The Psychosocial Effects of Sexual Assault

Physical Effects: Can include chronic pelvic pain, gastroinstestinal disorders, back pain, migraines or headaches, nausea, gynecological and pregnancy complications, exposure to STDs and STIs and more.

Emotional Effects: Can include shock, fear, guilt, denial, shame, depression, flashbacks, self-blame, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder-Rape Trauma Syndrome and more.

Social Effects: Can include social isolation, avoidance of physical places or social situations where the assault took place, nervousness, withdrawal, relationship difficulties and more.

Physiological Effects: Can include sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, self-mutliation, hyper arousal, sleep distrubances, hyper vigilance and more.

Impact on Family and Friends: Can include grief, frustration, guilt, a sense of revenge, anger, confusion, denial and more.

Sexual Assault Effects Everyone