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Dealing with Trauma of Sexual Assault

The aftermath of sexual assault can be a lonely and traumatic experience. You may feel shocked, confused, overwhelmed or unprepared to deal with the many emotions that arise in you. You may find that you can't eat, can't sleep or that you're afraid to do things that once came naturally. This could affect your life at home, work, and in social situations.

Know that these are all normal reactions to sexual assault and that you’re not alone. This guide will help you understand your trauma and can help you take your first steps towards recovery.

We must not be confused about who is responsible. Nothing you did or did not do gives another person the right to assault you. Nothing.

Why did this happen to me?

This is a common question that you may ask yourself. You may continually review the sequence of events and wonder how you might have handled the situation differently. But one of the oldest and most persistent misunderstandings about sexual assault is that the victim was in some way to blame for the offense.

Sexual assault is not the consequence of your behavior. You may have been going about your daily routine and were the victim of a random attack. Or more commonly, you may have trusted someone you knew, and that trust was violated. You are not able to control the actions of others and without question, the person responsible for the assault is the assailant. Recovery from sexual assault trauma progresses faster when you and your support systems understand this.

Stages of recovery

While no two people react to a sexual assault in the same way, certain patterns are common, including the following “Stages of Recovery.”

  1. 1

    Immediate or acute phase

    Days to weeks after the assault. During the first days following an assault, you may feel stunned, dazed, shocked and a sense of numbness. You may try to block out the experience, but eventually it may be impossible to suppress your feelings, and a time of considerable distress may follow. During this acute phase you may experience anxiety, sleeping and eating pattern disturbances, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, mood swings and fears about your personal safety. There may be feelings of guilt, self-blame, shame, and anger. There may also be physical reactions, like pain in a specific body area that was involved in the assault. You may even feel out of control, as if you are "going crazy." It’s important to know that this is a normal reaction to trauma and it will subside.

  2. 2

    Outward adjustment phase (weeks to months after the assault)

    During this phase, you may feel ongoing fear related to the assault, such as fear of being alone, anxiety or heightened alertness. You may change your routines, spend less time outside your home or avoid being alone. Nightmares or intrusive memories may occur, along with feelings of guilt, shame or self-blame. Some people also experience changes in sexual health, including avoidance of sex, difficulty with arousal or flashbacks during intimacy.

  3. 3

    Integration/resolution phase (months to years following the assault)

    You may notice that symptoms from earlier phases continue or overlap into this stage. Common long-term effects include concerns about personal safety, anxiety and intrusive memories, though images, dreams and strong feelings often become less frequent. As you begin to integrate the experience, you may feel more cautious and aware. Over time, you can find a new way of being in the world. While you may feel changed, you are not diminished. With the right support, many people discover new strengths and insights.

When will I feel like myself again?

Recovery from sexual assault varies for each person, so it’s hard to predict how long it may take to feel like yourself again. Every experience is unique. While the trauma may not be forgotten, it can be processed and put into perspective. Time alone does not heal all wounds, but there are steps you can take to support your healing:

Steps to recover from the trauma of sexual assault

  • Acknowledge your feelings are real and legitimate. Your thoughts and feelings are not crazy, irrational or non-existent.

  • Be open to reaching out to your family, friends, a Sex Abuse Treatment Center (SATC) crisis counselor or therapist and other willing professionals for information and support. Be willing to ask as specifically as possible for the support you need.

  • Be mindful to take care of your total self. Be aware of what you can do to strengthen yourself physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

  • Learn to relax when you are feeling tense and frightened. If you need help in this area, your aid at SATC knows techniques to help you relax and work through your fears.

  • See yourself as capable of recovering. Take pride in the steps you are taking to help yourself.

  • Give yourself time to feel better.

Get Help Now

  • Hotline Services

    If you, a friend or a family member has been sexually assaulted, call us for help. Trained SATC crisis workers are on duty 24 hours a day and 7 days a week to provide confidential support, information and advocacy.

  • Medical Care

    Medical care following a sexual assault is important even if you have no visible injuries. Medical Care is available to adults and minors, females and males.

  • Crisis Counseling

    A sexual assault can be a devastating physical and emotional experience. Dealing with the trauma of a sexual assault can be difficult as many emotions arise.

  • Clinical Therapy

    The SATC provides individual and family therapy, victim support services and legal systems advocacy for children, adolescents and adults. We have experienced professional therapists to help with your healing.