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Which One Is Effective: Traditional Sexual Abuse Advocacy and Systemic Approaches
Every patient has their own trauma that they want to overcome. For some victims and survivors, the effects of sexual abuse remain apparent throughout their life. Sexual trauma can have a drastic effect on a person’s physical and psychological well-being.
Without proper management, it can hinder their career, faith, intimate partnerships, and the bonds they have with family and friends. Those in search of various counselling options often find themselves confused about whether they should pick traditional sexual abuse advocacy or systemic approaches.
Here, you can take a look at what both have to offer. Including whether one is better than the other. This is a detailed overview of what to expect with the different forms of sexual abuse counselling.
Traditional Sexual Abuse Advocacy
Advocacy for sexual abuse survivors has many dimensions. But, they are all rooted in helping victims carry out the healing process. Advocates provide people with feelings of being heard, supported, and understood. But, it is also about maintaining autonomy and self-determination.
Some examples of sexual abuse advocacy include:- Helping a sexual abuse victim with basic necessities, such as keeping employment or housing.
- Offering people a hotline call they can rely on.
- Explaining the entire legal process related to the victim's current situation.
- Meeting a victim at the hospital for a forensic exam to offer valuable support.
Advocacy provides support in a range of different ways. First, advocates offer valuable pieces of information, resources, and options to sexual assault victims. They validate and normalize your event, helping you explore ways that could become key coping tactics.
Advocates also provide crisis intervention, respond, and identify cognitive distortions. It’s about focusing on all the probable elements of victimization and finding ways to overcome the hurdles. With the right psychoeducation, victims can obtain a new perspective on their traumatic experiences. This can be beneficial through the entire healing process.
Systemic Approaches for Sexual Abuse
Systemic therapy for sexual abuse seeks to understand the victim and their relationship with other people, rather than in isolation. The victim is seen as a component of a much bigger system, like a family or community.
Systemic approaches are meant to spot deeply engraved patterns within the victim’s life. As a result, counsellors and psychotherapists can uncover the ways in which the patient can cope with the event. The counsellor can also observe the patient’s beliefs or anything else that might be related to the trauma.
So, who uses systemic approaches for sexual abuse, you might ask? If you or someone you know is suffering from unhealthy patterns, like relationship dynamics, they can alter their way of life and examine different, more practical patterns. That’s where systemic therapy can help.
Systemic approaches are not directive. On the contrary, the goal is to inspire individuals to figure out these negative patterns by themselves. The counsellor will just guide you through it. If you are struggling with a range of problems, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, relationship problems, or troubles with body image, then systemic approaches can help. They are also practical for building self-esteem.
Traditional Sexual Abuse Advocacy V.S. Systemic Approaches
Countless people want to know which one is better. Should you choose advocacy or a systemic approach? When you are deciding which therapy to go for, it’s important to take a look at everything they have to offer. Even the drawbacks.
A systemic approach is best meant for recognizing and understanding unhealthy patterns. But, they don’t look into the problems of the past. It also features a group system, providing patients with a safe space to share the experience. Systemic approaches are about helping establish a better connection and relationship between two individuals.
Sexual assault advocacy takes a slightly different approach. Also known as court advocacy, it is meant to guide the victim through safety planning, obtaining resource referrals, gaining support, and more. Instead of digging deep into the patient’s patterns, the assistance is bent on obtaining a secure environment where people feel encouraged to open up.
Both sexual abuse advocacy and systemic approaches can prove useful. What you choose depends on the problem you are dealing with. If you don’t think you can handle the difficult choice all by yourself, then talk to a specialist. With proper guidance, you can overcome the trauma.Final Thoughts
Both advocacy and systemic approaches for sexual abuse have their benefits. Systemic therapy is meant to focus on interactions and connections that are associated with the traumatic experience. Victims can explore their emotions and talk in a non-judgmental environment.
While advocacy uses collaboration, empowerment, cultural competence, and trust to establish that bond. A sexual abuse advocate will share their power with victims and work towards their extended goals. To pick the therapy that’s best tailored to your needs, talk to a specialist.
Book a session with counselling near you and find the ways to get the problem in check. It may take some time to notice the results. But, it is completely worth it.
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