Sexual Violence
Compassionate support for sexual violence, available in person in Saint John and Woodstock and virtually across New Brunswick.
Sexual Violence Doesn't Always Look The Same
Sexual violence can happen in many different circumstances and relationships. It may involve force, but it can also involve pressure, coercion, manipulation, exploitation, or sexual activity when someone is unable to freely give consent. It can happen with a stranger, a partner, someone you trust, or someone in a position of power.
Sometimes people know immediately that a boundary has been violated. Other times, it can take months or even years to understand an experience differently. You may question what happened, minimize it, wonder whether it was “serious enough,” or struggle to find words that feel right.
You don’t have to decide exactly what to call your experience before you’re allowed to seek support.
There is No "Right" Way to Respond
People respond to sexual violence in many different ways. You might feel afraid, angry, overwhelmed or deeply affected by what happened. You might also feel numb, disconnected, confused, or wonder why you don’t feel the way you expected to.
Trauma responses aren’t always conscious choices. Freezing, shutting down, complying, disconnecting from what is happening, or trying to keep the situation from becoming more dangerous can all be ways the nervous system responds when we don’t feel safe.
There is no timeline for how an experience may affect you, either. Some people notice the impact immediately, while for others it becomes clearer months or years later.
Whatever your response has been, therapy can offer a place to understand it with curiosity and compassion rather than judgment.
How Sexual Violence Can Affect You
The effects of sexual violence can show up in many different ways. You may recognize some of these experiences, many of them, or none at all. Your response is individual to you.
Thoughts & Emotions
✓ Shame, guilt or self-blame
✓ Fear, anger or sadness
✓ Confusion about what happened
✓ Difficulty trusting yourself or your memories
✓ Feeling numb or disconnected
✓ Anxiety or feeling constantly on alert
✓ Intrusive thoughts or memories
Body & Nervous System
✓ Feeling unsafe or uncomfortable in your body
✓ Being easily startled or constantly alert
✓ Sleep difficulties or nightmares
✓ Physical tension or difficulty relaxing
✓ Feeling disconnected from your body
✓ Strong reactions to touch, sensations or reminders
✓ Changes in sexual desire or response
Relationship & Intimacy
✓ Difficulty trusting others
✓ Changes in comfort with closeness or intimacy
✓ Difficulty identifying or communicating boundaries
✓ Fear of being vulnerable
✓ Feeling disconnected from a partner
✓ Avoiding dating, relationships or sexual intimacy
✓ Finding certain situations, touch or interactions triggering
Everyday Life
✓ Difficulty concentrating at work or school
✓ Avoiding particular people, places or situations
✓ Changes in routines or activities that once felt comfortable
✓ Using substances or other behaviours to cope
✓ Feeling like you need to stay busy or in control
✓ Difficulty asking for help or accepting support
✓ Feeling as though the experience continues to affect choices you make today
How Therapy Can Help After Sexual Violence
Therapy after sexual violence isn’t about forcing you to revisit experiences before you’re ready. It can be a place to better understand how what happened may be affecting you now, develop ways to feel safer and more grounded, and reconnect with parts of yourself that may have felt changed or lost.
Depending on what you need, therapy may help you:
✓ Understand trauma responses without blaming yourself
✓ Build a greater sense of safety and control
✓ Manage triggers, anxiety or overwhelming emotions
✓ Reconnect with your body in ways that feel safe
✓ Explore boundaries, trust and relationships
✓ Work through shame, guilt or self-blame
✓ Navigate changes in intimacy or sexual well-being
✓ Process traumatic experiences when and if you feel ready
Healing doesn’t have to follow a particular timeline or look a certain way. Therapy can move at a pace that respects your choices, your boundaries and what feels manageable for you.
Our Approach to Sexual Trauma Therapy
There is no single approach to healing after sexual violence. At Rising Tides, therapy is individualized based on your experiences, goals, needs and what feels right for you.
Our trauma-focused therapists draw from a range of evidence-informed approaches and specialized training. Depending on your needs and preferences, therapy may include approaches such as EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Internal Family Systems and other trauma-informed approaches.
You don’t need to know which type of therapy you need before reaching out. Your therapist can help you explore your options and develop an approach that feels appropriate for you.
Most importantly, you remain an active participant in the process. Therapy is collaborative, and your choices, boundaries and readiness help guide the work.
You Don't Have To Tell Your Whole Story To Begin
Starting therapy doesn’t mean you have to describe everything that happened or talk about experiences before you feel ready. You can begin with what is affecting you today – your emotions, relationships, sense of safety, boundaries, sleep, intimacy, or anything else you would like support with.
For some people, talking about what happened becomes an important part of therapy. For others, healing may involve working with the effects of the experience without discussing every detail.
You decide what you share, when you share it, and what you want to work toward. A trauma-focused therapist can help you move at a pace that respects your boundaries, readiness, and sense of control.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to make a police report in order to seek counselling or talk with a therapist about an experience of sexual violence. Therapy is confidential, although there are legal and ethical limits to confidentiality in some circumstances. Your therapist can explain these limits and answer any questions you have before you decide what you would like to share.
There is no time limit on seeking support. Experiences from months, years, or even decades ago can continue to affect how you feel, relate to others, or experience safety and intimacy. You can begin therapy whenever it feels right for you.
No. Trauma memories can sometimes be incomplete, fragmented, or difficult to put into chronological order. You don’t need to remember every detail or try to make sense of everything that happened before beginning therapy.
Yes. Sexual violence can affect trust, boundaries, closeness, body connection, and sexual intimacy in different ways. Therapy can provide a space to explore these changes and work toward relationships and intimacy that feel safer and more comfortable for you.
Funding for counselling may be available through Victim Services for people who meet their eligibility requirements. Rising Tides can provide counselling as part of an approved referral.
If you’re unsure whether you may qualify for funding, you can contact Victim Services to learn more about available supports and the referral process.
Several therapists at Rising Tides have extensive training and experience supporting people who have experienced sexual violence and trauma. You can explore our therapist profiles or use our Therapy Match service to help find someone whose experience, approach, and availability fit what you’re looking for.
Meet Some of Our Therapists Who Provide Support After Sexual Violence
Ashley Saab, MSW
Registered Social Worker
Ashley has extensive experience supporting adults impacted by sexual and gender-based violence, with specialized training in counselling survivors of sexual violence, EMDR, and Trauma-Focused CBT.
Kaeli McGraw (Crozier), LCT-C
Counselling Therapist
Kaeli specializes in trauma and has extensive specialized training including sexual and interpersonal trauma, the unseen impacts of sexual violence, and supporting people who have experienced sexual violence.
Taylor King, LTC-C
Counselling Therapist
Taylor supports adults healing from traumatic experiences, including sexual assault and domestic violence. Her background includes training in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and other trauma-focused approaches.
Rachel Milne, RSW
Registered Social Worker
Rachel supports adults impacted by sexual violence and trauma and has specialized training in counselling survivors of sexual violence, EMDR, and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART).
Related Resources on Sexual Violence
Support after sexual violence can take many forms. In addition to counselling, there are organizations that provide advocacy, information, practical support and other specialized services. We’ve included a few resources that may be helpful.
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program
Specialized medical and forensic care following sexual violence, available through designated New Brunswick hospitals.
We’re Here For You Canada
Provides comfort kits and compassionate support for people receiving care following sexual violence.
Sexual Violence New Brunswick (SVNB)
Specialized sexual-violence support, counselling, advocacy and information.
From The Talking To Trauma Podcast
Hear our conversation with Sarah Sherman from We’re Here For You Canada talking about her personal experience, supporting survivors and the comfort kits being provided in emergency departments across the country.
You Don't Have to Manage Sexual Violence Alone
Finding the right therapist matters. Our Therapy Match can help connect you with a therapist who has experience relevant to what you’re looking for and whose approach feels like a good fit.