Effects of Sexual Violence

Sexually Transmitted Infections

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) is a bacterial or viral infection passed from one person to another through vaginal, anal, or oral contact.

Pregnancy

You may have concerns about becoming pregnant from the assault. Emergency contraception is offered during the evidence collection kit at the emergency room.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

After a traumatic event, it is typical to have feelings of anxiety, stress, or fear, making it difficult to adjust or cope for some time afterwards

Dissociation

Dissociation is one of the many defense mechanisms the brain can use to cope with the trauma of sexual violence.

Panic Attacks

A panic attack is a sudden feeling of intense fear and anxiety that happens in situations when there may be no immediate danger. They tend to affect people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or high levels of stress

Flashbacks

During a flashback, memories of past traumas feel as if they are taking place in the current moment.

Depression

Depression is a mood disorder that occurs when feelings associated with sadness and hopelessness continue for long periods of time and interrupt regular thought patterns. It can affect your behavior and your relationship with other people.

Anxiety

Substance Abuse

If you are concerned that you’re using substances in a way that could be harmful to your health or have concerns for someone you care about, consider learning more about the warning signs and places to find support.

Eating Disorders

There are three main types of eating disorders. It’s also possible to engage in disordered eating that doesn’t fit into one of these categories but is still dangerous.

Anorexia nervosa: characterized by restriction and self-starvation that causes excessive weight loss and has a damaging effect on overall health
Binge eating disorder: characterized by bingeing, the act of eating without control or response to normal hunger cues
Bulimia nervosa: characterized by a cycle of binge eating and purging of food in some way, such as laxatives or self-induced vomiting

Sleep Disorders

Sleep disorders are medical conditions that affect the quality of sleep by interfering with normal sleep patterns. Symptoms can include trouble falling or staying asleep, sleeping at unusual times of day, or sleeping for longer or shorter than usual.

Self-Harm

Deliberate self-harm, also called self-injury, is when people inflict physical harm on themselves, usually in private and without suicidal intentions. Some survivors of sexual assault may use self-harm to cope with difficult or painful feelings.

Common forms of self-harm include:

Biting
Burning
Cutting
Hitting the body
Pulling out hair
Scratching and picking skin

Suicide

You aren’t alone. Suicide is preventable and suicidal thoughts aren’t permanent. If you are thinking about suicide, there are resources to give you the support you need to get through this tough time. Remember, you are strong and help is out there.

It’s important to know that many people think about suicide at one time or another in their lives. If you are having suicidal thoughts, it may mean you are in crisis and need support.

If you or someone you care about is thinking about suicide there are ways to get help.