SV effects

The effects of sexualized violence vary and can manifest themselves at any stage of life. They may vary depending on age, the relationship between the abuser and the abused, the nature, duration, frequency, severity of the abuse, reactions of people around you, and the support provided to the abused. 

The main effects of sexualized violence are as follows:

• Physchological: feelings of anger, guilt, shame, fear, inferiority, intrusive memories, nightmares, difficulty concentrating, emotional incoherence, post-traumatic stress disorder, allergic skin rash, blood pressure fluctuations, shortness of breath, vomiting, sleep and eating disorders, depression, mood swings, isolation, suicidal thoughts/attempts, aggression, destructive behavior (use of drugs, alcohol), etc. 
• Physical: genital injury, bruising, fractures, vaginal/anal discharge or bleeding, vaginal/anal pain, itching or swelling, painful urination or defecation, marks or lesions on the breasts, buttocks, lower abdomen, inner thighs, skin conditions, reproductive function disorders, weakness, fatigue, frequent urination, etc.
• Sexual health-related issues: frigidity /lack of sexual desire/, increased sexual desire, irregular and uncontrollable sexual behavior, vaginismus /muscle spasms in the vagina/, sexually transmitted diseases. 

The effects of sexualized violence are diverse, and in addition to the above, a person subjected to sexualized violence may also experience other individual effects.

The immediate effects of sexualized violence are divided into 3 stages:

• Shock
• Adaptation
• Reintegration.

Sexualized violence is immediately followed by the initial stage of shock. As a result of violence, the daily routine is turned upside down. A person’s emotional state gets worse.

In the hours following sexualized violence, a person who has been sexually abused may have conflicting and changing feelings. The following reactions and feelings may appear in the first days:  

• Frequent aggression and anger towards others for minor reasons,
• Fear,
• Feeling dirty, constantly wanting to take a shower,
• Shame and humiliation,
• Depression, sadness,
• Change in mood,
• A feeling of not being understood and a desire to be left alone with one’s problem,
• Extraordinary reactions in ordinary situations (for example, fear when a stranger asks what time it is),
• Feeling of guilt for things you did not do /did not scream and fight/ or things you did /accept the invitation or open the door to a stranger/,
• Changes in the inner world: feelings of emptiness, loss of purity and sincerity, feeling of being worthless and broken,
• Anxiety, confusion.

The thoughts and behavior of a person who has been sexually abused may change. A person may relive the violence in their mind, think about what they could have said or done, why it happened particularly to them. They can become very sensitive, have the feeling that they are losing touch with reality and are no longer aware of what is happening around them.

A person may have a desire to be alone, to hide, to stay in bed all day, may be anxious around people, may not want to go to work and see other people. They may have strong feelings when they see someone who looks like the abuser. They may be extremely quiet, preferring to hide emotions, or constantly surrounded by people, refusing to be alone and returning to normal activities. 

Acceptance: When a person gradually comes out of the stage of shock and wants to return to normal life, it means that the adaptation stage has begun. Thus begins the return to everyday life. The person feels ready to return to their daily routine. They want to forget about the abuse and focus on the details of life they have not paid attention to recently. They are able to take care of themselves using the energy they used to spend on controlling their emotions. The abuse and the resulting emotions are less disturbing. A person may even deny that what happened still bothers them.

Nightmares reminding of the sexualized violence still persist in this stage. Dreams can change, although remaining violent, but different images begin to manifest in them. For example, a person who has been sexually abused may defend themselves, take revenge on the attacker, etc.

At this stage, the person may still be afraid of unexpected touch or feel scared when someone enters the room. 

The main element of this stage is “activity”. The abused person tries to take responsibility for their life. There is a desire to feel good again. They may change their phone number, their job, may want to move to another place. The opposite is also possible, namely, unwillingness to change lifestyle. 

In this stage, as well as in the initial stage of shock, the person may have various fears or phobias.

During the adaptation period, challenges in overcoming the usual difficulties of life may also arise. Talking about what happened can have a positive effect on the person who has been subjected to sexualized violence.

Reintegration stage: At this stage, the person is ready to resume their daily activities. Their nervous system has largely recovered, they may have a need to think about ways to overcome the incident of violence, the disturbing feelings and thoughts. Frustration, anger and guilt may resurface. This stage marks a period of self-reflection, during which they may feel lonely and may need to talk to someone who will be able to answer some of their questions. They may feel weak, and recurring nightmares in turn may affect the fear of being left alone or prolong the state of inability to have sex. The positive achievements they had during this period may seem unstable. They may have a feeling of anger towards the abuser, as well as family members and relatives. They doubt the decisions they made while seeking safety. The need to feel free again creates a sense of uncertainty. This is the period of return to independence. 

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