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Sexual trauma refers to the physical and psychological challenges endured by survivors of sexual assault.
This can lead to damaging outcomes for a survivor.
Children are also commonly affected by sexual trauma.
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The effects of sexual violence may sometimes manifest in symptoms ofpost-traumatic stress disorderin survivors.
This guide will examine the signs and consequences of sexual violence.
It will also look at the ways treatment may be provided following the assault.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
In these situations, the body produces thestress hormone, cortisol.
This hormone heads the response to tense and agitated environments.
Higher amounts of this stress hormone guard against strenuous circumstances.
However, this volume also raises the bodys stress levels.
When this happens, a person is placed in a constant fight or flight response, even without anytriggers.
This may result in a condition called toxic stress.
Symptoms of Sexual Trauma
A persons response to sexual assault can be varied and personal.
On one hand, there may be little to no response to the violence that has taken place.
Here, the body may simply choose to move on from the damage.
Other times andvery commonly soobvious signs point to strong responses to violence.
Hyperactivity means that your body is in a constant fear response, even without any triggers.
Psychological symptoms of sexual trauma include:
Emotional Effects
Emotional reactions are a deep-seated acknowledgment of trauma.
Psychological response to sexual violence is seen in:
Sexual trauma may cause a shift in personality.
Effects of Sexual Violence
When a person’s sexual agency is compromised, severe consequences may follow.
These effects may manifest in different ways across physical, emotional, or behavioral lines.
Assault could lead to harmful behavior such as self-harm or substance abuse.
In severe cases, survivors of sexual violence may begin to consider suicide.
Physical Effects
A survivor of assault may notice bodily changes following the event.
Challenges in the lower abdomen,chronic pain, andsleep difficultiesare common consequences.
Behavioral Outcomes
Assault can also impact survivors in their social interactions with others.
Survivors may begin to avoid physical contact with others andmay avoid sex altogether.
This pain can also prevent the chances of placing trust in people.
Treatment for Sexual Trauma
Living with the trauma of sexual assault can be very hard to bear.
This form of therapy helps to navigate the emotions and pain of sexual assault.
It is also useful for countering these effects by teaching positive behaviors that can manage them.
Sharing experiences can help to manage the severity of trauma symptoms in survivors.
This form of therapy teaches different systems of thinking and coping with trauma.
Medication
Pharmaceutical options likeSSRIsare also highly recommended to manage trauma.
SSRIs are commonly used to manage depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
A Word From Verywell
Sexual assault is a worryingly common occurrence and capable of producing lasting damage.
For survivors of sexual assault, the trauma of this experience can be difficult to overcome.
National Sexual Violence Resource Center.Statistics.
RAINN.Children and Teens: Statistics.
2021;18(4):1849.
2006;9(2):111-118.
