analysis Iâm a sexual assault counsellor. Hereâs why itâs so hard for survivors to come forward, and what happens when they do TueTuesday 2 When survivors report sexual assault, they are frequently met with more questions than support. ( Print text only Cancel As a senior sexual assault counsellor working with Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, I often sit across from people on the worst day of their life. The trauma of being sexually assaulted is an experience filled with violence. It transforms a person's sense of safety, their worldview and their relationships with others. When survivors come forward to disclose a sexual assault, they are frequently met with more questions than support in our communities. As a result, silence can be a form of survival.How should employers handle sexual harassment?