“Besides, I was embarrassed of explaining the events prior to my assault, and thought people wouldn’t believe me,” she explains. Sabia Mwinyi, nurse in charge of the Gender Based Violence recovery centre at The Coast General Hospital, says after sexual trauma experience it is important to prioritise your safety. Sabia, who specialises in the clinical treatment of sexual violence survivors, says many survivors may be reluctant to pursue medical attention immediately after a sexual assault mainly due to the fear of being judged. SHOCKLynnette Odidi, a consultant psychologist and a mental health advocate based in Kisumu says normally after an assault, most victims experience shock. The importance of talking about the assault, she says, is to help in the healing process.

Source: Daily Nation December 30, 2019 12:56 UTC