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Impact of Sexual Assault
Common Emotional and Physical Responses to Sexual Assault Include:
- Sleeplessness
- Inability to concentrate in class or function at a usual level
- Overeating or appetite loss
- Nightmares
- Loss of self confidence
- Stress related illness
- Feelings of grief and despair
- Fear of being alone, or with people, or in a specific setting, especially at night
- Anxiety and mood swings
- Flashbacks
- Feelings of guilt and shame
- Feelings helplessness
- Denial of the assault
- Embarrassment
- Distrust towards others
If the sexual assault is repressed, these emotions tend to linger or come to full surface at a later time.
Common Victim Reactions to Sexual Assault
Recognize that healing from sexual assault takes time. Give yourself the time you need. Many different reactions are understandable and do not mean you are “going crazy.” You may also find yourself reliving the incident, trying to find an alternative response or different outcome. You may see these possibilities in retrospect (now that the immediate danger has passed), but do not forget the reality of what happened. During the assault you were powerless and in a state of fear. Always remember you are not to blame and that your actions were understandable given the potentially life-threatening circumstances of the assault. Abrupt changes in mood are common. You may feel you are overreacting to normal everyday problems and then become angry with yourself. Remember your reactions are normal responses to a terrifying life- threatening experience.
- Anger: I want to kill him.
- Anxiety: I’m having panic attacks. I can’t breathe. I just can’t stop shaking. I can’t sit still in class anymore. I feel overwhelmed.
- Denial: It wasn’t really a “rape”.
- Depression: How am I going to get through this semester? I’m so tired. I feel so helpless. Maybe I’d be better off dead.
- Disbelief: Did it really happen? Why Me? Maybe I just made it up.
- Disorientation: I don’t even know what day it is, or what class I’m supposed to be in. I keep forgetting things.
- Embarrassment: What will people think? I can’t tell my family or friends.
- Emotional Shock: I feel so numb. Why am I so calm? Why can’t I cry?
- Fear: I’m scared of everything. What if I am pregnant? Could I get an STD or even AIDS? How can I ever feel safe again? Do people know there is anything wrong? I can’t sleep because I know I’ll have nightmares. I am afraid I am going crazy.
- Guilt: I feel as if it’s my fault, or did something to make this happen. If only I had…
- Powerlessness: Will I ever feel in control again?
- Sexual Relationship Suffers: Many women find it difficult to feel sexual or have sexual relationships. This is especially true for women who have been sexually assaulted, since in addition to the lack of trust, sex itself is a reminder of the assault.
- Shame: I feel so dirty, like there is something wrong with me. I want to wash my hands or shower all the time.
- Triggers: I keep having flashbacks. I’m still re-living it. I see his face all the time.
Source: Foa, Edna. Treating the Trauma of Rape. The Guilford Press. 1998. p.128.
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