FAQ: If You Are a Rape or Sexual Assault Survivor

If you do not have visible physical injuries from the assault, friends and family may think you are okay. Many people do not understand the extent of trauma endured by rape and sexual assault victims. Your body may look fine, but you still need time for emotional and spiritual healing.

As time passes, you may have a variety of feelings, thoughts, and reactions to what has happened--most rape and sexual assault victims do. At times, you may feel guilty about what happened, even though you did nothing wrong. You may feel shocked that something so terrible could have happened to you, and sometimes you may even pretend or deny that it happened at all. You may feel embarrassed that you are a victim of rape or sexual assault, and you may worry that people you do not want to know will find out what happened.

At times, you may feel very angry--angry at the person who hurt you, angry at the police and court system for not doing enough about what happened to you, angry at your family and friends for not understanding, and maybe even angry at the world for letting such a terrible thing happen. Sometimes you may feel depressed or hopeless and lack interest in people or things you once enjoyed.

You may experience changes in your eating and sleeping patterns. You may have nightmares or flashbacks about the assault or rape. Certain sounds, smells, or other sensory experiences may trigger these feelings and fears. You may be afraid of being alone, or you may fear being in crowds. You also may fear that the offender may have infected you with a sexually transmitted disease, such as HIV/AIDS, or that you may become pregnant.

Whatever your reactions or fears may be, support and help are available for you. Local rape crisis or sexual assault program staff will assist you, regardless of whether you decide to report the assault to the police.

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