Common Feelings Experienced by Sexual Assault Survivors

EMOTIONAL SHOCK

"I don't feel anything."
"I can't cry."
"Why do I feel so calm?"
"I can't stop crying or shaking."

DISBELIEF

"Did this really happen?"
"Why did it happen to me?"
"I cared about him...how could he do this to me?"

EMBARRASSMENT

"I don't want anyone to know!"
"I can't tell my family or friends."

SHAME

"I feel dirty no matter how often I wash."
"There must be something wrong with me now."
"I feel that I have brought my family shame."
"Other people can tell just by looking at me."

GUILT

"I feel as if I did something to make this happen to me."
"I feel it was my fault."
"If only I had..."
"If only I had not..."

DEPRESSION

"How am I going to go on?"
"I feel so tired."
"I feel like there is no hope."

POWERLESSNESS

"I feel like I have no control over anything in my life."
"Will I always feel like this?"
"I do not know where to turn for help. No place seems safe."

DISORIENTATION

"I feel overwhelmed with my feelings and thoughts."
"I can't sit still."

TRIGGERING & FLASHBACKS

"I keep seeing the assault over and over again in my mind."
"It seems so real, I wish the pictures would stop."
"I feel as if I am losing my mind/going crazy."

DENIAL

"I'm probably overreacting."
"It wasn't that big of a deal."
"I just want to forget about it."

ANGER

"I want to kill him!"
"I hate myself."

FEAR

"I'm afraid to go outside."
"I'm afraid to be near other people."
"I'm afraid he will come back."
"Will I get pregnant?"
"What about AIDS/diseases?"
"I'm afraid to tell anyone...what if they don't believe me?"

ANXIETY

"I can't eat/sleep."
"I have nightmares."
"I feel sick to my stomach all the time."
"I have trouble breathing."
"My whole body hurts."