Resources

Many people use the resources of the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, there are different ways to get involved with us depending on your needs at this time. Resources to learn more about sexual violence and/or how to begin healing

Recent Sexual Assaults – Support for Survivors

Recent Sexual Assault could be defined as a sexual assault that happened within the last year.
Know that this is not your fault. It doesn’t matter what you wore, what you did, what you didn’t do, who you were with, who you weren’t with or whether or not you drank alcohol or consumed drugs. You are not to blame.

Sexual Assault Trauma

Sexual assault trauma syndrome is the reorganization process that occurs as a result of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault. This syndrome includes behavioural, physical and psychological reactions to an extremely stressful and life-threatening situation.

Rape is not a sexual act. It is an act of violence with sex as the weapon. It is not surprising that the victim/survivor experiences a syndrome with specific symptoms as a result of the attack made upon her.
Sexual assault trauma syndrome is usually a three-phase reaction: