What are the consequences of a sexual assault?
A person can experience multiple consequences following a sexual assault.
Possible psychological consequences :
- Feeling different, crazy or abnormal.
- Blaming, hating or doubting yourself
- Suspicion, fear and feelings of betrayal
- Negative attitude towards your sexuality and your body
- Repressed or denied emotions
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Phobia, hyper-vigilance
- Sadness and depression
- Anger, rage
- Feeling ashamed, guilty
- Loss of self-esteem
- Suicidal ideas or suicide attempts
- Confusion about one’s sexual orientation
- Auto-destructive behaviors (self-harm)
Possible physical consequences :
- Digestive and intestinal complications
- Psychosomatic problems
- Low response to one’s physical needs (food, hygiene, etc…)
- Gynaecological complications
- Sleep problems, insomnia
- Headhaches, nausea
- Physical injuries (bruises, fractures, back problems)
- Sexual dysfunctions
- HIV, STI-STD
- Non-desired pregnancy
- Muscular pain
Possible social consequences :
- Prostitution
- Intense or absent sexual activity
- Fear of being alone
- Social isolation
- Feeling awkward in social activities
- Change or termination of an employement or at school
- Loss of confidence towards others
- Withdrawal from the family, placement into foster family
Possible consequences for mental health :
- Hallucinations (auditory, visual and tactile)
- Confusion/disorientation
- Loss of memory
***There are many possible consequences and even some that we haven’t identified here. Following a sexual assault, you can experience many consequences. Keep in mind that they are all normal. What isn’t normal is the assault itself.***
