Thunder Bay Sexual Abuse & Sexual Assault Counselling & Crisis Centre
385 Mooney Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5L5

Tel: (807) 345-0894
Fax: (807) 344-1981
Toll Free: 1-866-311-5927
Email:

Services are Available for Victims / Survivors : Psychological Effects of Sexual Assault

Although no two sexual assaults are the same nor do two survivors feel the same, there is a wide range of extremely upsetting reactions and feelings resulting from sexual assault. It is important for a survivor of sexual assault to realize that these reactions and feelings are normal.

  • SHOCK AND NUMBNESS. Initially wondering what to do first and whom to inform.
  • ANGER. A victim may feel anger, both at the rapist and the world in general, and take their anger out on those she loves.
  • GUILT. Guilty feelings that the assault was their fault and a fear that they did not do enough to fight off the attacker.
  • FEAR. A fear that the rapist will return; a fear of men; a fear of going out alone, and of dating situations.
  • DIRTINESS. Feeling damaged and unclean, and perhaps wanting to take many showers or baths.
  • LOSS OF TRUST. A survivor may lose her trust in others and also trust in her own ability to judge people’s character.
  • FEELINGS OF HELPLESSNESS. A survivor may feel helpless because it may seem she has lost control of her life and/or the situation.
  • SEXUAL PROBLEMS. The assault may impair the survivor’s ability to relate to a sexual partner in the future.
  • OTHER PHYSICAL PROBLEMS. These may include pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease as well as physical symptoms of stress, such as stomachaches, headaches, back problems, sleep disturbances or weight loss or gain.
  • DENIAL. A survivor may not want to talk about the assault. However, suppressing feelings does not eliminate them. The primary way to work through these feelings is to talk to someone.
  • FUTURE IMPACT. Only after a survivor has dealt with their feelings and fears will they regain a sense of control over their life. Victimization by sexual assault has been associated with a long term increased risk of mental and physical distress.

Things to Remember

  • IT IS NATURAL FOR YOU TO FEEL UPSET. Distress may take many forms. You may seem to feel nothing. You may experience headaches, nightmares, anxiety, sleeplessness, and sexual inhibitions. These are normal responses to rape.
  • YOU MUST LEARN TO NOT FEEL GUILTY. Guilt lies with the rapist.
  • IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN RAPED. Rape victims often wonder if they might have been able to prevent the rape if they had said or done something different, or perhaps fought harder.
  • YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SURVIVE. Giving in to a rapist may have been the only way to manage this.
  • IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO RESUME YOUR REGULAR ROUTINE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Proving to yourself that you’re back in charge will help you recover sooner.
  • IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SHARE YOUR FEELINGS. Talking with a sexual assault counsellor or someone you trust about your feelings can help you recover.