Feelings - SARP Center - 805.545.8888 - San Luis Obispo County

24 Hour Crisis and
Support Lines

8 0 5 . 5 4 5 . 8 8 8 8
1 . 8 0 0 . 6 5 6 . H O P E

Free . Confidential

Immediate Support

Feelings Most Frequently Experienced Following A Sexual Assault

Fear

of being alone and/or of being in crowds
of rapist returning
of places, people, things that remind survivor of the assault
of others finding out and what they will think
of men in general
of having to report the assault or go to court
of one's children being assaulted
of one's own rage
of going to sleep (recurring nightmares)
of being pregnant
of getting STD's or AIDS
of being intimate again
of going crazy

Shame, Embarrassment

feel “dirty”, “despoiled,” “humiliated”
feel everyone can tell by looking at her

Powerlessness and Depression

feel she has lost all control over her body and her life
feel it will never get better
feel victimized by the assault and/or by being a woman in this society

Emotional Shock

feeling numb and/or feeling calm
not being able to cry

Re-triggering

having flashbacks
wishing the flashbacks would stop

Denial

wasn't it “just” rape?

Guilt

for having “caused the rape”
for not resisting more; for resisting too much
for being “stupid” enough to get into that situation
for all the reactions she is having
for not being able to nurture others at this time
for having “engaged in sex” (cultural/religious implications)

Anger

at herself for “letting it happen”
at her significant others for not understanding or not protecting her
at society and the system
at the assailant - may want to kill, castrate, or humiliate him
at the total disruption of her life

Betrayal

by assailant, if someone she trusted, however briefly, and/or by God
by reactions of significant others and/or society and the system

Lack of Trust

of her own ability to make judgments
of men in general

Disbelief

did it really happen?
why did it happen to me?

Disorientation

not being able to sit still
having trouble getting through the day
feeling overwhelmed

Many of these reactions are experienced by those who are assaulted, raped, or sexually abused in some way. Each survivor's reaction over the weeks and months after the assault will be unique. It is essential that the survivor accept these reactions and not be self-critical while dealing with his or her emotions.

Cut, Fresh Pink Flowers

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

— Margaret Mead

Events Calendar

Support SARP While You Shop

SARP Center One Step Donation

United Way, Comunity Partner