Victims of Sexual Violence
| Physical Injury |
- Damage to vulva, vagina, and/or anus.
- Moderate to severe injuries from being punched, scratched, kicked, or held/tied down.
|
| Chronic Illness |
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Diabetes, and Asthma as a result of trauma and stress.
- Pelvic cramping, abnormal menstruation, and pain during consensual sex.
|
| Mental Health |
- Anxiety and fear triggered by people who look/act like the perpetrator or by events related to the incident.
- Generalized anxiety shortly after the incident, or long term anxiety.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms affect 94% of women following a sexual assault. 16.5% of victims experience symptoms years later.
- Chronic Depression – 40% of victims experience depression.
- Feelings of numbness, hopelessness, ideas of suicide.
|
| Social/Emotional Health |
- Fears, health issues, and numbness that keep victims from socializing with friends or new groups.
- Low self-esteem; feelings of inferiority or worthlessness.
- Suffering performance at work, school, and in groups due to anxiety, mental health issues, and physical injuries.
- False blame for their assault, feelings of responsibility for the attack, being called a liar, leading to further isolation.
|
| Sexual Health |
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS.
- Pregnancy
|
