You Are Not Alone. What Sexual Assault Survivors Need to Hear First
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time when stories are shared, voices are honored, and survivors of sexual violence are reminded that they matter. But if you’re here right now feeling overwhelmed, numb, or unsure where to begin, let this be your soft place to land.
You are not alone.
Whether your trauma happened recently or years ago, your experience is real. You deserve safety, validation, and healing—no matter your background, no matter what anyone else says.
At The 1st 28 Foundation, we see you. We believe you. And we’re here to walk beside you—from surviving to thriving.
What Is Sexual Assault? (And Why Naming It Matters)
Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual contact, behavior, or exposure that happens without your clear and enthusiastic consent. It includes:
Rape or attempted rape
Groping or touching without permission
Sexual coercion or manipulation
Exposure to sexual acts or images without consent
Assault while unconscious or unable to give consent
Let’s be clear:
It doesn’t matter what you were wearing. It doesn’t matter if you were drinking. It doesn’t matter who it was. If you didn’t say “yes,” it wasn’t consent.
If you're searching for answers like “what to do after being sexually assaulted” or “how to start healing after sexual trauma,” know that the very act of naming what happened is a powerful first step toward recovery.
Why You Might Feel Alone (And Why You’re Not)
After an assault, it’s common to feel:
Ashamed or guilty
Confused about what really happened
Scared to tell anyone
Like no one will believe you
Disconnected from your body or emotions
Many survivors, especially in communities of color, LGBTQ+, and women in underserved communities—these feelings are even more layered.
You may carry:
Cultural pressure to "be strong and silent"
Family expectations to protect the abuser
Deep distrust of police or legal systems
Religious guilt or spiritual confusion
These cultural and emotional burdens are real. But please hear this: Your pain is valid. Your experience matters. You are not broken.
The First Step in Healing Is Honoring Yourself
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The First Step in Healing Is Honoring Yourself 〰️
Healing starts by giving yourself permission to feel, to rest, to cry, to speak, or to stay silent.
You don’t have to:
Report to the police to be considered a "real survivor"
Share your story publicly
Rush into forgiveness
Pretend you're okay
You get to define your healing on your own terms.
Many survivors ask, "What’s something I can do right now to start healing after sexual assault?" We have found and research supports that survivors have found comfort and clarity through journaling. It’s a safe, private space to unpack emotions, reconnect with your voice, identify patterns and triggers, reflect on your growth, and track your healing.
📃 Start Your Healing Today: Download A Journaling Journey to Healing
Our free digital journal is filled with guided prompts, affirmations, and trauma-informed tools made especially for survivors of sexual violence. Whether you're ready to write and do not know where to start or just need space to breathe—it’s here when you need it.
Real Talk: You Are Not to Blame. EVER!
Let’s say it louder for the people in the back: What happened to you was not your fault!
It doesn’t matter:
If you were drinking
If you froze instead of fighting
If it was someone you trusted
If you waited to tell anyone
If you waited weeks, months, or years to speak up
Many survivors replay the moment over and over, wondering what they could’ve done differently. That’s trauma talking. You did what you needed to survive.
The blame belongs to the person who hurt you—not you.
If you’re searching for “emotional healing after sexual trauma” or “how to move forward after being assaulted,” start by releasing the shame that never belonged to you.
Healing Isn’t Linear (And That’s Okay)
Healing doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some days you might feel strong. Other days, the smallest thing might trigger a wave of emotion. Randomly a song, smell. or comment may trigger a flood of emotion. That is all normal. Healing isn’t a straight line. It’s more like a waved spiral.
You might revisit the same feelings multiple times: anger, grief, confusion, numbness, hope. This doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re healing.
Give yourself grace. Surround yourself with support. Find tools that help you reconnect with your body and spirit.
Need a soft place to land today? Our journal is here for you. 📃 Click here to download A Journaling Journey to Healing
Finding Your Community
One of the most powerful ways to heal is by connecting with others who understand. Whether through online forums, support groups, therapy, or community orgs, you deserve a space where your story is heard and your dignity is protected.
The 1st 28 Foundation exists to create those spaces. We believe:
Healing is for everyone
Rest is resistance
Black and brown women deserve culturally relevant care
Journaling can change lives
During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we honor the courage it takes to survive. But more importantly, we support your right to thrive.
Words You Might Need Today
If no one else has told you this today:
You are not alone.
You are worthy of love.
You are allowed to rest.
You don’t have to explain yourself.
You didn’t deserve what happened.
Your story is not over.
Let these words live in your journal. Let them live in your heart.
Next Steps: Let’s Begin Together
Healing takes time, and you don’t have to do it all today. But you can take one small, powerful step right now.
📃 Download A Journaling Journey to Healing
This free journal is more than pages and prompts—it's a quiet space to come home to yourself. Start when you're ready. Return when you need. You're not alone on this path. We're with you—from day one, and far beyond day 28.
Explore more resources, healing tools, and support at The1st28.org.
