Commonly reported negative effects of sexual assault include feelings of fear (62% women, 18% men), concerns for safety (57% women, 17% men), and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 52% women, 17% men).
1 Numerous studies examining victimization and its psychological impact found that victims of sexual assault are at increased risk for developing PTSD, with abuse severity predicting higher levels of PTSD symptoms.
2-6 Research examining the physical effects of sexual assault among men and women identified asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, frequent headaches, chronic pain, difficulty sleeping, and limitations in daily activities.
1,7 A review by Jina and Thomas
8 also documented multiple physical consequences resulting from sexual violence against women, such as gastrointestinal symptoms (eg, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea), cardiopulmonary and neurologic symptoms (eg, shortness of breath, arrhythmias, chest pain, asthma, hyperventilation, numbness, weakness, insomnia, fatigue), genital and reproductive symptoms (eg, vaginal bleeding or infection, genital irritation, pelvic pain, urinary tract infections, painful intercourse, and lack of sexual pleasure), PTSD, and depression.
8 Physical effects observed among child and adolescent victims of sexual trauma include genital pain, dysuria, and genital bleeding.
9