Common Reactions to Sexual Violence
Sexual Violence is a Traumatic experience, meaning it lives in the body and the feelings, not in the rational brain. While everyone has their own unique set of reactions to trauma, we often see it presenting in common ways.
| Emotions | Body | Brain | Behaviours |
| Anxiety/worry | Nausea | Difficulty processing | Withdrawing/isolation |
| Overwhelm | Tremors | Difficulty making decisions | Avoidance |
| Guilt/shame | Sleep disruption | Flashbacks | Increased substance use |
| Sadness/depression | Trouble eating | Nightmares | Change in routine |
| Fear/panic | Easily startled/jumpy | Confusion | Change in appearance |
| Angry | Chronic pain | Disorientation | Self-injury |
| Helpless | Rapid heart rate | Difficulty concentrating | Withdrawing from intimacy |
| Irritability | Headaches | Fragmented memory | Pursuing intimacy |
| Grief | Fatigue | Racing thoughts | |
| Disgust | Crying | Self-consciousness | |
| Tension | Suicidal thoughts |