If you've been sexually assaulted, nobody except you understand how you feel. There is no 'correct' response; however, you may find it helps to know how other people have reacted to sexual violence. Some common reactions are:
• Tearful: 'I cry all the time for no reason'
• Shock: 'I'm numb'
• Disbelief: 'Did it really happen?'
• Shame: 'I feel dirty'
• Denial: 'I'm OK'
• Fear: 'What if I get pregnant?'
• Anger: 'I want to kill him/her'
• Guilt “It’s my fault”
• Hopelessness “I’ll never get through this”
• Alone “No one understands”
• Embarrassed “I just want this to go away”
Sexual assault can change your feelings about yourself and those around you. You may not feel the way you did before the assault—physically, emotionally, socially or sexually. It’s perfectly understandable if you’re feeling mixed up and don’t know what to do. Just remember that there are things you can do to help yourself through, like talking to someone (a counselor, or family and friends) or taking action (seeing a doctor, the police or lawyer).
This information is based on the factsheet 'does anyone know how I feel?’ a series of factsheets produced by the NSW Rape Crisis Centre.
