CW: Sexual Assault, trauma
“I physically lost my ability to speak for a few days after this happened, and it’s been a long theme of trying to find my voice again, and trying to have the right people in my life to help me find my voice again,” Ari, a survivor of sexual assault, said while reflecting on the aftermath of the trauma.
Ari felt overwhelmed by all the paperwork and resources she was getting when a volunteer advocate from Firefly handed her a stress ball, sitting with her while going through the entirety of the procedure.
The goal was to give her something comforting to hold onto, reminding her that she wasn’t alone and that she could still find support through Firefly, beyond the doors of the emergency room.
The therapist Ari was seeing prior to the assault was unable to help her with what she was now experiencing. She noticed that her usual support system outside of therapy wasn’t very helpful either.
Ari contacted the group that gave her the stress ball a few weeks after the assault. That phone call brought her in touch with a Firefly advocate who was able to support her as she began the process of finding her voice again.
“What we talked about was trying to make sure Ari knew what her options were and what the potential results of those options would be,” Ari’s advocate says. “A big part of advocacy is helping the client figure out what they want for themselves.”
Ari didn’t feel like she could be a functioning member of community after incident her assault. Her voice became a very necessary tool to reclaim her power. After one-on-one advocacy, as well as group therapy, Ari says her current, overall state has been “a whole lot better.”
“I feel like I can speak up (now),” Ari explained.
When asked what Ari would say to someone who might be hesitating to reach out for support after experiencing sexual violence, she shares:
“Your pain is valid, no matter what caused it. You deserve help.”
Firefly’s sexual assault counseling and advocacy services are designed to help survivors explore options, become aware of resources, gain support and engage in services that promote healing.
For more information: https://fireflyin.org/programs-services/recovery/sexual-assault-counseling-advocacy/