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Common Responses

Sexual assault is a serious crime, and victimization can cause serious trauma. There is no “normal” response to sexual trauma; however, some common responses are listed below:

Responses:

  • Numbness
  • Shock and disbelief
  • Feeling of being on an “emotional rollercoaster”
  • Confusion, fear, terror
  • Avoidance
  • Depression, anger
  • Dissociative responses
  • Nightmares/sleep disorders
  • Flashbacks
  • Somatic and Physical aftereffects
  • Spiritual crises
  • PTSD
  • Changes in appetite
  • Changes in sleeping, sleeping more or less