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Self-blame
It's common to feel responsible for the sexual violence you've experienced. You might feel guilty or to blame. You are not to blame. It is not your fault.
Recognising self-blame
Try to recognise when your thoughts become self-blaming.
You might have thoughts like 'it was my fault', or think things like:
- 'I should have…'
- 'I shouldn't have…'
- 'If I had only...then it wouldn't have happened.'
- 'I deserved it.'
- 'I was asking for it.'
- 'I led him on.'
Once you recognise these thought patterns you can start to challenge and replace them.
It can be really hard, but try to remember that the only person to blame for what happened is the perpetrator(s).