Psychological Effects After Sexual Assault
Sexual assault can cause various psychological problems in the victim. These include;
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Symptoms such as the event being remembered repeatedly, having nightmares, avoiding reminders of the event.
Depression: Symptoms such as sadness, loss of interest, low energy.
Anxiety disorders: Symptoms such as constant worry, panic attacks.
Insecurity: Decreased sense of trust in people and the environment.
Lack of self-confidence: Symptoms such as lowering one’s self-worth, feeling guilty.
2. The Importance of Getting Psychological Support
Getting professional support is very important to cope with psychological problems experienced after sexual assault. A psychologist or psychiatrist can help the victim overcome the trauma they have experienced, express their feelings, and reorganize their daily life.
3. Where to Get Psychological Support?
Psychologist or psychiatrist: Support can be received from specialists who provide services in private practices or hospital psychiatry departments.
Civil society organizations: Organizations such as women’s shelters and women’s rights associations can provide psychological support and counseling services to victims.
University psychology departments: Academicians working in university psychology departments can provide free or affordable therapy services to victims.
4. Sexual Assault Crime and Legal Rights
Sexual assault is a crime defined in the Turkish Penal Code. Victims have the right to complain about the person who committed this crime.
Victim’s Legal Rights
Right to Complain: The victim has the right to complain about the perpetrator of the crime.
Privacy principle: Protecting the victim’s identity is a basic principle.
Right to receive legal assistance: The victim can get legal assistance by hiring a lawyer or from the victim rights departments of the bar association.
Right to be heard as a witness: The victim can be heard as a witness in court.
Right to material and moral compensation: The victim can request material and moral compensation for the damages they have suffered.
5. Where to Get Legal Support?
Lawyer: A lawyer helps the victim protect their rights during the legal process.
Bar Association: Victims’ rights departments within the Bar Association provide legal counseling and support services to victims.
Women’s shelters: Women’s shelters can provide information to victims about legal support.