REVICTIMIZATION
No matter how many times someone has experienced sexual or domestic violence, it is NEVER their fault.
Factors That Increase the Risk of Revictimization
- Child sexual abuse
- Witnessing IPV as child
- Marginalized populations
- Low self-esteem
- Familiarity of abuse
- Abusers seek out survivors
- Victim-blaming tendencies within society
- Dissociation
Effects of Revictimization
- Substance use
- Post-traumatic stress
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headaches
- Cardio/gastrointestinal effects
- Sleep difficulties
- Isolation
- Depression/anxiety symptoms
Reducing Revictimization
- Seek counseling or therapy for past instances of abuse
- Engage in self-care activities
- Establish a strong support system
- Discover self-compassion
- Create personal boundaries for self and others
It’s hard to trust someone, especially when the ones you trusted the most were the ones that betrayed you.