For me the core element of healing was accepting that I had worth. After the assault I felt unloveable, like my body only existed as something for other people to use, that I would never find comfort or enjoyment or pleasure from intimacy. That process had a stark turning point when I ended relationships and friendships with people who were clearly having a negative impact on me. While it was of course tough to end things with people who I had known for years, escaping my thoughts and behaviours, and the influence that those people had held over me, resulted in shockingly quick turnaround in how I felt about myself, my confidence, my value and my worth. I have also found it extremely cathartic to be able to connect with others in the LGBTQ community who have experienced something similar. The experience of being closeted and knowing the impact that disclosure can have is shared by many, and can be applied here. Having the experience of coming out, and of disclosing something that is inherent to you, and contrasting that against the experience of the assault which is not about you but instead is something done to you, was also incredibly helpful.