The Impact of Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is any act that violates a person’s sexual autonomy or control. It can include completed nonconsensual sex acts (rape, sexual assault, sexual battery), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive sexual contact, such as unwanted touching, exhibitionism and verbal sexual abuse.

Survivors may experience a range of emotional responses to sexual violence including fear, anger, shame, guilt, anxiety and depression. They may have difficulty concentrating, eating or sleeping and may have nightmares. They may also experience physical effects such as changes in sexual function or menstrual cycles, weight loss, or pain in the areas of their body that were touched. The impact of sexual trauma can be long lasting and can lead to addiction, relationship problems, self-harm or thoughts of suicide.

The impact of sexual violence on survivors can extend to their family, friends, coworkers and community as a whole. It can have a negative effect on children’s mental health and academic performance. It can contribute to feelings of insecurity and powerlessness in schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, campuses, and cultural or religious communities. Sexual assault also costs communities financially through medical and legal expenses, crisis and mental health services, and lost contributions from individuals affected by the violence.

Sexual assault and other kinds of sexual violence can be committed against people of any age, gender identity or sexual orientation. It can be perpetrated by a person the victim knows or even trusts, such as a friend, acquaintance, spouse or ex-spouse. It can be committed by a stranger or by a person the survivor knows, such as a parent, caretaker or trusted mentor. It can occur in any setting, at home or away from it. It can involve touching or it can be non-contact. It can be an act of aggression or it can be a display of dominance and power.

While sexual violence can be caused by anyone, some people are more at risk than others. This includes women, girls and gender-diverse people; people living with a disability; and rural or remote communities. People in high-risk groups are often subject to discrimination and barriers that prevent them from accessing the help they need.

Survivors may experience stigma and discrimination when they come forward with their experiences of sexual violence, including in the form of being blamed for the assault. It is also common for survivors to be questioned or harassed by police when reporting their abuse, with some of them feeling that the questions they were asked were condescending, blaming and/or judgmental. They may be denied basic human rights such as freedom of movement and the right to privacy. This can further contribute to feelings of powerlessness and depression. Survivors of sexual violence can be forced to consume alcohol and/or drugs during the time of their assault. This can affect the survivor’s ability to provide informed consent for sexual activity and can lead to complications such as a traumatic brain injury. They may also be at increased risk of re-traumatisation, including post-traumatic stress disorder.