How Sexual Violence Affects People

Sexual violence is any type of unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature or action that takes place without consent. It can take lots of different forms and can impact people in many ways. Sexual assault, rape and abuse can have long-term effects that are physical, emotional, psychological and social.

Everyone responds differently to sexual assault, but some common reactions include feelings like guilt, fear, numbness and shock. These can be accompanied by symptoms like eating disorders, changes in sexuality, feelings of being overwhelmed or having no control, depression, thoughts of suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Sexual assault impacts not just the survivor, but also their family, friends, loved ones and community. Sexual violence can cause a range of negative economic, social and health consequences including financial loss, concerns about pregnancy or risk of sexually transmitted infections, mental and physical injuries, and the need for medical and legal services.

The ICRC strongly condemns any type of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in all its forms. SGBV is a form of discrimination based on a person’s identity or gender which includes any act of sexual violence or exploitation against women, girls and boys regardless of whether it happens at home, in school, at work, during an attack, or in a conflict zone.

According to RAINN, 55% of sexual assaults happen at or near a survivor’s home, and 7% happen in their workplace and 12% while they are on their way to or from school. Survivors can be assaulted in other locations as well such as public places, while travelling to do shopping or run errands.

There are many myths surrounding sexual violence that can make it difficult for survivors to come forward and seek help. These myths can include thinking that a victim is to blame, that the assault was not really a sexual assault and that they should have fought back or said no. Sexual assault is not a crime of passion and is not something that any survivor should feel guilty about.

Researchers have a lot of different ideas about why people perpetrate sexual violence, but it is important to remember that there are no excuses or justifications for sexual violence and that nobody deserves or asks for it to happen to them – not even a little bit.

There are no set signs or symptoms of sexual violence, as everyone reacts differently. However, there are some general things to look out for: