How You Might Feel

Everyone's experience of sexual assault is different. Victims describe a range of common feelings and reactions, such as:

Feeling unsafe
Feeling numb and shocked
Feeling disbelief and/or wanting to block it out
Feeling angry and irritable
Feeling jumpy, anxious or panicked
Feeling depressed or moody
Feeling overwhelmed by confusion
Feeling scared or frightened that it may happen again
Thinking you are going crazy
Feeling guilty or embarrassed
Being worried that somehow everyone knows about the assault
Not wanting to or not being able to eat
Not sleeping
Having nightmares
Having flashbacks
Withdrawing and wanting to push people away
Not trusting anyone
Not wanting any sexual or physical contact
Being in physical pain

If you feel any of these things they are NORMAL reactions.

These feelings may come up just after the assault or it may be weeks, months or even years later. It is really important that you talk to someone who understands when you have these reactions.



	Welcome About The Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service Contact the Service How You Might Feel What Can You Do? Myths Trauma Medical Compensation Groups Family and Friends Links and Resources Admin Login	How You Might Feel Everyone's experience of sexual assault is different. Victims describe a range of common feelings and reactions, such as: Feeling unsafe Feeling numb and shocked Feeling disbelief and/or wanting to block it out Feeling angry and irritable Feeling jumpy, anxious or panicked Feeling depressed or moody Feeling overwhelmed by confusion Feeling scared or frightened that it may happen again Thinking you are going crazy Feeling guilty or embarrassed Being worried that somehow everyone knows about the assault Not wanting to or not being able to eat Not sleeping Having nightmares Having flashbacks Withdrawing and wanting to push people away Not trusting anyone Not wanting any sexual or physical contact Being in physical pain If you feel any of these things they are NORMAL reactions. These feelings may come up just after the assault or it may be weeks, months or even years later. It is really important that you talk to someone who understands when you have these reactions.


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