Rape Trauma Syndrome - Sue Lambert Trust



Psychological and Behavioural

Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Very often years after the abuse occurred people will say things like “it’s over now, you must get on with the rest of your life.” Or they will not understand why many years later the survivor is still suffering from the effects of the abuse.

This is because at the time, every part of the person is concentrated on surviving. Afterwards the struggle to comprehend what has happened begins. Its meaning floods over the survivor and he/she has got to find a way to return to his/her life, body and self.

Childhood sexual abuse is as much a destruction of “self” as it is an act of physical invasion. The battle between this “mind rape” and the will to find themselves again is what we call survival.

Common Behavioural Symptoms

• Crying more than usual.

• Difficulty concentrating.

• Being restless, agitated and unable to relax or feeling listless and unmotivated.

• Not wanting to socialise or see anybody or socialising more than usual, so fill up every minute of the day.

• Not wanting to be alone.

• Stuttering or stammering more than usual.

• Avoiding anything that reminds the survivor of the abuse, such as situations, locations, sights, smells.

• Being more easily frightened or startled than usual.

• Being very alert and watchful.

• Becoming easily upset by small things. irritable

• Relationship problems with, family, friends, lovers and spouses.

• Fear of intimacy, lack of trust in lovers and spouses

• Fear of sex, loss of interest in sex or loss of sexual pleasure.

• Changes in lifestyles.

• Increased substance abuse.

• Increased washing or bathing.

• Behaving as if the abuse didn't occur. This is called denial.

Common Psychological Symptoms

• Increased fear and anxiety, often of non-threatening situations

• Self-blame and guilt.

• Helplessness, no longer feeling in control of life.

• Humiliation and shame.

• Lowering of self-esteem, feeling dirty .

• Anger.

• Feeling alone and that no one understands

• Losing hope in the future.

• Emotional numbness.

• Confusion.

• Loss of memory.

• Constantly thinking about the abuse.

• Having flashbacks to the assault, feeling like it is happening again, being there all over again.

• Nightmares.

• Depression.

• Becoming suicidal.

Survivors are unique individuals

There are many influences on the manner in which each individual survivor of sexual violence copes and on the length of time the symptoms may be present. These factors include:

• Support systems.

• The relationship with the offender

• The degree of violence used.

• Previous experience with stress.

• Attitude of those to whom the abuse is disclosed.

It is important that we recognise that survivors will not all respond in the same ways. Every survivor is a unique individual who will cope with their experience in a unique way. While survivors will experience many of these symptoms, some survivors may only experience a few of them, while others may experience none at all. We must be careful not to judge whether someone has been subjected to abuse by the number of symptoms they display. Because many survivors are afraid to tell anyone, it is important that we treat anyone who says they have been sexually abused, as if they have.

It is now well-established that almost all survivors of childhood sexual abuse suffer severe and long lasting emotional trauma.

The trauma is usually compounded by the myths, prejudice and stigma associated with abuse. Survivors who buy-in to these myths have to fight feelings of guilt and shame. The burden can be overwhelming especially if the people they come into contact with reinforce those myths. Police procedures in particular must not cause further trauma to the survivor who must be given all possible support to overcome and survive the ordeal of disclosure.

It is essential to remember that disclosure is a frightening prospect and that it takes an enormous amount of courage for a survivor to come forward. Questions such as “what have I started?”, “where will this go?”, “what if I’m not believed?” have unpredictable answers and add to the fear surrounding disclosure. The symptoms listed in this handout give some clues as to what may be going on for a survivor during disclosure

Coping mechanisms used by adult survivors

Survivors of childhood sexual and physical abuse have developed a range of mechanisms to help them cope with the behavioural and psychological responses to the abuse. Some are more helpful than others, and although we may feel that we would want to help the client to minimise their dependency on unhelpful coping mechanisms, we must respect their choices. Helping to keep them safe is more helpful than condemning their choices.

Some common coping mechanisms are:

• Alcohol and drug abuse.

• Obsessive behaviour and strict routines.

• Self harming e.g. cutting, scratching or burning.

• Forgetting or minimising the abuse.

• Turning to God/Religion.

• Breaking ties with, or confronting, the abuser.

• Speaking about it and receiving support.

• Fighting back e.g. speaking publicly or helping other survivors.

• Working to protect children from abuse.

• Writing about abuse.

• Dissociation

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