Common Reactions to Sexual Violence
Some common psychological, emotional, and physical reactions to sexual violence:
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Shock and disbelief. Survivors may feel emotionally numb and even begin to wonder if it really happened or why.
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Fear and powerlessness about personal safety.
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Embarrassment and shame.
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Guilt. Survivors may believe they did something to make this happen or that it is somehow their fault.
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Depression and loss of motivation to continue with everyday life. In particular, the impact on survivors’ ability to continue with school can leave them feeling exhausted and helpless.
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Anxiety. Survivors may begin to experience panic attacks or phobias and have difficulty sitting still.
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Intrusive memories or flashbacks of the assault. Survivors may continue to see the victimizer’s face, hear his or her voice, or be triggered by a smell.
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Nightmares. Survivors may experience dreams where they relive the traumatic experience.
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Physical symptoms of stress. Survivors may be easily startled and may have tension headaches, muscle aches, and stomach or digestive problems.
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Relationship concerns: issues of trust and sexual intimacy may develop.
Helping those who have experienced sexual violence
Survivors of sexual assault are likely to seek support from their friends and loved ones. They may disclose experiences of sexual violence to you right after the incident or many years later. It can be difficult to know how to support a survivor of sexual violence, and it’s normal for you to have a strong emotional response to learning about a loved one’s trauma. It’s important to remember that there is no timeline for healing and that it’s up to the survivor to make any decisions about how to move forward.
There are ways to help your loved one, regardless of your relationship to the survivor.