🫏 So you want to write a character with sexual trauma .... A contributive thread

What do you mean by "contributive thread"? This means that you should not only read the main thread, but the replies as well. It's important to remember that no single voice of any demographic represents the entire group. Some opinions will disagree or contradict each other

We want to encourage people to share whatever perspectives they may have on this matter, as no one is a monolith, especially in discussions of something as subjective as media analysis.

The first, and I mean very first, thing you should do, when representing any group, even one that you're a part of, is RESEARCH! Read, listen, watch, etc about the given group. Learning is so important! But, how do I get access to resources? Many ways!

- Advocacy networks and groups like http://RAINN.org , http://SNAPnetwork.org , http://voiceforthekids.com , and more usually have resources relating to these issues. Many more support groups like this exist. Some publish studies, or just have helpful information.

- Get a library card! It's free, and you get tons of access - Forums, YouTube videos, blogs, and more discussing personal experiences are also valuable - It is important to use your judgement and to not take everything you read at face value.

- Look into media you see victims vocally connecting with. There will also be a list at the end. We are discussing the creation of fiction, after all! - Even looking into what victims call "bad" rep can be helpful, as you can learn what you personally want to avoid doing

Things to keep in mind - Don't write with the intention of making everyone happy. Some will connect with what you make, and others won't, and that's fine. This especially applies to writing victims. Some will heavily relate to the character while others despise them. Example:

- Developing politics and opinions on SV will help make the work more realistic. It is never an issue about individuals, but rather a system. As long as global rape culture persists, it will never, ever be about a few bad people and a handful of victims. It affects billions.

- Anyone regardless of gender, class, etc. can fall victim to or perpetrate SV. - Think about the reality of SV, and what forms of it are most common in the real world, vs what types of SV are typically depicted in fiction. Majority of irl cases, the abuser is close to the victim

- If you are gravitating more towards one type of SV because you perceive it as "the worst", or have existing beliefs on why or how it happens, question why you have those ideas for a moment, and check the facts. Now, some potential guiding questions to help you out

- Why do I want to include this in a story? What purpose does it serve? - How does it connect to the central themes? - How does it specifically affect the character? - How will I represent it? How important to the story will it be?

Experiences and themes you can cover: - loss in trust, fractured relationships with others - disconnection from body, from self, from world - complex relationship with sex/sexuality (sex repulision+hypersexuality, especially when comorbid) - Isolation + Alienation

- loss of autonomy - Mental health: Disorders/symptoms arising from SV include but aren't limited to: depression, PTSD/CPTSD, DID, OSDD, OCD, cluster B personality disorders, DP/DR, psychosis, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, dissociation, self harm, suicidality

- The physical effects of SV can drastically vary. Bruising, burning, internal bleeding/tearing, disability, infections, STDs/STIs, pregnancy, bone injury, concussions... are all very real consequences, and things people may have to deal with for the rest of their lives.

Additional questions/things to keep in mind - Remember that it is very normal for people to see their experiences in "bad" representation. not only should you learn what "bad" rep gets wrong, but even more importantly what they get right!

- It would be ideal if, even if the character is not the main focus, that they don't feel "slapped onto" the story or like an afterthought. incorporate the themes of their story and make sure they make sense. - You do not need to make some all encompassing magnum opus,-

it'd make sense to encourage the opposite. Extensive writing on this subject for anyone can fuck with your mental health. Being uncomfortable is normal, but do not drive yourself crazy. - Just. Write a character. Some people have a hard time separating any aspect of-

their life from their trauma, and simply telling you to write a marginalized character "like any other" isn't helpful. But ask questions about them. What movies do they quote on a daily basis? What's their sense of humor? What food makes them feel at home?-

What are their hobbies? What music do they cry to?These are all very human questions. Maybe the answers are related to their experiences, but maybe they aren't. Either is fine. But this is as much just a general writing tip as it is anything else

Anyways, finally, a list of media that the mods feel personally resonate with them: Umineko: When They Cry Twin Peaks The Handmaiden (2016) Shoujo Tsubaki (1992) Revolutionary Girl Utena Chainsaw Man Jing Wei Qing Shang Moral Orel Silent Hill 2+3 Perfect Blue (1997) -

Gunslinger Girl Tuca & Bertie Mouthwashing Rookie (2023) Daughters of the Dust (1991) Interview With The Vampire (2022) Malice@Doll Lolita (THE BOOK) Berserk* (great with Guts, not great with most others)

Well, that about wraps it up! Feel free to give your own thoughts and opinions. If there are any direct questions people have, ask those too - 🫏

Additional things I’ve seen comments point out that were forgotten: - Though anyone can be a victim, certain communities/marginalizations can put people more at risk of it happening, and different aspects of identity can affect society or self image. Race, disability, class-

and weight can be major factors that put people at risk of SV. Gender, weight, age, additionally can affect how that abuse is seen by the wider public or even the self, or even acknowledged at all - Though yes, being abused can lead to becoming an abuser, this is over-

represented in media. Not that it doesn’t happen, but the implication that all sexual abusers were abused at some point is harmful and sets up the idea that unabused people are somehow less likely to offend in that way, which is simply untrue - There is debate on whether-

showing the actual abuse is OK or not. Personally (), I think it depends on the story you’re trying to tell and how you show it. If you do want to show it on screen, or be detailed, avoid making it glamorized, sexualized, or “pretty”. Make it claustrophobic, uncomfortable,-

horrifying… do not make it inviting. Do not show the victim being stared at by the camera like meat. Do not shoot it like porn. If you want to show it, make it as physically difficult to watch as possible because showing these things should be about empathy, not gawking

- Again, it all depends on the story you’re trying to tell. If you want it to be a main focus, that’s great. If you want it to be something that never even leaves the TV Bible, that is also great. There is a diversity in experiences. Do not ovwerwhelm yourself.