Teens - Date/Acquaintance Rape
THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
The experience of a sexual assault has different meanings for each person. No one knows precisely how an individual will react because each persons experience is unique. The victim’s reaction generally depends on:
- Type of sexual assault
- Amount of force used
- Relationship of victim to perpetrator
- Coping skills of the victim
- Support for the victim from family and friends
COMMON REACTIONS TO A SEXUAL ASSAULT
EMOTIONAL SHOCK:
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I feel so numb. Why am I so calm? Why can’t I cry? |
DISBELIEF:
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Did it really happen? Why me? |
EMBARRASSMENT:
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What will people think? No, I can’t tell my family. |
| SHAME: |
I feel so dirty, like there is something wrong with me now. I want to wash my hands all day long. |
GUILT:
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I feel as if I did something to make this happen to me.
If only I had… |
| DEPRESSION: |
How am I going to go on? I feel so tired and hopeless. |
POWERLESSNESS:
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Will I ever feel in control again? |
| DISORIENTATION: |
I can’t sit still. I’m having trouble getting through the day. I’m just overwhelmed!!! |
FLASHBACKS:
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I keep flashing back to memories of that day. I wish it would stop. |
DENIAL:
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Wasn’t it “just” rape? |
| FEAR: |
I’m afraid of so many things. Will I get pregnant, an STD or AIDS? Am I safe? Can people tell what has happened to me? Will I ever want to be intimate again? Will I get over this? I have nightmares that terrify me. |
ANXIETY:
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I’m a nervous wreck! I have trouble breathing. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. My stomach hurts. |
ANGER:
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I want to KILL him! |
Other victims may turn to drugs or alcohol, develop eating disorders, engage in self abusive behavior, become suicidal, stop going out at night for fear that another attack will happen, go out frequently in order to not have to think about what has happened, or seem to have no reaction at all. Remember, there is no “right” way to react after a sexual assault. Every person’s experience is different so every person’s reaction will be different.
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