 Healing Hearts – Frequently Asked Questions |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
| "For me, shame has been released in a fresh new way. I didn't even realize that I had shame but as I participated in a warm community where I could admit hard truths about myself and still be accepted - I experienced freedom." |
| For more information: phone the director of Healing Hearts support group at (224) 512-1730 or e-mail healinghearts@ willowcreek.org. |
Do I have to be a Christian to register for this workshop? Is this workshop confidential?
Yes. The group is designed to be a safe place. Each group member is required to sign a group covenant, emphasizing the importance of strict confidentiality. What exactly is sexual abuse and sexual assault?
Rape is an act of violence. Sexual assault uses sex as a weapon, a way to express hostility, anger, and a desire for power and control. Sexual assault and abuse does not occur by accident or on impulse. Date rape is not about miscommunications, mixed signals, or conflicting messages. It is about people who disregard what they see and hear and do it anyway. It's about control. Victims do not provoke their own abuse or rapes. The responsibility lies with the rapist/abuser, not the victim.
Surviving: Overview of Symptoms
Physical - eating disorders, sleep disturbances, nightmares, somatic illness, muscular tension, increased use of alcohol or drugs, digestive problems. Emotional - fear, shock, sense of unreality, sense of disbelief, numbness, depression, anxiety, guilt, shame, powerlessness, mood swings, anger, irritability, hopelessness, helplessness, low self-image, sadness, memory lapse.
What are the different levels of sexual contact?
Least Severe – Forced or unforced sexual kissing. Clothed sexual touching. Severe – Unclothed sexual touching (forced or unforced). Simulated intercourse. Very Severe – Intercourse (forced or unforced). Other various sex acts (forced or unforced). |