Reactions to Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is a form of abuse, an act that goes against a person’s basic human rights and can have lasting consequences on the victim’s physical, mental, social and economic well-being. It affects the individual, the family and the community.

Sexual assault, rape and other types of sexual violence occur when a person is forced to take part in sex without their consent or against their will. It can be physically violent, but also includes other forms of sexual coercion such as manipulation, emotional intimidation and the threat of being hurt or dismissed from a job or school. Sexual violence may be perpetrated by a single person or by groups of people. It can be committed against a person of any age, sex or gender, and is almost always motivated by power, anger, fear or revenge.

Survivors of sexual violence often struggle with a number of reactions and feelings including fear, sadness, guilt, depression and anxiety. They often experience flashbacks, which can feel like the sexual violence is happening again. This can make it difficult to function at home or in the workplace. They may have sleep problems or changes in appetite and their body image can be affected. Survivors of sexual violence can also have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with other people.

Everyone reacts to sexual violence differently and no two people will experience the same reaction. But there are some common reactions that are very normal. It is important for those who work with survivors to be aware of these reactions so they can support their clients or students through them.

Reactions to sexual violence can be immediate or they may develop gradually over time. These reactions can be as a result of the trauma or shock experienced or because of ongoing stressors such as bullying, domestic or child abuse, financial difficulties and/or alcohol or drug use. They can also be a result of other factors such as genetic predisposition, evolutionary pressures and the cultural context in which the sexual violence took place.

For example, in cultures that are sociocentric (where relations with others are central), a sense of shame is more likely to be shared and therefore less likely to lead to sexual violence than in ego-centric cultures where personal independence is valued.

Sexual violence is not easy to talk about or acknowledge and it is often misunderstood. There are many myths about sexual violence that can cause people to blame themselves or believe that what happened to them was their fault in some way. The truth is that no one deserves or asks for sexual violence to happen and it is never the victim’s fault. There are no excuses for sexual violence and it can happen to anyone at any time. It is important for all people to know what constitutes sexual violence and to understand that sexual abuse, rape and other acts of sexual violence are crimes against humanity. Educating the public about what sexual violence is and why it happens is essential to changing the culture of silence surrounding sexual violence.