Stages of Healing From Sexual Abuse and Rape

When survivors have experienced sexual abuse or rape, they often experience a set of reactions known as Rape Trauma Syndrome. The stages of healing from Rape Trauma Syndrome caused by sexual abuse are not necessarily linear. Survivors begin their healing when they begin to deal with sexual abuse whether right after an assault, or years later. In the area of sexual assault, denial is a natural and predictable defense mechanism that allows survivors to gather strength for the healing process. Healing can begin once denial breaks.

Stages of Healing From Sexual Abuse and Rape

The stages of healing from sexual abuse mirror the phases of healing in the grieving process. Not every survivor will go through the phases in order, and many survivors of sexual abuse and rape will bounce between the steps during recovery.

• Acute Phase
  The acute phase of recovery begins right after the assault and has no set time period. Survivors express their emotions in many different ways once denial breaks. They may be openly agitated, crying uncontrollably or suffering from severe panic attacks. They also may seem extremely calm, acting as if they are unaffected and vacant. Survivors of sexual assault often experience difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness, and difficulty functioning during this phase. They may experience violent nightmares, flashbacks, or see the assault repeating over and over again in their heads. They may experience fits of unexplained anger, high levels of shame, and feel extremely uncomfortable in their bodies.
• Outward Adjustment Phase
  During this phase, the survivor attempts to resume their “regular”life however, they are still experiencing an immense amount of suffering. They will often minimize the sexual assault, suggesting it could have been worse or that it “isn't a big deal.” The assault may dominate their daily lives and sense of identity. Survivors may also refuse to acknowledge the assault, or fall back into denial. At some point, many survivors begin to seek answers as to why they were assaulted blaming themselves, analyzing the events, or attempting to understand their assailant. During the outward adjustment phase, sexual abuse survivors often make drastic changes, altering their appearance, moving locations, altering relationships, or seeking different employment in an attempt to put the assault behind them.

  Many sexual abuse and rape survivors in this phase will experience high anxiety, drastic mood swings, depression and rage. Many survivors experience a sense of helplessness, and live with daily fear. Appetite and sleep issues can crop up, and hypervigilance can set in. Survivors often experience trouble thinking clearly or remembering things, and will often avoid reminders of the assault. Survivors also experience sexual problems, and may withdraw from others. The traumatic symptoms of this phase lead the survivor to seek help and healing for the assault.

• Resolution Phase
  Eventually, the sexual assault becomes integrated into the survivor's life, without remaining the central focus. Survivors regain interest in other areas of their lives when they are ready, contextualizing it as an important part of their past. The emotional and psychological pain often lessens over time, as the individual works through the devastation of the assault.

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1. How Rape and Sexual Assault Affect Survivors
2. Strategies for Surviving Sexual Abuse
3. Familiarizing Yourself With the Five Stages of Grief
4. Sexual Abuse as a Root Cause for Dependency
5. Common Myths About Rape
6. The Effectiveness of EMDR in Healing Trauma
7. Healing Your Inner Child After Abuse
8. Healing Trauma With Art Therapy
9. Revealing Dependency Roots With Art Therapy
10. The Relationship Between PTSD and Dependency
11. Unearthing Dependency Roots Via Hypnotherapy
12. Healing Dependency Through Meditation
13. Creating a Safe Place for Healing
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16. The Dissociative Effects of Club Drugs
17. The Bodys Process of Alcohol Detox
18. How Will Romantic Relationships Change After Recovery
19. Why Physical Abuse Breaks the Spirit
20. The Prevalence of Physical Abuse in America