Fear: “What if I am pregnant or have an STI? These thoughts keep going through my head. I’m afraid to close my eyes.”
Depression: “I’m so tired.” “I feel so helpless.” “Maybe I’d be better off dead.”
Triggers: “I keep having flashbacks.”
Anxiety: “I feel so confused.” “Am I going crazy?”
Helplessness: Loss of self-reliance. “Will I ever be able to function on my own?”
Behavioral Response
Expressive: Crying, yelling, shaking, being angry, swearing, etc. Anger may be directed at self, friends, family, etc.
Calm: May behave extremely composed, controlled, or unaffected.
Withdrawn: May shrink inside themselves, provide one word answers or none at all, or offer no information without being prodded.
Nightmares: Survivor may have difficulty sleeping or have nightmares of being chased or attacked.
Flashbacks: These may occur while the survivor is fully awake. The memories will seem intensely real to the survivor because the assault seems to be happening all over again.
Changing eating habits
Lack of concentration or energy
Rape Trauma Syndrome or Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Promiscuity
Abuse of alcohol
Disordered Eating
Note: Not everyone will demonstrate all of these behaviors. Everyone reacts differently. However an individual reacts, is normal for him or her.
