Sexual trauma occurs when someone experiences sexual actions or behaviors without their consent, causing emotional or psychological harm. While not everyone responds to sexual trauma in the same way, it can often lead to extreme anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, insomnia, and dissociation. Some people may recover relatively quickly, but many others develop post-traumatic stress disorder, with symptoms that can persist for months or even years.
To cope with the long-term pain of sexual trauma, a person may adopt unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance abuse or self-harm. They may also struggle with intimacy in relationships and isolate themselves from their loved ones. However, it’s important to know that with proper treatment, healing is possible. Individuals who have experienced sexual trauma can recover fully and go on to have fulfilling intimate relationships.
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What Is Sexual Trauma?
Sexual trauma is a type of trauma that develops after experiencing non-consensual sexual harassment, assault, molestation, rape, exploitation, or forced exposure to sexual content. Sexual trauma survivors may struggle with intrusive memories, flashbacks, and nightmares related to the event, as well as intense anxiety and fears of relationships.
What Causes Sexual Trauma?
Sexual trauma is caused by any unwanted sexual activity or experience that results in physical, emotional, or psychological harm. This can include:
- Sexual assault or rape
- Child sexual abuse
- Sexual harassment
- Intimate partner violence
- Sexual exploitation
- Sex trafficking
- Non-consensual media sharing
In most cases of sexual trauma, there is an imbalance of power between the perpetrator and the victim (i.e., an adult to a child or a person of authority to their subordinate). Additionally, in certain cultures or communities, unhealthy or inappropriate sexual behaviors may not be taken seriously or may even be normalized. This creates an environment where perpetrators feel emboldened to commit abuse, and victims feel powerless to stop it or seek justice.
During a traumatic experience, our bodies can enter a phase called fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. When we encounter a threat, our nervous system activates and releases cortisol, a stress hormone. This hormone helps prepare the body to confront or escape the danger. This intense physiological reaction results in memories being created with the accompanying emotional, physical, and psychological sensations. Consequently, these experiences can lead to long-term sexual trauma.
Why Are Some People More Likely to Experience Sexual Trauma?
Individuals from marginalized groups, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, often face higher rates of sexual trauma. Additionally, not having a supportive network can make a person more vulnerable to these experiences. When you don’t have support, it’s easy to feel isolated, ashamed, and lonely, which can make it harder to seek help or report what happened.1 If someone has experienced trauma before, it can also increase the risk of facing more trauma in the future. This can be due to various reasons, like ongoing psychological effects, trouble setting boundaries, or being targeted by those who see them as vulnerable.
Risk factors for experiencing sexual trauma include:
- Age: Younger individuals may be more susceptible to sexual trauma due to their inability to advocate for themselves, separate themselves from an abuser, or defend themselves.
- Gender: Research shows women (81%) are more likely than men (43%) to report some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetimes.2
- Substance use: People who misuse substances may be at a higher risk of sexual trauma due to the impairing effects of substances or the methods by which to obtain illegal drugs.
- Domestic violence at home: Research shows a history of childhood emotional neglect or abuse, and strained family dynamics may increase the likelihood of childhood sexual abuse.3
Sexual Trauma Symptoms
There is a wide range of ways a person may respond to sexual trauma. Common symptoms include intense feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame, as well as severe anxiety and feelings of hopelessness. A person may struggle with personal hygiene and concentration. Many individuals also experience physical symptoms, such as headaches or gastrointestinal issues.
Physical symptoms of sexual trauma include:
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Hyperarousal (e.g., increased heart rate, fidgeting, sweating)
- Muscle tension and tightness
- Unexplained physical pains
- Stomach upset (e.g., nausea, vomiting)
- Tearfulness and crying spells
Psychological signs of sexual trauma include:
- Self-harming behaviors
- Experimenting and/or abusing substances
- Changes in social behavior or friend groups
- Sudden and intense mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating and changes in school or work performance
- Avoidance of experiences that trigger memories of the traumatic event
- Changes in core beliefs about self, others, and the world
Emotional effects of sexual trauma include:
- Nightmares and flashbacks about the trauma
- Emotional numbing
- Suicidal thoughts
- Dissociating
- Panic attacks and anxiety
- Guilt and shame
- Decreased self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth
- Increase in negative self-talk
- Depressive thoughts and affect
Sexual Trauma Symptoms in Children & Teens
Children who have experienced sexual trauma can exhibit symptoms unique to their age and developmental level. Some examples are imitating sexual acts, sexually acting out with others in play, and using provocative speech or body language. Children can also show sudden emotional instability, difficulty sleeping or bed wetting, withdrawal from relationships with family and friends, or unexplained and fearful behaviors.
Teens with sexual trauma have symptoms similar to both children and adults. Social withdrawal, isolation, suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors, sudden decreased interest in previously enjoyed activities or friend groups, and newly developed depression and anxiety symptoms are all common symptoms. Teenagers are also likely to engage in riskier social and sexual behaviors as a trauma response, including substance experimentation and abuse.
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Long-Term Effects of Sexual Trauma
Experiencing sexual abuse puts individuals at risk of experiencing long-term effects from their trauma. Sexual trauma can contribute to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance misuse.7 These challenges can negatively impact a person’s ability to pursue education, job opportunities, intimate relationships, and personal growth. The intensity of these symptoms depends on the person’s age, the quality of their support system and coping mechanisms, as well as the severity and duration of the trauma.
Here are nine common effects of sexual trauma:
1. Unhealthy Coping Strategies
People may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms in response to sexual trauma. Some may engage in ‘emotional numbing’ tactics like substance use, disordered eating, and self-harm. Others may dissociate to disconnect from their bodies or external surroundings. Self-isolation or avoiding trauma triggers are additional examples of unhealthy coping patterns.
2. Physical Symptoms
Sexual trauma can coincide with various somatic experiences that range in severity. Some of the physical effects of sexual assault include sexual disorders (vaginal pain, erectile dysfunction, limited to no libido), acute or chronic pain, muscle tightness, gastrointestinal distress, headaches, and panic attacks.
3. Difficulty Going Back to Normal Life
Readjusting to daily life after experiencing sexual trauma can be challenging as survivors may have difficulty in their relationships, returning to work or school, and regaining a sense of normalcy and identity. They may also experience sexual anxiety, as even healthy sexual experiences may trigger flashbacks of their trauma.7
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD from sexual assault or abuse can occur with either an immediate or delayed onset. Hallmark symptoms include ruminating thoughts about the abuse, flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and intense feelings of shame or guilt. Not everyone who experiences sexual trauma will develop PTSD, but a lack of support, poor coping skills, and complex trauma can increase the risk.
5. Relationship Difficulties
Sexual trauma triggers can seep into everyday life, and they may become more pronounced in intimate relationships. For example, some people find being emotionally or physically vulnerable with another person challenging. They may struggle to trust others due to a past history of betrayal. Similarly, they might present as either overly guarded or permissive with partners.
6. Mental Health Conditions
Experiencing sexual trauma increases the likelihood of developing various mental health, including anxiety, substance use disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, and dissociative disorders. While sexual trauma is a significant risk factor, it is usually not the only cause of these mental health conditions. Multiple factors, including genetics, environment, and other life experiences, contribute to the development of these disorders.
7. Loss of Safety & Sense of Self
Sexual trauma can deeply affect a person’s sense of safety and trust in themselves and others. It can undermine fundamental beliefs and values, leading to a sense of instability and insecurity. Some people report feelings of emptiness after experiencing or processing trauma. These feelings can be linked to the lingering sense of danger, anger about the violation, or the feeling of being powerless during and after the trauma.
8. Emotional Dysregulation
Individuals who experience sexual trauma often struggle with emotional dysregulation because of the profound and lasting impact of the trauma on their sense of safety and control. The intense feelings of powerlessness and violation accompanying such experiences can disrupt the brain’s ability to process and manage emotions effectively. Emotional dysregulation can include problems expressing emotions, intense and sudden mood swings, and lashing out. Some people may also struggle with self-destructive behaviors or suicidal thoughts.
9. Depersonalization & Derealization
Sexual trauma can cause depersonalization and derealization as a way for the mind to cope with overwhelming stress and emotional pain. Depersonalization involves feeling detached from one’s own body or self, while derealization involves feeling as though the external world is unreal or distorted. These dissociative experiences can serve as protective mechanisms, allowing individuals to distance themselves from the intense fear, helplessness, and violation associated with the trauma.
Heal from Abuse with the Help of a Therapist.
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How to Heal From Sexual Trauma
Healing from sexual trauma can be a complex and vulnerable journey. Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all strategy with a defined timeline for how “long” healing from sexual trauma takes. That said, seeking support from others, prioritizing self-care, and seeking professional guidance can make a tremendous difference in how you feel.
Here are some tips and worksheets for healing from sexual trauma:
- Develop a plan to stay safe: The first step to healing is ensuring that no further harm can happen to you. Identify safe people and spaces where you feel most secure. You can also consider contacting local or community organizations for support. Regardless of where you find shelter, ensure you feel comfortable and have adequate resources to protect yourself.
- Inform authorities when necessary: Some people find reporting the abuse helps facilitate their healing process. Consider consulting a therapist or attorney for the next steps.
- Speak to a therapist, counselor, and/or psychiatrist: A therapist can help you to process the trauma and develop coping skills for PTSD symptoms. If your symptoms are severe, you may want to find a psychiatrist to discuss medication options.
- Be prepared to do the work: A mental health professional can help guide you through recovery, but you must actively participate to achieve long-lasting success. Be consistent with your attendance to therapy and commitment to improving your well-being and coping skills.
- Limit substance use: Although you may want to use drugs or alcohol to cope, in the long run, it will only exacerbate the impact of the sexual trauma.
- Adopt self-care practices: The shame and self-loathing that many sexual trauma survivors feel can stop them from practicing self-care. Although you may not feel like you deserve to take care of yourself, push yourself to do activities that make you feel good about yourself. Over time, the self-loathing and guilt will decrease, and you will feel more deserving.
- Practice self-compassion: Self-compassion means giving yourself grace and kindness. Although you may be struggling to love yourself right now, try to treat yourself as you would a friend you love. The sell-love will develop with time.
- Set boundaries: When a person experiences sexual trauma, their boundaries are not respected. It is important to teach yourself that you can say no and set boundaries with others. Honor what gives you peace. Don’t feel obligated to “give” when depleted or resentful.
- Consider mindfulness: Many individuals cope with sexual trauma by dissociating because their bodies do not feel safe. Learning to be in your body is a key part of healing. Meditation for PTSD, breathwork, and trauma-informed yoga can help you stop dissociating and re-learn that it is safe to be present in your body.
- Don’t rush the process: Healing often takes time. Sometimes, you may feel like you take three steps forward and two steps back. That said, you evolve with every new insight you integrate. Be patient and compassionate with yourself as you grow.
- Advocate for yourself and others: Activism can be an important part of your healing process. Using your voice to help others can validate your experience and facilitate post-traumatic growth.
8 Free Worksheets for Trauma Healing
This collection of worksheets provides practical tools and strategies for managing trauma symptoms.
Treatment of Sexual Trauma
Although trauma can make a person hyper-independent, it is important to seek professional help. If your sexual trauma was recent, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. A doctor can provide insight and reassurance about physical health and help you contact law enforcement.
After speaking with a medical doctor, you should talk to a mental health professional. They can help you figure out what you need to heal and provide support to achieve your complete recovery.
Therapy for Sexual Trauma
Therapy can create a safe space for survivors to process their sexual trauma and challenge the negative and unhelpful thoughts that developed. The goal is to support you in minimizing your trauma-related symptoms and controlling how the traumatic event and triggers affect you. There are many different types of therapies for trauma, and it is important to find a treatment plan that works for you.
Here are some effective therapy options for healing from sexual trauma:
- Psychodynamic therapy: Psychodynamic therapy focuses on understanding how clients view the world and themselves to gain insight into promoting healing and recovery.
- Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): TF-CBT is an evidence-based treatment model for children and adolescents exposed to trauma. This approach involves both the child and their caregiver in treatment to develop skills to manage emotions and enhance future safety.
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT): Cognitive processing therapy is a short-term approach that focuses on recovery by teaching clients to be their own therapists when future problems arise.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR for PTSD is a psychotherapy model that helps people heal from the symptoms and emotional distress of trauma through therapist-directed lateral eye movements, hand-tapping, audio stimulation, or various external stimuli.
- Accelerated resolution therapy (ART): ART is an evidence-based psychotherapy that promotes accelerated recovery by adapting how the brain stores traumatic memories and imagery. This model uses memory visualization techniques enhanced with horizontal eye movements and memory reconsolidation to help incorporate new information into existing memories.
- Group therapy: Connecting with others with similar experiences can provide a sense of community and validation that’s difficult to find elsewhere. Survivors of sexual trauma can greatly benefit from sharing their experiences in a safe and controlled environment that’s designed for emotional support.
Medication for Sexual Trauma
Sexual trauma treatment often includes medications to aid in managing PTSD symptoms. Prescribers often suggest SSRIs, as research has supported the efficacy of these medications in minimizing symptoms. Some studies have also observed limited benefits with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Sometimes, clinicians may use other classes of medication to treat troubling symptoms of PTSD, such as insomnia, flashbacks, and nightmares.
How to Find Professional Support
You are not alone in your experience. Support is available, and people are ready to offer understanding and empathy as you navigate your healing journey. Grow Therapy is an online therapist directory that offers many detailed filters, which makes finding a trauma-informed therapist who takes your insurance easy. If you prefer to see a therapist remotely, BetterHelp or Talkspace provides therapists who specialize in trauma-informed care.
If you want to explore medication, a primary care physician, psychiatrist, or psychiatric nurse practitioner can recommend pharmaceutical options. Alternatively, online psychiatry services such as Talkiatry or Brightside Health provide more comprehensive care for individuals who experience sexual trauma.
Recover from Trauma with the Help of a Therapist.
Therapy can help you live a better life. BetterHelp provides convenient and affordable online therapy, starting at $65 per week and is FSA/HSA eligible by most providers. Take a free online assessment and get matched with the right therapist for you!
How Common Is Sexual Trauma?
Determining how common sexual trauma is is difficult because only 25% of sexual assault survivors report their experiences.4 Many sexual trauma survivors do not report because they fear for their safety or have feelings of shame, guilt, or even denial. Others cannot report because they are too young or have limitations impacting their communication.
Research shows an American is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds, with child victims every nine minutes.5 Additionally, roughly 20% of adults report being sexually abused as children, often by someone they knew or trusted.5, 6 Unfortunately, one in three women and one in four men will encounter sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes.7
How to Help a Child Who Experienced Sexual Trauma
It is terrifying to have your child disclose to you that they have experienced sexual abuse. Despite your inner turmoil, try to remain understanding and empathetic, offering unconditional support. A strong reaction can cause a child to stop talking or recant their disclosure.
Here are ways to keep a child safe after they disclose sexual abuse:8
- Believe their truth: You must listen and trust a child’s truth. Remember, they likely feel nervous about telling you, so be validating and thankful for their honesty.
- Seek medical attention: After an acute sexual assault, your child may sustain physical injuries. Seeking medical care can also help professionals gather needed evidence when building a court case.
- Support them in recovery: Don’t play detective. Instead, focus on being their support system. Let the professionals ask questions about what, when, and how. Personal involvement could jeopardize the investigation and discredit their testimony.
- Offer them a safe space to talk: Be a listening ear. Your child may need to “let it all out,” especially if they bottled their emotions for a long time after the event. Let them talk as much as they want to alleviate that burden.
- Consider more monitoring: You may need to reevaluate who your child spends with after a sexual abuse disclosure. Online activities may also require more scrutinization, particularly if your child has their own electronic devices.
- Aim to maintain a normal routine: Trauma can disrupt a child’s entire world. As much as possible, help cultivate a sense of familiarity and grounding by maintaining some sense of a familiar routine each day.
- Talk to a therapist: Your child may need their own private space to process what happened. If you’re not sure about the next step, consult with an experienced trauma-informed therapist who can provide you with potential therapy options, such as individual or family therapy.
In My Experience
“As a trauma-focused therapist, I understand the road to recovery can be complex and tenuous. However, support and safety can provide the necessary haven for healing. If you are struggling, remember you are not alone. Trauma can be integrated and transformed, and you can make meaning and live fully despite what happened to you.”
Sexual Trauma Infographics
ChoosingTherapy.com strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Scheer, J. R., & Antebi-Gruszka, N. (2019). A Psychosocial Risk Model of Potentially Traumatic Events And Sexual Risk Behavior Among LGBTQ Individuals. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 20(5), 603–618. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2019.1597815
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Statistics. (n.d.). National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Retrieved from: https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics
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What Places Youth at Risk? (n.d.). Joshua Center On Child Sexual Abuse Prevention. Retrieved from: https://uwjoshuacenter.org/what-places-youth-risk
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Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv18.pdf
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Scope of the Problem. (2020). Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network. Retrieved from https://www.rainn.org/statistics/scope-problem
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Childhelp. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.childhelp.org/child-abuse/
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Sexual Violence. (2020). Center of Disease Control. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/index.html
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American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: Author.
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Janice R. Miles, LMFT (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Revised sections titled “What Causes Sexual Trauma?” “Sexual Trauma Symptoms,” and “Treatment of Sexual Trauma.” New content written by Faith Watson Doppelt, LPC, LAC, and medically reviewed by Naveed Saleh, MD, MS. Fact-checked and edited for improved readability and clarity.
Author: Janice R. Miles, LMFT (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Added sections titled “What Causes Sexual Trauma?”, “How to Heal From Sexual Trauma”
Updated the following sections “What Is Sexual Trauma?”, “Negative Coping Strategies”, “Physical Symptoms”, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)”, “Relationships Difficulties”, “Mental Health Conditions”, “Loss of Self”, Emotional Dysregulation”, “Depersonalization & Derealization”. New content written by Nicole Artz, LMFT and medically reviewed by Kristen Fuller, MD. Fact-checked and edited for improved readability and clarity.
Author: Janice R. Miles, LMFT (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Fact-checked and edited for improved readability and clarity.
Author: Janice R. Miles, LMFT
Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
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9 Types of Therapy for Trauma
Experiencing trauma can result in distressing and debilitating symptoms, but remind yourself that there is hope for healing. If you or a loved one is suffering from the aftereffects of trauma, consider seeking therapy. Trauma therapy can help you reclaim your life and a positive sense of self.
