Being sexually assaulted can be a very traumatic experience. Feelings of violation can evoke many reactions. This page is designed to assure survivors that they are not alone and their reactions are normal.

An individual who has experienced trauma may respond in a wide variety of ways. Whatever you feel is a natural response to the sexual violence or violent crime.

Fear of the rapist
Because of direct threats made by a rapist or because media rape stories sensationalize rape, it is likely that a victim felt that they would either be brutally injured or killed during a rape attack. Normal fear responses may be quite generalized or specific to the rapist. The victim's fear may be particularly strong if the rapist threatened to have them again, as often happens if the rapist suspects the victim will report to the police. Fear of re-attack under any circumstances is a normal human fear. The victim is not crazy or paranoid to be fearful. They need positive reassurance from those around them that life is worth living and they need to explore alternate ways of coping with the attack. Help the victim express and specify their fears. Encourage them to list all the things they can do to protect themselves, including some things that are unacceptable to them (such as staying home all the time behind heavily locked doors). Whatever they decide, their plan should be clear in their mind and simple to put into operation even when they are emotionally upset.

Guilt
The rape victim's feelings of guilt are difficult for them to deal with and will likely have an effect on their decision to contact the police. Many victim's have internalized the prevalent mythology which emphasizes the idea that victims are to blame for having been raped. It is important to let them talk and try to help them define in precise terms what they might have done "wrong" - and what they might have done differently. Talk to them about what is a 'Rapable Offense': hitchhiking? going on a date? asking your neighbor in for a drink? going to a singles bar? Help them to give responsibility for the assault to whom it belongs-the offender.

Loss of control over their own lives
The rapist has forced the victim to submit to something they did not want to do. Possibly, they harbored some ideas before the rape that rape couldn't happen to them, that they would be able to resist or that they could take care of themselves. Since the rapist overcame their resistance by force or fear, they no longer feel sure of anything about themselves and their self-determination. Sometimes even little decisions like whether to have a cigarette or whether to eat become momentous things. The victim practically has to repossess themselves after the rape took possession by force. They have to reassert the value of doing things for themselves, they have to insist to themselves that they are worthwhile and that they still have willpower and can control their lives.