In which stage of sexual assault response do victims work toward understanding the trauma?

Victims of sexual assault often go through various stages in their healing process, and one of these stages is particularly focused on understanding and processing the trauma they have experienced. In the Integration stage, victims begin to make sense of their traumatic experiences and integrate them into their broader understanding of themselves and their lives. This involves cognitive and emotional processing, allowing them to create a narrative about their experience that helps them recover and move forward.

During this stage, individuals may reflect on the event, explore their feelings, and seek to understand how the trauma affects their identity and relationships. This integration is crucial as it contributes to the overall healing process, helping victims to cope with their feelings and regain a sense of control and agency in their lives.

The other stages mentioned, such as Acute Trauma, Suspended Belief, and Outward Adjustment, deal with different aspects of the immediate emotional responses and coping mechanisms following the assault. While they are important in the overall recovery journey, they do not specifically focus on the understanding and integration of trauma like the Integration stage does.