Welcome to Self-Work, I'm Dr. Margaret.

Today we're talking about sexual abuse and rape, so please listen very cautiously.

But first, a word from our sponsors.

This is Self-Work, and I'm Dr. Margaret Rutherford.

At Self-Work, we discuss psychological and emotional issues and what you can do about them,

whether that's learning self-acceptance, taking action, or seeking therapy or treatment.

Eight years ago, I extended the walls of my practice to reach those of you who might already be knowledgeable about middle health treatment, but also to those of you who might say you'd never darken the door of a therapist.

And yet, you are here. I'll answer your questions while I invite you to take a few minutes for your own self-work.

It was several sessions in when Tara began to open up, warn me, hopefully trusting that she was safe in whatever she had to tell me.

She asked if she told me something, would I have to report it to the police?

I answered no, unless there's imminent harm to someone in your

home or yourself. Welcome to this week's edition of self-work. Today we're talking about

sexual abuse to be more specific rape. So if you have any kind of history of abuse, which many

of you, I'm sure do, please listen

cautiously as the facts of the case could be highly triggering for you.

The numbers for international hotlines can be found in the show notes.

You may have heard about the French woman, Giselle Pelico, who was the victim of multiple

rapes by multiple men, including her husband, while drugged.

This occurred over many years.

All men were found guilty.

I know many men who are also appalled by what these men have done, and I've worked with male victims of sexual abuse as well.

Yet women live with this kind of fear every day, that the simplest of choices, like

...