What to do if you do not remember the assault/abuse

Here are a few important things to remember:

• No matter what, the sexual assault was not your fault
• The responsibility of the assault falls on the offender, not the survivor
• Your feelings, emotions, thoughts, and physical changes are common responses to a traumatic event
• You may or may not experience trauma symptoms. 
• Sexual Assault/Abuse is a crime, you are a survivor of the crime. You have rights in Illinois.
• You cannot consent to sexual activity while under the influence
• A person under the age of 17 cannot consent to sexual activity
• Recovery takes time. 

What to do:

Trauma has a way of changing our brain. During a traumatic event, you can go into freeze, flee, or fight mode. Depending on how your brain goes into survival mode, you may forget exactly what happened during the traumatic event. Some survivors may remember every detail of the event, some may remember bits and pieces, and some may not be able to remember anything. Below is a video that discusses Trauma and the Brain.

If you believe you were drugged, you have the right to a toxicology report when visiting the emergency room after an assault. If you were under the influence during the assault, please remember that you cannot consent to sexual activity while under the influence.

It can feel confusing and may be frusturating if you are unable to remember every detail that happened during the traumatic event. Memories might come back to you overtime in the form of flashbacks, nightmares, or triggers. Our 24/7 Crisis Hotline is here to listen and provide support during these hard moments. We also have trauma informed counselors who are able to work with you through these hard moments and provide long term support.