Understanding PTSD After Sexual Assault

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Sexual Assault?What Is PTSD?Symptoms of PTSDEffects of Sexual AssaultTreatment OptionsHow to Help a Loved One

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Sexual Assault?

What Is PTSD?

Symptoms of PTSD

Effects of Sexual Assault

Treatment Options

How to Help a Loved One

A person who has been sexually assaulted will generally experience high levels of distress immediately afterward. Thetraumaof being assaulted can lead to fear, anger,guilt, anxiety, and sadness. The stigma associated with sexual assault may cause embarrassment or shame for some people.

In addition, survivors of sexual assault have an increased likelihood of developing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).They might feel as though they are always in danger or need to always be on guard, and may distrust other people.

Survivors of sexual assault can experience freezing, avoidance, hyper-vigilance, and flashbacks or intrusive thoughts as well as other symptoms as a result of the assault.—MICHELLE MAYS, LPC, AUTHOR OF “THE BETRAYAL BIND”

Survivors of sexual assault can experience freezing, avoidance, hyper-vigilance, and flashbacks or intrusive thoughts as well as other symptoms as a result of the assault.

—MICHELLE MAYS, LPC, AUTHOR OF “THE BETRAYAL BIND”

Such symptoms can continue for months or even years without treatment. This article discusses how sexual assault can lead to an increased risk of PTSD. It also covers the symptoms that people might experience and what they can do to get help.

The Best Online Trauma Therapy, Tried and Tested

The term “sexual assault” refers to a range of behaviors that involve unwanted, coercive, or forceful sexual contact or conduct. Sexual assault can include rape, attempted rape, and any form of unwanted sexual touching.

Sexual assault occurs with alarming frequency in the United States. Additionally, survivors ofchildhood sexual assaulthave an increased likelihood of being assaulted again in adulthood.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three women and one in four men will experience sexual violence that includes unwanted physical contact at some point in their lives.

Why the First 3 Months After Sexual Assault Are Critical

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)is a mental health condition that causes a variety of troubling symptoms in the aftermath of a traumatic event like sexual assault.

PTSD is fairly common among people who have experienced sexual assault. In one study, nearly 75% of sexual assault survivors met the diagnostic criteria for PTSD one month after an assault, and nearly 48% still met the criteria one year after an assault.

Symptoms of PTSD may include re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoiding reminders of the trauma, startling easily, and having negative thoughts and beliefs.

PTSD is not a sign of weakness; it is a mental health condition that can be diagnosed and treated. If you are experiencing symptoms of PTSD, it is important to see a healthcare provider.

Symptoms of PTSD After Sexual Assault

“Sexual assault is a devastating violation that undermines one’s feelings of safety and trust. It is common for sexual assault survivors to experience a host of symptoms in the immediate aftermath of their assault, including vivid flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, feeling numb, guilty, or depressed, and being easily startled, jumpy, or irritable,” saysMichele Cascardi, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist and psychology professor at William Paterson University.

Survivors of sexual assault can experience severe and chronicsymptoms of PTSD, such as:

Survivors' experience of PTSD might include:

Cascardi notes that while some of these symptoms can be a normal part of the healing process in the days and weeks after an assault, persistent symptoms that affect a person’s quality of life and ability to function normally may indicate the development of PTSD.

RecapCommon symptoms of PTSD after a sexual assault include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance. Other symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, fatigue, and headaches may also occur.

Recap

Common symptoms of PTSD after a sexual assault include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and avoidance. Other symptoms such as insomnia, nightmares, fatigue, and headaches may also occur.

Can You Prevent PTSD After A Trauma?

Other Effects of Sexual Assault

Sexual assault can take a toll on physical, sexual, and behavioral health for months or even years after the event took place.

Physical Health

A sexual assault can bring on a number of chronic physical conditions, which are also common among people with PTSD. For example, women who have been raped have been found to be more likely to experience:

Additionally, people who are survivors of rape or attempted rape are at an increased risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which can lead to additional physical and emotional health problems.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of PTSD

Sexual Health

Enjoying sexual contact can be difficult after experiencing sexual trauma. Someone who has survived a sexual assault may experience low sexual desire and reduced sexual behavior.

Some survivors experience pain, fear, or anxiety with sexual contact. Shame and guilt stemming from the trauma can also interfere with desire for and satisfaction from sex.

Survivors of childhood sexual assault are likely to have more severe sexual problems. Penetration during sexual assault will also increase the risk for future sexual problems.

Behavioral Health

There is no single behavioral reaction to sexual assault. Some survivors avoid sex after experiencing assault, while others engage in risky sexual behaviors such as not using protection or having a greater number of sexual partners.

Survivors may also turn to unhealthy behaviors likesubstance useand self-harm in an effort to cope with the intense unpleasant emotions that come from being assaulted.

Some survivors may go to great lengths to avoid potentially dangerous situations and shy away from television shows, newspaper articles, or conversations that discuss sexual assault.

These feelings may subside over time for some people. Others, however, will continue to experience some form of psychological distress for months or years.

Other Conditions Linked to Sexual Assault and PTSDPTSD is commonly associated with other mental health conditions and is not the only mental health disorder that may develop after a sexual assault. Survivors may also develop conditions including:Eating disordersGeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD)Major depressionObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)Substance use disordersThe risk for these related conditions may be greater for people who experienced a sexual assault at a younger age.

Treatments for PTSD After Sexual Assault

For many who survive sexual assault, these symptoms will subside over time. However, for some, these symptoms may linger and even get worse. Fortunately, there are treatments available that have been found to help.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy has been proven effective in treating symptoms of PTSD following sexual assault. Cascardi notes that there is growing evidence for the effectiveness ofcognitive processing therapy,prolonged-exposure therapy, andeye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy.

Mays explains that treatments for trauma can involve either a top-down or bottom-up approach. “A top-down approach focuses on the person’s thinking, beliefs, and behaviors and works to create change in those areas. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an effective example of this,” she says. A bottom-up approach, such as EMDR, focuses on releasing the trauma a person holds in their body.

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How to Find a Therapist for PTSD

Support Groups

Joining an online or in-person support group provides the opportunity to connect with other survivors of sexual assault and get advice on overcoming the challenges associated with that trauma.

Support groups provide an excellent opportunity to develop supportive, trusting, and healthy relationships with other people with a shared experience. Your primary care physician or mental health professional is often the best place to start when searching for a local support group.

TheNational Sexual Violence Resource Centeralso offers advice and information for survivors, their friends and family, and advocates and educators.

Self-Help

In addition to talking to a therapist and/or joining a support group, there are some lifestyle changes and coping techniques you can do on your own to calm your body and mind and manage your symptoms.

RecapGetting treatment for PTSD after a sexual assault is important for long-term recovery. In addition to therapy, support groups and self-help strategies can be helpful for coping with PTSD symptoms.

Getting treatment for PTSD after a sexual assault is important for long-term recovery. In addition to therapy, support groups and self-help strategies can be helpful for coping with PTSD symptoms.

Coping With PTSD

“Healing sexual trauma is a process that takes time and that the person will go through many different emotions and experience the impact in different areas of their lives,” Mays explains.

If your partner or another loved one is experiencing symptoms of PTSD after a sexual assault, there are things you can do to help.

Having supportive relationships is important for people who have experienced trauma. Research has found that poor social relationships can impair PTSD recovery.

—MICHELE CASCARDI, PHD, LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR AT WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY

Summary

Recovering from sexual assault and PTSD is not something you should try to do alone. There are trained professionals to help and support you as you learn to manage the physical, mental, and behavioral effects of surviving sexual assault.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can contact theRAINN National Sexual Assault Hotlineat1-800-656-4673to receive confidential support from a trained staff member at a local RAINN affiliate.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

How to Cope With Sexual Assault

13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DiMauro J, Renshaw KD.Trauma-related disclosure in sexual assault survivors’ intimate relationships: Associations with PTSD, shame, and partners’ responses.J Interpers Violence. 2021;36(3-4):NP1986-2004NP. doi:10.1177/0886260518756117Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing sexual violence.Dworkin ER, Jaffe AE, Bedard-Gilligan M, Fitzpatrick S.PTSD in the year following sexual assault: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 2023;24(2):497-514. doi:10.1177/15248380211032213Dworkin ER, Menon SV, Bystrynski J, Allen NE.Sexual assault victimization and psychopathology: A review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2017;56:65-81. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.06.002Panisch LS, Tam LM.The role of trauma and mental health in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review of the intervention literature.Trauma Violence Abuse. 2020;21(5):1029-1043. doi:10.1177/1524838018821950Mohammed GF, Hashish RKH.Sexual violence against females and its impact on their sexual function.Egypt J Forensic Sci.2015;5(3):96-102. doi:10.1016/j.ejfs.2014.08.004O’Callaghan E, Shepp V, Ullman SE, Kirkner A.Navigating sex and sexuality after sexual assault: A qualitative study of survivors and informal support providers.J Sex Res. 2019;56(8):1045-1057. doi:10.1080/00224499.2018.1506731Brown AL, Testa M, Messman-Moore TL.Psychological consequences of sexual victimization resulting from force, incapacitation, or verbal coercion.Violence Against Women.2009;15(8):898-919. doi:10.1177/1077801209335491Au TM, Dickstein BD, Comer JS, Salters-Pedneault K, Litz BT.Co-occurring posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms after sexual assault: A latent profile analysis.J Affect Disord. 2013;149(1-3):209-216. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.01.026Ullman SE, Lorenz K, Kirkner A, O’Callaghan E.Postassault substance use and coping: A qualitative study of sexual assault survivors and informal support providers.Alcohol Treat Q. 2018;36(3):330-353. doi:10.1080/07347324.2018.1465807Haugen T, Halvorsen JØ, Friborg O, et al.Modified prolonged exposure therapy as Early Intervention after Rape (The EIR-study): study protocol for a multicenter randomized add-on superiority trial.Trials. 2023;24(1):126. doi:10.1186/s13063-023-07147-wAmerican Psychological Association.Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of PTSD.Freedman SA, Gilad M, Ankri Y, Roziner I, Shalev AY.Social relationship satisfaction and PTSD: which is the chicken and which is the egg?.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6:28864. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.28864Additional ReadingSarkar NN, Sarkar R.Sexual assault on woman: Its impact on her life and living in society.Sex Relation Ther. 2005;20(4):407-419. doi:10.1080/14681990500249502

13 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DiMauro J, Renshaw KD.Trauma-related disclosure in sexual assault survivors’ intimate relationships: Associations with PTSD, shame, and partners’ responses.J Interpers Violence. 2021;36(3-4):NP1986-2004NP. doi:10.1177/0886260518756117Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing sexual violence.Dworkin ER, Jaffe AE, Bedard-Gilligan M, Fitzpatrick S.PTSD in the year following sexual assault: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 2023;24(2):497-514. doi:10.1177/15248380211032213Dworkin ER, Menon SV, Bystrynski J, Allen NE.Sexual assault victimization and psychopathology: A review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2017;56:65-81. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.06.002Panisch LS, Tam LM.The role of trauma and mental health in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review of the intervention literature.Trauma Violence Abuse. 2020;21(5):1029-1043. doi:10.1177/1524838018821950Mohammed GF, Hashish RKH.Sexual violence against females and its impact on their sexual function.Egypt J Forensic Sci.2015;5(3):96-102. doi:10.1016/j.ejfs.2014.08.004O’Callaghan E, Shepp V, Ullman SE, Kirkner A.Navigating sex and sexuality after sexual assault: A qualitative study of survivors and informal support providers.J Sex Res. 2019;56(8):1045-1057. doi:10.1080/00224499.2018.1506731Brown AL, Testa M, Messman-Moore TL.Psychological consequences of sexual victimization resulting from force, incapacitation, or verbal coercion.Violence Against Women.2009;15(8):898-919. doi:10.1177/1077801209335491Au TM, Dickstein BD, Comer JS, Salters-Pedneault K, Litz BT.Co-occurring posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms after sexual assault: A latent profile analysis.J Affect Disord. 2013;149(1-3):209-216. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.01.026Ullman SE, Lorenz K, Kirkner A, O’Callaghan E.Postassault substance use and coping: A qualitative study of sexual assault survivors and informal support providers.Alcohol Treat Q. 2018;36(3):330-353. doi:10.1080/07347324.2018.1465807Haugen T, Halvorsen JØ, Friborg O, et al.Modified prolonged exposure therapy as Early Intervention after Rape (The EIR-study): study protocol for a multicenter randomized add-on superiority trial.Trials. 2023;24(1):126. doi:10.1186/s13063-023-07147-wAmerican Psychological Association.Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of PTSD.Freedman SA, Gilad M, Ankri Y, Roziner I, Shalev AY.Social relationship satisfaction and PTSD: which is the chicken and which is the egg?.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6:28864. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.28864Additional ReadingSarkar NN, Sarkar R.Sexual assault on woman: Its impact on her life and living in society.Sex Relation Ther. 2005;20(4):407-419. doi:10.1080/14681990500249502

DiMauro J, Renshaw KD.Trauma-related disclosure in sexual assault survivors’ intimate relationships: Associations with PTSD, shame, and partners’ responses.J Interpers Violence. 2021;36(3-4):NP1986-2004NP. doi:10.1177/0886260518756117Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing sexual violence.Dworkin ER, Jaffe AE, Bedard-Gilligan M, Fitzpatrick S.PTSD in the year following sexual assault: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 2023;24(2):497-514. doi:10.1177/15248380211032213Dworkin ER, Menon SV, Bystrynski J, Allen NE.Sexual assault victimization and psychopathology: A review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2017;56:65-81. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.06.002Panisch LS, Tam LM.The role of trauma and mental health in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review of the intervention literature.Trauma Violence Abuse. 2020;21(5):1029-1043. doi:10.1177/1524838018821950Mohammed GF, Hashish RKH.Sexual violence against females and its impact on their sexual function.Egypt J Forensic Sci.2015;5(3):96-102. doi:10.1016/j.ejfs.2014.08.004O’Callaghan E, Shepp V, Ullman SE, Kirkner A.Navigating sex and sexuality after sexual assault: A qualitative study of survivors and informal support providers.J Sex Res. 2019;56(8):1045-1057. doi:10.1080/00224499.2018.1506731Brown AL, Testa M, Messman-Moore TL.Psychological consequences of sexual victimization resulting from force, incapacitation, or verbal coercion.Violence Against Women.2009;15(8):898-919. doi:10.1177/1077801209335491Au TM, Dickstein BD, Comer JS, Salters-Pedneault K, Litz BT.Co-occurring posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms after sexual assault: A latent profile analysis.J Affect Disord. 2013;149(1-3):209-216. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.01.026Ullman SE, Lorenz K, Kirkner A, O’Callaghan E.Postassault substance use and coping: A qualitative study of sexual assault survivors and informal support providers.Alcohol Treat Q. 2018;36(3):330-353. doi:10.1080/07347324.2018.1465807Haugen T, Halvorsen JØ, Friborg O, et al.Modified prolonged exposure therapy as Early Intervention after Rape (The EIR-study): study protocol for a multicenter randomized add-on superiority trial.Trials. 2023;24(1):126. doi:10.1186/s13063-023-07147-wAmerican Psychological Association.Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of PTSD.Freedman SA, Gilad M, Ankri Y, Roziner I, Shalev AY.Social relationship satisfaction and PTSD: which is the chicken and which is the egg?.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6:28864. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.28864

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing sexual violence.

Dworkin ER, Jaffe AE, Bedard-Gilligan M, Fitzpatrick S.PTSD in the year following sexual assault: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 2023;24(2):497-514. doi:10.1177/15248380211032213

Dworkin ER, Menon SV, Bystrynski J, Allen NE.Sexual assault victimization and psychopathology: A review and meta-analysis.Clin Psychol Rev. 2017;56:65-81. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2017.06.002

Panisch LS, Tam LM.The role of trauma and mental health in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain: A systematic review of the intervention literature.Trauma Violence Abuse. 2020;21(5):1029-1043. doi:10.1177/1524838018821950

Mohammed GF, Hashish RKH.Sexual violence against females and its impact on their sexual function.Egypt J Forensic Sci.2015;5(3):96-102. doi:10.1016/j.ejfs.2014.08.004

O’Callaghan E, Shepp V, Ullman SE, Kirkner A.Navigating sex and sexuality after sexual assault: A qualitative study of survivors and informal support providers.J Sex Res. 2019;56(8):1045-1057. doi:10.1080/00224499.2018.1506731

Brown AL, Testa M, Messman-Moore TL.Psychological consequences of sexual victimization resulting from force, incapacitation, or verbal coercion.Violence Against Women.2009;15(8):898-919. doi:10.1177/1077801209335491

Au TM, Dickstein BD, Comer JS, Salters-Pedneault K, Litz BT.Co-occurring posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms after sexual assault: A latent profile analysis.J Affect Disord. 2013;149(1-3):209-216. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.01.026

Ullman SE, Lorenz K, Kirkner A, O’Callaghan E.Postassault substance use and coping: A qualitative study of sexual assault survivors and informal support providers.Alcohol Treat Q. 2018;36(3):330-353. doi:10.1080/07347324.2018.1465807

Haugen T, Halvorsen JØ, Friborg O, et al.Modified prolonged exposure therapy as Early Intervention after Rape (The EIR-study): study protocol for a multicenter randomized add-on superiority trial.Trials. 2023;24(1):126. doi:10.1186/s13063-023-07147-w

American Psychological Association.Clinical practice guideline for the treatment of PTSD.

Freedman SA, Gilad M, Ankri Y, Roziner I, Shalev AY.Social relationship satisfaction and PTSD: which is the chicken and which is the egg?.Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2015;6:28864. doi:10.3402/ejpt.v6.28864

Sarkar NN, Sarkar R.Sexual assault on woman: Its impact on her life and living in society.Sex Relation Ther. 2005;20(4):407-419. doi:10.1080/14681990500249502

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Symptoms of PTSD After Sexual Assault#

Recap#

Other Effects of Sexual Assault#

Physical Health#

Sexual Health#

Behavioral Health#

Other Conditions Linked to Sexual Assault and PTSD#

Treatments for PTSD After Sexual Assault#

Psychotherapy#

Get Help Now#

Support Groups#

Self-Help#

Summary#