This includes
many of the feelings that a survivor of sexual assault, rape, or childhood
sexual abuse may experience. A survivor may not have been able to deal with
their feelings at the time of the assault and may be experiencing these
feelings at a much later time.
A survivor may not be
visibly upset. The situation may not feel real.
Survivors may blame
themselves because it is easier to take responsibility than to admit that
they lost control.
Anger about what happened, and about the subsequent
loss of freedom and changing lifestyle.
Afraid to trust
Fear
of being alone
Fear
of men
Fear
of retaliation from attacker
Depression
Physical problems involving eating or sleeping
A
survivor may feel like they are going crazy.
Concern for the reactions of others to the assault
Recovery may be a long process. There will be some
permanent changes in the survivor’s life. As time passes the survivor will
think less and less about the assault.
