Abstract
This narrative illustrates the lived experience of a specific form of sexual violence (stranger rape) and its resulting implications as experienced by the second author, which is discussed under the following headings: your body as a crime scene, how lived experience compares to the myth of the ‘real rape’ and the wellbeing and health consequences arising from the experience.
In their capacity as mental health nurses, the authors invite readers to consider the spoken, or more likely unheard stories of sexual violence, which are unfortunately commonplace among those who access mental health services. For professionals holding the privileged position of hearing these stories, there is a need to be reflective as to how fear, and personal or professionally held myths and stigmatising views of sexual violence, and by extension views towards the survivor, are carried into therapeutic spaces, and the implications these can have. Practical suggestions as to how to discuss and manage disclosure of sexual violence in the context of trauma informed care are also provided.