Late identification and redefining the traumatised self following sexual violence

[First lines]
Autistic experience is frequently misaligned with surrounding neuro-normative societal expectations. Sexual violence, sadly a common experience for too many of us, distorts our reality and risks impacting our definition of ourselves. This has long-term consequences in terms of our ability to trust ourselves and others, and our perception of the surrounding world. Late identification made me evaluate the perspectives of my own experiences of violence. I have come to understand that there is an urgent and significant need for trauma-informed support, based on the narratives of autistic individuals. Through listening to autistic experiences of sexual assault and working towards amplifying our voices, I am fighting to help reclaim the definition of our traumatised selves.