The Effects of Rape and Sexual Abuse: Understanding the Emotional Impact
The emotional impact of rape and sexual abuse can be profound and long-lasting. Survivors often experience a range of intense emotions in response to the trauma they’ve endured. It’s important to remember that every survivor reacts differently, and there is no right or wrong way to feel after such an event. This page outlines some common emotional effects of rape and sexual abuse, as well as the challenges that survivors may face as they navigate their healing journey.
Common Emotional Effects of Rape and Sexual Abuse
Shock
It’s common for survivors to experience shock immediately following the trauma, and the event may feel unreal or dreamlike.
Some emotional responses to shock include:
Disbelief
The mind may not fully grasp the situation at first.
Numbness
A feeling of emotional detachment from reality.
Physical reactions
Shaking, crying, or even laughing in response to the trauma.
Slow comprehension
The understanding of what happened may come in waves, sometimes occurring long after the event.
Fear
Following trauma, it is common for survivors to feel a heightened sense of fear. These fears may be irrational, but they are real for the person experiencing them.
Some examples include:
Fear of recurrence
Worrying that the event will happen again.
Fear of death or harm
A deep sense of vulnerability and concern about personal safety.
Irrational fears
Fears that may seem unrelated but are still tied to the trauma.
Fear of rejection or disbelief
A common fear that others won’t believe you, or will blame you for what happened.
Anger
Anger is a natural and common emotional response to rape and sexual abuse.
Survivors may feel angry at many different things:
Anger at the perpetrator
The anger and frustration towards the person who committed the assault.
Anger at yourself
Some survivors feel guilty or blame themselves for the assault.
Anger at others
Sometimes anger is directed at people who survivors feel failed to protect them.
Anger at the world
Feelings of powerlessness and anger may be directed toward the world in general or the gender of the perpetrator.
Sadness
Sadness is another natural emotional response.
Survivors may mourn:
Loss of safety and trust
The world may feel less safe, and trust in others can be shattered.
Loss of innocence
The feeling that the world has changed forever, and so has the survivor.
Loss of the life you had
Many survivors mourn the life they had before the assault, wishing things could have stayed the same.
Helplessness
A sense of helplessness is common after trauma.
Survivors may experience:
Powerlessness
Feeling as though you have lost control of your life and your choices.
Inability to make decisions
Difficulty in taking any actions or making choices because of a feeling of being overwhelmed or immobilised.
Guilt
Guilt is a complex emotion that survivors may feel after trauma.
This can manifest as:
Self-blame
A survivor may feel responsible for the assault, thinking things like “If only I had done this differently...”
"If only" thoughts
Survivors may replay the event in their minds, believing they could have prevented it.
Shame
Shame can be one of the most overwhelming feelings that survivors experience.
It’s common for survivors to feel:
Something is wrong with you
Feeling that the assault has somehow defined or devalued you.
Deserving of what happened
Some survivors blame themselves, feeling as though they somehow brought the assault upon themselves.
Regret about reactions
Feeling ashamed for not reacting the way you “should” have in the moment.
The Long-Term Effects of Rape and Sexual Abuse
It’s important to remember that emotional responses to sexual violence are not “one-size-fits-all”. Survivors may experience a combination of the effects listed here, or they may experience different emotions altogether. Healing is a process, it takes time and support, and it is okay to seek help along the way.
Seeking Support
If you’re experiencing any of the emotions outlined above, or if you’re struggling with the effects of rape or sexual abuse, you are not alone. Support is available through the Wairarapa Rape & Sexual Abuse Collective:
24/7 Crisis Line: 0800 614 614
Office Location: Floor 3, Departmental Building, 35-37 Chapel Street, Masterton 5810
We offer confidential support, resources, and assistance to help you navigate your healing journey.
Are you ready to take the next step?
Contact
Floor 3 Departmental Building, 35-37 Chapel Street, Masterton
0800 614 614 (24/7)
06 370 8446
Office hours 8.30 AM - 2.30 PM Monday - Friday, please call as appointments are preferred