| Abstract |
Nicole describes several different traumatic experiences, some recent and some further in the past. Nicole was involved in a serious car accident; she was prescribed Oxycontin for her injuries. Today, Nicole refuses to revisit the street where the accident occurred and continues to have flashbacks triggered by sirens. In college, Nicole was sexually assaulted. Nicole describes the trauma of the sexual assault continuing after the incident when her two friends refused to believe her, taking the side of the perpetrator. Later, Nicole tried to report the sexual assault but found no support with authorities either saying she waited too long to report the crime or disbelieving her account. Nicole continues to have nightmares about the assault, still avoids going out alone in the evenings, and finds it hard to trust men. Nicole says she easily becomes on edge, especially when someone is right behind her. Nicole is often the victim of cat calling from men on the street, which causes her further anxiety. |
