Effects of Sexual Assault

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

 

Survivors of sexual assault may experience severe feelings of anxiety, stress or fear, known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as a direct result of the assault.

 

Substance Abuse

 

Victims of rape or sexual assault may turn to alcohol or other substances in an attempt to relieve their emotional suffering.

 

Self-Harm/Self-Injury

 

Deliberate self-harm, or self-injury, is when a person inflicts physical harm on himself or herself.

 

Stockholm Syndrome

 

Described as a victim’s emotional “bonding” with their abuser, Stockholm Syndrome develops subconsciously and on an involuntary basis.

 

Depression

 

There are many emotional and psychological reactions that victims of rape and sexual assault can experience. One of the most common of these is depression.

 

Sexually Transmitted Infections

 

- HIV/Aids

- Chlamydia

- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV or genital warts)

- Herpes

- Hepatitis B

- Syphilis

- Trichomonas  

 

Pregnancy

 

If you were recently raped, you may have concerns about becoming pregnant from the attack. If the rape happened a long time ago, you may have concerns about a pregnancy that resulted from the attack.    

 

Adult Effects of Childhood Sexual Assault

 

There may be long term effects on survivors of childhood sexual assault and/or abuse.

 

Sleep Disorders  


 

Many survivors of sexual assault suffer from sleep disturbances and disorders.  Eating Disorders Victims and survivors with eating disorders often use food and the control of food as an attempt to deal with or compensate for negative feelings and emotions.

 

Body Memories 

 

Body memories are when the stress of the memories of the abuse experienced by an individual take the form of physical problems that cannot be explained by the usual means.

 

Dissociative Identity Disorder

 

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously referred to as multiple personality disorder (MPD), is a dissociative disorder in which two or more separate and distinct identities (or personalities) control an individual's behavior at different times. 

 

Suicide 

 

If you are currently thinking about suicide, or know someone who is, please reach out for help.