Who Does It Impact?
The sexual assault victim is the person most affected by this traumatizing experience; however, family, friends, co-workers and the community also experience the impact of sexual violence.
Each victim/survivor reacts to sexual assault differently, and though no one knows precisely how an individual will react, it is generally accepted that for most people sexual violence as a trauma of severe emotional, physical and spiritual violation.
It is important that survivors, friends, family and the community understand that these reactions are normal responses to the trauma of sexual assault.
Survivors may experience some of the following responses:
- Fear responses to reminders of the assault
- Pervading sense of anxiety, wondering if it’s possible to ever feel safe again
- Re-experiencing assault over and over again through flashbacks
- Problems concentrating and staying focused on the task at hand
- Guilty feelings
- Developing a negative self-image, feeling “dirty” inside or out
- Depression
- Disruptions in close relationships
- Loss of interest in sex
Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS), first identified by Ann Burgess and Lynda Holmstrom, describes the physical, emotional and mental responses that sexual assault victims experience as a result of the extreme fear and stress of victimization and is a form of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
PTSD is a normal human reaction to an extreme or abnormal situation. Each person has a different threshold for what is perceived as a traumatic event. PTSD is not a rare or unusual occurrence, in fact, many people experience PTSD as a result of a traumatic experience such as rape or sexual assault.[i]
There are many resources of excellent information about the impact of sexual assault on victims, including RTS and PTSD. The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) and Rape Victim Advocates are helpful places to begin.
Fear and anxiety cause physical, mental and behavioral reactions, all of which may lead the assault survivor to feel as though he or she has no control over daily life. Regaining a sense of choice and control is primary for anyone who has experienced the total loss of control that is at the core of sexual assault.
Family/Friends
It is normal for family and friends to feel confused, upset and angry and have many of the same responses the survivor may experience. At a time when you want most to help the survivor through this crisis, you will be dealing with a crisis of your own. You may have some of the following responses:
- Wishing that the survivor could have prevented it
- Finding it difficult to listen when the survivor needs to talk
- Trying to “make” the survivor talk when she/he is not ready
- Being tempted to make decisions for the survivor
- Being over-protective
- Trying to hide the assault from others or telling others about the assault without the survivor’s permission
- Trying to resolve the crisis quickly, to “fix it”
Other people may not understand the importance of the survivor’s making her/his own decisions and regaining control over her/his life. Not understanding the reality of sexual assault can make the crisis more difficult for you and the survivor.
Supporting a Sexual Assault Victim
Victims of sexual assault need someone who can hear what they say without blame or judgment: listen and believe.
Sexual assault survivors temporarily lost every ounce of power and control. They regain that power by making decisions for themselves.
Give information, provide options and support their ability to make decisions.
[i] www.rainn.org