May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to uplift conversations around trauma, healing, and the profound impact mental wellness has on our lives. But for survivors of sexual violence, mental health is not just a month-long theme—it’s a daily struggle that lives in the body, mind, and soul.
This year’s theme is: “Turn Awareness into Action” encouraging people to take an active role in their mental wellbeing. By taking an active role in one’s mental health, healing becomes a real option.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we are proud to represent survivors, not just in courtrooms but in their full and complex humanity. As we recognize Mental Health Month, we must confront an often-ignored truth: the traumatic aftermath of sexual abuse doesn’t end when the abuse stops—it echoes through relationships, sleep patterns, coping mechanisms, and one’s ability to trust the world.
The Trauma-Sexual Violence Link: Facts You Can’t Ignore
Sexual violence is a mental health crisis. Survivors face elevated risks for:
- PTSD: RAINN reports that 94% of women who are raped experience symptoms of PTSD during the two weeks following the assault.
- Depression: Survivors are 3 times more likely to suffer from major depression.
- Substance abuse: Many survivors turn to alcohol or drugs to numb their pain—coping mechanisms that can lead to addiction or early death.
- Suicide: Tragically, 33% of rape survivors contemplate suicide and 13% attempt it, according to the CDC.
The trauma can be even more complex for childhood sexual abuse survivors, who may not fully understand or disclose what happened to them until adulthood. This delay often complicates their ability to access help or seek justice.
Parents & Caregivers: You Are the Front Line of Prevention and Healing
Parents and caregivers play a critical role in both preventing abuse and helping young survivors heal. Here’s how you can help:
Recognize the Warning Signs
Children may not come forward directly. Be alert to:
- Sudden changes in behavior or mood
- Avoidance of certain people or places
- Regression (bedwetting, nightmares)
- Self-harming behaviors
- Withdrawal or isolation
Create a Safe Space to Talk
Children will often show you how they feel as their brain development has not let them communicate trauma and association feelings. Because of this, the best time to engage a child in hard conversations around their experience is when their brains are otherwise engaged in activity such as playing a game, coloring, or playing a sport.
Let children know they can tell you anything without fear of punishment or disbelief. Use age-appropriate conversations about body safety and consent. Reiterate often that it’s never their fault.
Seek Professional Help Early
A trauma-informed therapist can help survivors process their experiences and develop healthy coping tools. Don’t wait until a crisis hits—early intervention can save lives. In addition, here are resources to aide in daily healing:
- Nurture your spirit, here is a resource from Mental Health National on ways to spiritually heal.
- Journaling helps.
- Coloring is a great mindful activity
- Check in with yourself using this burnout worksheet
- Setting boundaries protects our peace, learn more
Model Resilience and Stability
Consistent routines, open communication, and unconditional support help create a sense of safety that trauma may have stripped away.
Civil Lawsuits: A Pathway to Justice and Mental Health Recovery
While therapy is a crucial part of healing, many survivors also find validation and empowerment through the civil legal process. Filing a lawsuit against perpetrators and the institutions that enabled abuse can help survivors:
- Reclaim their voice and agency
- Hold wrongdoers publicly accountable
- Receive compensation for therapy, lost wages, and emotional suffering
- Shine a light on systemic failures to protect others
Most importantly, civil lawsuits send a powerful message: what happened to you mattered—and those responsible will be held accountable.
For many survivors, justice is not just a legal outcome—it’s a vital part of healing.
We’re Here for You
At Andreozzi + Foote, we are trauma-informed attorneys committed to seeking justice for survivors of sexual violence. Whether the abuse occurred in a school, religious institution, sports program, or within the family—we will stand by your side.
Mental Health Awareness Month is a time to honor the stories and strength of survivors. If you or someone you love is struggling with the trauma of sexual abuse, know that you are not alone. We are here to help you pursue justice and support your healing journey.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation. 1-866-753-5458
Because mental health is justice. And justice is healing.
