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The Student Who Has Been Sexually Asaulted
Sexual assault can be any sexual activity that a person does not consent to and includes inappropriate touch, nonconsensual sexual intercourse, forcible or attempted rape. Sexual assault can be visual, verbal, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention. It can happen across settings and can be perpetrated by people known or unknown to the victim/survivor.
People who have experienced sexual assault have experienced a profound violation. Their sense of safety and predictability has been shattered. Survivors’ reactions may vary profoundly depending on their life circumstances and amount of social support.
Some of the reactions of individuals who have experienced some type of sexual assault may include:
- Shock. Many survivors go through periods of numbness or disbelief.
- Disturbing memories. These memories may occur at very unexpected and unpredictable times, and may interfere with concentration in class, while studying, etc.
- Being overwhelmed with feelings. These may vary from survivor to survivor, but typically include sadness, anger, fear, and powerlessness.
- Physical symptoms. In addition to injuries from the sexual assault, they may experience headaches, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and other symptoms.
- Impact on other relationships: difficulty trusting, isolating self.
- Self blame. It is common for the survivor to question what he/she did wrong to cause the assault or rape.
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Intervention, Consultation and Referral
The Anxious Student
The Suspicious Student
The Depressed Student
The Suicidal Student
The Student in Poor Contact with Reality
The Student Under the Influence
The Student Who May Have An Eating Disorder
The Student Who Has Been Sexually Assaulted
Violence and the Verbally Aggressive Student
Departmental Safety Plan
Counseling Center Services
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Issues to consider when a person has just been sexually assaulted.
It is important to understand that the nature of sexual assault is a violent and aggressive act. Often the victim/survivor experiences a sense of violation and powerlessness over their own body.
In order to prevent further injury to the victim/survivor, consider the following:
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It is helpful to
- Be sure the individual is in a safe place and not still in danger of further assault.
- Be aware of your tone of voice. Victims/survivors may be sensitive to loud noises or voices.
- Be mindful of how you interact physically. Leave personal space between you and the victim/survivor and always ask before you touch them. Allow the victim/survivor to begin to regain a sense of control over their own bodies and respect their wishes with regard to physical contact.
- Ask about the person’s physical condition (i.e. physical injury, exposure to disease or pregnancy) and whether or not they may need medical treatment*.
- Communicate what is going on. Keep the victim/survivor informed and involved in decision making (to the extent possible) as you seek support (i.e. family/friends, law enforcement, advocate services) for them following an assault.
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It is not helpful to
- Make assumptions. Avoid language that is presumptive (i.e. sexual orientation, religion, family or origin, ethnicity, identity, etc.). It can be very difficult for victims/survivors to trust anyone after an assault, and they need to feel safe.
- Judge choices or make decisions for the victim/survivor without their knowledge.
- Press for specific details, except to clarify what you are hearing.
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