There are many effects the victim of sexual assault may experience. They may include:

• Common fears and phobias
  • The fear experienced during the attack does not automatically disappear afterwards. The illusion that you are safe from sexual assault has been  shattered.
  • It is common to become fearful of circumstances, places/situations resembling the attack. For example, some people develop a fear of going out, being at home; being in a crowd, fear of sex, and fear of the attacker’s sex (female/male).
• Shock
  • Most people who have been sexually assaulted experience shock. There are many ways that shock may be expressed.
  • You may appear calm and void of emotion. The calm may indicate you are unable or unwilling to address other feelings at this time. It also may just be your way of responding to trauma you experienced.
  • At the other extreme, you may be shaking, crying, laughing or unable to think clearly.
• Powerlessness/loss of control
  • People who have been sexually assaulted usually experience feelings of powerlessness and loss of control; since the attack signifies to the victim powerlessness and that your wishes have no significance.
  • As a result, you may have difficulty in making decisions because the assault left you feeling worthless and invalid.
  • Therefore, it is important for you to regain control over his/her sexuality, actions and to make your own decisions in order to regain the power and control, which was denied or taken away during the assault.
• Shame
  • Some people experience a sense of shame and may feel that being sexually assaulted marks them or makes them dirty/soiled in some way.
  • They may repeatedly wash themselves. Feeling dirty can also extend into the home, especially if that is where the attack occurred.
  • Men may feel that assumptions have been or will be made about their sexuality and may even start to question themselves.

• Guilt
  • Experience shows that most people who are sexually assaulted feel a degree of guilt.  For example: You may find yourself thinking of how you could always think of something they should have done to stop the attack.
  • The legal system, family, and friends who may ask questions such as “why didn’t you scream” often reinforce this feeling of guilt. Asking “why” in such circumstances can often imply guilt.
• Anger
  • Reaction to a culmination of many different feelings: revenge, frustration, powerlessness, impatience or anger at yourself for not having avoided the attack.
    • Anger is a positive and natural reaction to sexual assault. Many people however, shift the blame of the assault from the attacker to themselves.
    • This means that you are transferring the anger onto yourself instead of the assailant.

• Grief and Loss
  • Many victims feel sad about how the sexual assault changed their life and the lives of their loved ones.
  • You may feel like you have lost something you may never get back.

• Reliving The Assault
  • Survivors often have unwanted thoughts about the attack. It is common to experience nightmares about the sexual assault.
  • You may have very vivid images of the sexual assault, known as flashbacks, which can make you feel as if you are relieving the attack again.
• Hyper-Vigilance (startled response)
  • After being assaulted, you may feel like you always have to be alert in order to stay safe.
  • You may feel jumpy, shaky, or easily startled by sudden noises. You may also have a feeling of always being in danger.
• Avoidance
  • Many survivors try to avoid any reminders of the assault.
  • Victims may try to push away painful feelings or memories of the assault.
  • Blocking the feelings may lead to feeling numb even about pleasant thoughts.
• Depression
  • It is normal to experience feelings of sadness, hopelessness and depression after an assault.
  • You may experience mood swings and cry often.
  • Some people lose interest in people and/or activities or they once enjoyed.
• Lowered Self-Image
  • Many survivors feel worse about themselves after the assault.
  • It is common to experience self-blame, guilt and shame.
• Changes In Your Feelings About Sex
  • After a sexual assault, it is normal for victims to question their sexuality or their desire to be sexual again.
  • Sex itself is a reminder of the assault and they may not want to have any sexual contact for a period of time.