Often, these acts occur while the victim is in a deep sleep, incapacitated by alcohol, drugs, or a medical condition.

It wasn’t a metaphorical box. It was a fireproof, locked safe in the back of her closet, inside a manila folder. Inside the folder were police reports that went nowhere, photographs of bruises she had learned to conceal with high-necked sweaters, and a journal where she wrote down the things that were too dangerous to say out loud.

To prevent sleep-related sexual assault, individuals can take steps such as:

If the assault was committed by a known partner—especially one claiming a medical issue like sexsomnia—the victim may experience intense confusion, guilt, or doubt about their own perception of the event. Seeking Help and Support

This campaign utilized short audio clips. Survivors recorded one minute of the sounds they heard during their assault (a doorknob rattling, a ticking clock) followed by one minute of the sounds of their healing (a therapist’s voice, laughing with friends). This auditory narrative bypasses visual defenses and creates a visceral, memorable experience.

: Conducted in specialized clinics to record brain waves and detect abnormal NREM sleep patterns.