assault and abuse requires a compassionate, trauma-informed approach that respects each survivor's unique journey. Trauma-informed therapists work to create an environment that feels safe, non-judgmental, and empowering. They recognize that healing is a collaborative process, one that may require revisiting memories, addressing the body’s responses, and developing new coping mechanisms to manage triggers.

​By combining approaches like somatic therapy, EMDR, and nervous system regulation, survivors can reconnect with their bodies and reclaim their sense of safety and agency. This journey can be challenging, but with the right support, healing is possible.

​Reclaiming a Sense of Safety

​Survivors often feel estranged from their bodies, unsure of how to find comfort or peace within themselves. The healing process is not about forgetting the past but rather about reclaiming control and cultivating a safe space within the body. By drawing on the insights of leaders like Judith Herman, Peter Levine, and Bessel van der Kolk, survivors can explore methods that resonate with their personal needs and move forward in their journey toward healing.

​Whether through somatic therapy, EMDR, or nervous system regulation, survivors of sexual trauma can take steps toward healing, one gentle moment at a time. By reconnecting with their bodies and learning to trust themselves, survivors can rebuild a life that feels grounded, whole, and safe.

If you are interested in how somatic therapy and EMDR in Coquitlam might help, please book a free 15 minute consultation.

If you are a victim of crime, visit ​CVAP (Crime Victim Assistance Program).