Asking for help is not weakness, it is actually strength; and help is available for you! Experiencing a sexual assault can affect survivors in many different ways. You may find yourself feeling or behaving very differently than usual. Remember that there is no right or wrong way to react, and there is no correct way to respond to trauma such as sexual violence. Only you know how you feel and you have a right to express those feelings in whatever way you need to.
Many survivors experience:
- Nightmares
- Flashbacks
- Anger
- Guilt
- Anxiety
- Self-Blame
- Difficulty concentrating
- Vulnerability
- Loss of control
- Difficulty sleeping
If you have experienced some or all of these feelings following a sexual assault, remember that you are having a normal reaction to a very abnormal and traumatic experience. On the other hand, these reactions may not fit your experience at all, and that’s okay too. A sexual assault advocate can help you understand the reactions you are having.
