Sexual trauma survivors can protect their mental health while consuming media by implementing specific strategies such as checking trigger warnings, setting social media boundaries, practicing selective content engagement, and working with licensed therapists to develop personalized coping skills for managing potential triggers.
Finding peace in a media-filled world can feel overwhelming when certain content brings up difficult memories. Media strategies can help you take control of what you see and engage with online, allowing you to protect your well-being while staying connected to what matters most.
Media And Sexual Trauma: How Survivors Can Safeguard Their Mental Health
Sexual trauma often leaves profound impacts on survivors, affecting numerous aspects of daily life—including physical and mental well-being. The effects can persist for years, creating challenges with trust, relationships, and overall health. If you or someone you care about has experienced sexual trauma, encountering online media, television, or news stories that discuss this topic or similar themes can be triggering. Having strategies to protect yourself while using the internet or consuming other types of media may help you avoid potential mental health distress or difficult emotional responses.
The impacts of sexual trauma on survivors
Sexual trauma is one of the most impactful types of adverse experiences and unfortunately one of the most common, especially for those who identify as women. According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), an American is sexually assaulted in some way every 68 seconds. Sexual assault encompasses sexual harassment, non-consensual sexual touch, rape, incest, and other forceful or coercive sexual or suggestive acts. RAINN reports that one in six young women are survivors of rape, and one in 33 men are male survivors of rape. Additionally, over 63,000 children annually experience sexual abuse.
Sexual trauma can lead to numerous mental health challenges. Common diagnoses among survivors include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD (C-PTSD). Both conditions can cause symptoms like avoidance, hypersensitivity, and signs of reliving or remembering the trauma. For this reason, survivors may be particularly sensitive to media involving sexual trauma topics—although this sensitivity can exist even in those without a diagnosable trauma-related disorder.
How media can be triggering to survivors of sexual trauma
According to RAINN, media can be both important and detrimental to the healing journey of sexual trauma survivors. In some cases, media spreads awareness about this topic, which can increase understanding that resources are available. These stories may also help reduce the stigma around seeking help.
However, media can also be triggering, reminding survivors of traumatic experiences and causing distress when using social media platforms or engaging with other content. Some people may experience flashbacks, anxiety, panic attacks, sadness, irritability, depression, anger, rage, and other responses to encountering this media. Even content that supports healing and growth can sometimes be triggering simply by mentioning the topic. For this reason, having strategies to regulate and control your media usage can be beneficial for your mental health.
Tips for survivors on consuming content
Below are tips inspired by information shared by RAINN, designed to help sexual trauma survivors take control of their media usage and reduce triggers.
Check the trigger warnings before consuming media
Before watching television shows, videos, or movies, you can research the title on sites like Does the Dog Die. Resources like this list all the trigger warnings and potentially disturbing themes that appear in these forms of media, including whether sexual trauma occurs or is discussed. By checking beforehand, you may prevent yourself from seeing scenes that could trigger flashbacks or other unwanted symptoms.
Relying solely on a film’s rating may not be sufficient, as even PG-13 rated films may include mentions of sexual content, abuse, and similar topics. Look for trigger warnings at the beginning of articles, podcasts, and social media posts as well.
Avoid content that frequently involves sexual trauma narratives
Certain types of media are more likely to involve sexual trauma storylines or reports, such as crime documentaries, news channels, explicit music, and social media accounts dedicated to abuse or human rights issues. News reports and other content related to these stories are often dramatized or depicted in potentially harmful ways that rely on stigmatizing social norms. While working through your healing journey, you might consider temporarily avoiding media representations of real sexual violence stories, unfollowing accounts that post about them on social media, and being selective about the music you listen to.
Set boundaries on social media surrounding sexual trauma content
You have control over how you use your social media accounts. You can set boundaries online by unfollowing or blocking people who post about uncomfortable topics or make inappropriate jokes. You can report offensive videos while scrolling on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Many platforms offer options like “Don’t show me content like this,” which may help prevent similar content from appearing in your feed. Consider avoiding comment sections on posts about sexual trauma and other sensitive issues, as these often contain triggering remarks.
Only follow people you know or trust
Another way to set boundaries on social media is by only following those you trust or know personally. Keep your profile private and limited to people you know. You might ask close friends to be mindful about tagging you in or sharing certain content—though this isn’t foolproof, as you can’t control others’ online behavior. Instead, focus on following positive accounts that promote healing, wellness, and mental health.
Practice internet safety
Practicing internet safety may help prevent exposure to triggering content. Use websites you’re familiar with and understand how to navigate. Utilize safety filters on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Tumblr to prevent adult content from appearing unexpectedly.