Help is Available

If you or someone you know experiences sexual misconduct (e.g., sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual exploitation or sexual violence) or interpersonal misconduct (e.g., domestic violence, dating violence or stalking), self-care should be a first priority.

At Drake, we have resources and support available to help you or someone you know obtain necessary self-care and access to institutional and community resources.

Helping Yourself

Helping Someone Else

Each survivor reacts to sexual and interpersonal misconduct in their own unique way. Past experiences, culture, and context of the survivor’s life may affect these reactions. Some express their emotions while others prefer to keep their feelings inside. Some may tell others right away what happened, others may wait weeks, months, or even years before discussing the assault, if they ever choose to do so. It is important to respect each person’s choices and style of coping with this traumatic event.

Emotional reactions may include

Psychological reactions may include

Physical reactions may include

Impact on significant others

Sexual and interpersonal violence can affect parents, friends, roommates, partners, children, spouses, and/or coworkers of the survivor. As they try to make sense of what happened, significant others may experience similar reactions and feelings to those of the survivor. Fear, guilt, self-blame, and anger are but a few reactions they may experience. In order to best support the survivor, it is important for those close to them to get support. Local social services providers offer free confidential services to those affected by sexual violence.

*Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault

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