Impacts of Sexual Assault
Phases following Sexual Assault
Victims of sexual assault may go through certain phases. The order and intensity of these phases will vary depending on the women’s personal experience and the specific nature of the sexual assault. Each phase describes possible physical, psychological, and behavioural reactions that a survivor may have experienced in the past, is currently experiencing, or will experience in the future.
During the assault
Many survivors wonder if their reactions during the assault are normal. Some try to fight back, some scream, some are silent and freeze. All of these reactions are normal: you can’t predict how you will react if you are sexually assaulted. Many people don’t understand their reaction and may even feel ashamed of it. Sexual assault is a profound attack on our sense of security and our physical and psychological integrity, and it can make us experience different feelings:
- fear of dying
- being paralyzed by fear
- fear of being killed if they fight back
- strong physical reactions
- feelings of captivity and powerlessness
- feeling like being in a nightmare
- feeling that the abuser is personally angry with us
- etc.
Period of shock
The period of shock is generally associated with the most intense phase. In the hours or days following the sexual assault, a range of conflicting and changing emotions (e.g., euphoria to depression) may occur. The first reaction to the shock is disorganization of daily life. Women may find it difficult to carry out their usual actions (going to bed at night, driving around their neighborhood alone, driving their car, cooking meals, working, etc.). Intense and painful feelings may arise: extreme fear, terror, irritability, anger, repetitive and unpleasant memories, disbelief, guilt, shame, feeling misunderstood, feelings of loss of integrity, etc.
The duration of this period seems to be determined, among other things, by the quality of the support that the women receive. In addition, the help that women’s centres, for example, can provide at this stage can be helpful and liberating. It is important at this stage to make practical decisions, such as visiting a doctor, taking time off work or school, whether or not to report the sexual assault to the police, making an appointment with a social worker, etc.
Period of readjustment
This period is marked by a desire to return to a “normal” life. Women realize that they have neglected certain areas of their lives (work, children, etc.) and they try to catch up. At this point, women have regained some apparent confidence. However, they may still experience many feelings of powerlessness such as anxiety, shame, guilt or develop fears that were previously non-existent (fear of being alone, fear of crowds, fear of people who look like the aggressor, etc.). A woman may return to her former activities, with a few more habits (double-locking the doors of the house, having a drink at night, jumping at the slightest shrill noise, etc.). These habits, good or bad, are measures that women adopt to survive psychologically to this traumatic situation. Some women may also try to regain control of their lives by moving, changing jobs or phone numbers, limiting or ending relationships that may be affecting their well-being, etc. It is important at this point that survivors are aware of the progress they have made so far.
Integration period
The integration period is characterized by the rebuilding of a new self. During this period, daily activities have returned to their normal routine. Nevertheless, women feel the need to shed light on their experiences in order to come to terms with the harmful thoughts and emotions associated with the sexual assault. They may still feel self-blame, such as guilt and shame, but usually anger at the abuser begins to take more space. Women who have been abused and who have been able to talk about their abuse, either to sympathetic people or to a support worker, are able to express their anger more quickly. Moreover, this anger leads to change and action. Finally, at this stage, women are slowly freeing themselves from the consequences of the violence.