"As a result of this trauma, most survivors of sexual assault experience body image disturbance in some form, from preoccupation with appearance to severe eating disorders. Reports show 30-60% of patients in treatment for eating disorders have been sexually assaulted.
"Survivors of sexual assault report feelings and behaviors that are entirely consistent with effects of objectification, almost all of which are associated with body shame, or feelings of disgust for one’s own body. Girls and women starve, binge, purge, compulsively overeat, avoid exercise, exercise obsessively, isolate themselves, and elect to life-threatening cosmetic surgery in an attempt to or control their bodies — either by forcing them to fit cultural beauty ideals (which are upheld as the product of superior willpower and self-discipline) or to avoid conforming to beauty ideals and thus avoid sexual attention. Girls and women who have been used and abused as objects are likely to treat their own bodies as objects."
http://www.beautyredefined.net/sexual-assault-body-image/
"Survivors of sexual assault report feelings and behaviors that are entirely consistent with effects of objectification, almost all of which are associated with body shame, or feelings of disgust for one’s own body. Girls and women starve, binge, purge, compulsively overeat, avoid exercise, exercise obsessively, isolate themselves, and elect to life-threatening cosmetic surgery in an attempt to or control their bodies — either by forcing them to fit cultural beauty ideals (which are upheld as the product of superior willpower and self-discipline) or to avoid conforming to beauty ideals and thus avoid sexual attention. Girls and women who have been used and abused as objects are likely to treat their own bodies as objects."
http://www.beautyredefined.net/sexual-assault-body-image/
"Eating disorders are common for adult survivors of childhood sexual assault and for survivors of sexual assaults as adults.Some studies indicate that almost 30% of women suffering from bulimia were raped at some point in their lives.Girls who are sexually abused appear to be at a double risk for eating disorders. Food can often become an area where a survivor can exert control by:Deciding when and if they can eat. How much and what they eat Denying themselves when they are hungry
‘Punishing’ themselves for feelings or memories they have about the abuse by not eating or by eating and then purging.Working through the hunger, Surviving on very little amounts of food
Accomplishing these things can feel like victories in gaining control over their lives and bodies after sexual assault or abuse took that control and choice away...Some survivors may deny themselves food in order to become thin and lose any resemblance of a female figure. Other survivors may want to gain weight to cover or hide areas of their body, or to attempt to make themselves unattractive. "http://health.columbia.edu/topics/eating-disorders/sexual-assault
‘Punishing’ themselves for feelings or memories they have about the abuse by not eating or by eating and then purging.Working through the hunger, Surviving on very little amounts of food
Accomplishing these things can feel like victories in gaining control over their lives and bodies after sexual assault or abuse took that control and choice away...Some survivors may deny themselves food in order to become thin and lose any resemblance of a female figure. Other survivors may want to gain weight to cover or hide areas of their body, or to attempt to make themselves unattractive. "http://health.columbia.edu/topics/eating-disorders/sexual-assault
Finding ways to cope with childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault without harming oneself is important to the healing process. We will talk more about eating disorders again.
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