Since every person and situation is different, victims of sexual assault will respond
to an assault in different ways. Many factors can influence an individual's response
to, and recovery from, sexual assault. These may include the age and developmental
maturity of the victim; the social support network available to the victim; the victim's
relationship to the offender; the response to the attack by police, medical personnel
and victim advocates; the response to the attack by the victim's loved ones; the frequency,
severity, and duration of the system; community attitudes and values; and the meaning
attributed to the traumatic event by the sexual assault survivor (Koss & Harvey, 1991).
Some survivors of sexual assault will find they can recover relatively quickly, while
others will feel the lasting effects of their victimization throughout their lifetime.
Possible physical effects of sexual assault:
- Pain
- Vomiting
- Injuries
- Headaches
- Nausea
Possible emotional/psychological effects of sexual assault:
- Shock / Denial
- Diminished interest in activities or sexuality
- Irritability / anger
- Loss of self-esteem
- Depression
- Guilt /Shame / Embarrassment
- Social withdrawal
- Impaired memory
- Numbing / apathy /(detachment, loss of caring)
- Loss of appetite
- Restricted affect (reduced ability to express emotion)
- Suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide or death)
- Nightmares / flashbacks
- Substance abuse
- Difficulty concentrating
- Psychological disorders
Possible physiological effects of sexual assault:
- Hypervigilance (always being "on your guard")
- Insomnia
- Exaggerated startle response (jumpiness)
- Panic attacks
- Eating problems / disorders
- Self-mutilation (cutting, burning, or otherwise hurting oneself)
- Sexual dysfunction (not being able to conduct sexual activity)
- Hyperarousal (exaggerated feelings / responses to stimuli)
In addition to these effects, a survivor of sexual assault may develop Rape-Related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (RR-PTSD). According to the National Women's Study, nearly one-third of all rape victims develop RR-PTSD sometime during their lifetimes (National Center for Victims of Crime & Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center, 1992). PTSD is a mental health disorder primarily characterized by chronic anxiety, depression, and flashbacks, which develop after experiencing significant trauma such as combat, natural disaster or violent crime victimization. RR-PTSD is diagnosed by a mental health professional when the biological, psychological and social effects of trauma are severe enough to have impaired a survivor's social and occupational functioning (Allen, 1995, p169). For more information on RR-PTSD and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, refer to the Get Help Series bulletins, entitled Rape-related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.
Courtesy of the Domestic Violence and Abuse Center