The Aftermath of Sexual Violence
Sexual assault is any form of sexual contact or behavior that takes place without the victim’s full consent. In many cases, it is an experience of deep trauma, which is not something to be taken lightly. Trauma has an astounding neurobiological effect on victims and causes long-term damage to their brains, nervous systems, and emotional life. This article will explore a few of the countless impacts that sexual assault and rape have on the bodies, brains, and psyches of its victims, because he more we know, the better equipped we are to understand, support, and empathize with victims in need.
Physical Impacts
The most obvious impacts of sexual assault and rape are the immediate results of violence — survivors may be bruised, bleeding, and in pain, sometimes bearing injuries such as broken bones. They may be short of breath, shaky and disoriented, or having difficulty walking. These signs can be general indicators that a person has just been sexually assaulted — however, some survivors may appear completely unscathed, but are nevertheless just as vulnerable to the less obvious long-term effects. These include changes to eating and sleeping patterns, chronic fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and in some cases of rape, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy. The mental struggles that result from sexual violence may also cause victims to turn to self-harm or substance abuse, further damaging their bodies. Most people are aware of the psychological damage that sexual violence inflicts, but it is important to learn about the long-term physical impacts it leaves on the body too.
Mental Impacts
Research suggests that sexual assault is the leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder in women. This disorder causes a person to relive their trauma through flashbacks and nightmares, while their brain attempts to protect itself from situations and thoughts that remind them of the traumatic experience. Survivors may become hypervigilant of their surroundings, emotionally numb, or may even experience amnesia and forget entire parts of the assault altogether. PTSD is often accompanied by long-term anxiety, panic attacks, and dissociation — another defense-mechanism of the brain that affects a person’s memory and sense of self. Shockingly, research has revealed that 30% of patients with eating disorders were sexually abused as children — this link between sexual violence disordered eating stems from the feelings of shame, lack of control, and disconnection from the body that countless victims experience. Depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts may also be prevalent as the victim battles thoughts of worthlessness.
Emotional Impacts
Lastly, sexual violence leaves survivors with emotional scars that may not have a diagnosis, but are no less disturbing to their well-being. Many victims of rape and sexual assault grapple with feelings of guilt, shame, and self-blame, especially if the perpetrator was someone they knew and trusted. These feelings not only exacerbate trauma, but often influence the victim to minimize the assault and feel reluctant to report what happened. This shame can also make victims feel “dirty” and unlovable, which may cause problems in their relationships — specifically trust and commitment issues, often paired with a fear of intimacy. Another common, but lesser-known response to sexual violence is extreme anger, especially in children and teens whose emotional skills are still developing — victims may feel angry at their offenders, the people who failed to protect them, themselves, or even just the world. To someone who already feels like they have lost control over their body, this anger can be debilitating, and feel like it is further taking over their life. Nothing can prepare a victim of sexual assault for the overwhelming emotional aftermath.
In conclusion, the effects of sexual violence are anything but temporary — they are deep, damaging scars that impact every aspect of a person’s life and may never fully heal. This applies to people of all ages and backgrounds, not just children and young people. Sexual assault is one of the only violent crimes in Canada that are on the rise, making it one of the society’s most pressing issues. This is why it is crucial to understand its effects, so that we are better prepared to love and support the victims in our lives.
Sources:
https://www.inspq.qc.ca/en/sexual-assault/understanding-sexual-assault/consequences
https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/trauma/trauma_eng.pdf
