Understanding
what happened
It is not uncommon to be left wondering what happened to you after sexual assault. We are here to help.
Sexual assault can leave you feeling confused and uncertain about what happened. The trauma associated with an unwanted sexual experience can make it difficult to distinguish between what was consensual and what was not.
To help you understand the experience, it is important that you seek support from people you trust or a professional – they can offer a safe and supportive space for you to process the trauma. It is also important to remember that each survivor’s experience is different and there is no right or wrong way to feel or react to sexual assault.
The effects
It can take time to deal with unwanted feelings and emotions – having the right support and people around can make this journey easier.
You may experience flashbacks or symptoms of PTSD. You may be wondering if what you experienced was actually sexual assault – talking this through with someone you trust or a professional so that you feel supported is important.
Sexual violence can leave a profound and enduring impact, psychologically, emotionally and physically. These effects can be difficult to deal with. However, with appropriate help and support, you can work through your thoughts and emotions and help to unpick what happened to you.
We are in the process of creating a team ready to provide online and telephone support for you. In the meantime, have a look at our article about what constitutes sexual violence. This should help you better understand sexual assault as whole and what constitutes an unwanted experience.
If you would like to create an anonymous record of an incident that happened to you, start below.