Will I Survive? Navigating PTSD After Sexual Trauma

Response to Violence and Victimization is an advanced continuing education training designed for mental health professionals
“It was just one bad night,” many survivors tell themselves after experiencing sexual assault. However, sexual assault is far more than “just a bad night.” Survivors often experience long-term psychological, emotional, and physiological effects that can significantly impact daily functioning and overall mental health. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), 94% of women experience symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within two weeks after rape, and 33% contemplate suicide following the assault. This training explores the lasting effects of sexual trauma, the realities of PTSD, and pathways toward healing and recovery. Participants will examine trauma-informed approaches, survivor advocacy, and evidence-based interventions, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), while learning practical skills to support survivors in clinical and community settings.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
1. Describe the signs and impacts of PTSD and sexual trauma on the brain, body, and nervous system.
2. Identify common myths and stigmas surrounding sexual violence and PTSD.
3. Recognize the value of survivor voices in promoting empathy and trauma-informed responses.
4. Demonstrate foundational principles of trauma-informed care that support survivor safety and healing.
5. Summarize the purpose and application of EMDR in treating sexual trauma and PTSD.
6. Apply practical techniques to support survivors in real-world settings.
7. Identify advocacy efforts, legal protections, and community resources available to survivors.
8. Demonstrate ways to support prevention efforts and promote survivor advocacy within the community.
Presented by: Sarra Lashab, LCSW, Founder of Healing Loudly, LLC and Advocate for Project Help
VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual presentation. Participants must be visible (video on) throughout the presentation and will be awarded 2 LIVE WEBINAR CE.
2 hour of CE provided: Delta Family Counseling is approved by the Florida Department of Health under Fl Statute 49I to offer continuing education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors.