Sexual assault can be one of the most difficult things you’ve ever had to endure in life.
Trauma doesn’t just go away overnight. In order to recover, it’s going to take time, support, and a clear understanding of what your body and mind are going through. For most people, the actual timeline of healing after sexual assault and what to expect are a mystery.
The good news? With the right information and support system, you can absolutely recover.
Let’s take a look at:
- The reality of post-trauma stress
- Recovery timelines after sexual assault
- The role of your body in trauma
- How to build your support system
- Creating your own recovery plan
The Timeline Of Recovery After Sexual Assault
Every 68 seconds, another person in the United States is sexually assaulted.
In just one year, that’s over 3.3 million individual assaults on American citizens. The first few minutes and hours can feel like a complete blur. You probably feel numb. Like your life has been put on pause and you’re going through the motions. If you’ve been assaulted recently, you may be experiencing any of these reactions. That’s completely normal.
The numbness and disassociation are your brain’s way of protecting you from the trauma in one large dose. You’ll find that, for many survivors, the criminal investigations and legal work (such as working with a Denver sexual assault defense lawyer, etc.) start before you have a chance to catch your breath. A legal team can help you prepare for the upcoming battle with the judicial system while your body and mind are still reeling from the assault itself.
PTSD and Sexual Assault
75% of sexual assault survivors met the full criteria for PTSD one month after the attack. Research shows that a majority of sexual assault survivors experience PTSD in the aftermath of a sexual assault.
The more surprising statistics is that 81% had clinically significant PTSD symptoms one week after the assault.
PTSD symptoms after sexual assault include flashbacks or nightmares about the trauma, avoiding places, people, or things that remind you of the assault, feeling on edge, negative thoughts about yourself or the world, sleep problems, and trouble concentrating.
The number one reason people don’t seek treatment for PTSD and sexual assault is the belief that it would not help. Many people think PTSD is untreatable and therefore don’t seek professional treatment. It’s true that PTSD has a tendency to linger, but effective treatments are available.
The full recovery timeline for PTSD and sexual assault
Researchers refer to the first three months after sexual assault as a “critical period for natural recovery.” During this time, you’ll do a lot of natural healing work.
Week 1. In the first week after the assault, you may feel numb, disoriented, and overwhelmed.
Month 1. One month after the attack, a majority of survivors still meet full criteria for PTSD.
3 Months. At three months, about half of survivors still experience PTSD symptoms.
1 Year. After one year, PTSD symptoms continue to improve. About 41% of survivors are still symptomatic at the one-year mark.
The long-term statistics for PTSD recovery after sexual assault look promising, but remember that everyone’s timeline is different. The recovery timeline for PTSD and sexual assault can vary widely based on individual circumstances and support. There is no “right” way to heal from trauma.
Timeline Of Recovery After Sexual Assault: How Your Body Responds
When we experience something traumatic, our brain releases stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline to help us deal with the threat. The thing is, those stress hormones are still in your body long after the initial trauma is over.
This is why you experience the physical symptoms of trauma, including a racing heart and difficulty breathing, shaking or feeling unstable, sleep problems, and changes in appetite or digestive issues. Your body’s nervous system is stuck in high-alert mode because it thinks the threat is still there. It’s also helpful to know how your body naturally processes trauma so that you can be more patient with yourself while you heal.
Timeline Of Recovery After Sexual Assault: Your Support System
The best predictor of healing from trauma is social support. Positive and validating support from others has been shown to decrease feelings of helplessness, isolation, and self-blame, while negative reactions can increase these negative emotions.
Some of the most supportive relationships for healing from trauma include a supportive friend or family member that can simply listen and validate your experiences without judgment, a professional therapist that has training and experience in working with trauma, a support group with other people who have had similar experiences, and a crisis hotline if you need someone to talk to right away.
The National Sexual Assault Hotline number is 1-800-656-4673. Hotlines are available 24/7.
Timeline Of Recovery After Sexual Assault: Treatment That Works
Recovering from trauma doesn’t just happen passively with time.
Proven treatments such as Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Cognitive Processing Therapy have been shown to speed up the recovery process. These treatments help you process the trauma in a safe and supportive environment, as well as teach coping skills for managing difficult emotions and experiences.
Survivors are also using smartphone apps that teach evidence-based coping skills. Technology is rapidly advancing in the field of mental health treatment, and this is one area that will continue to see new options in the coming years.
Timeline Of Recovery After Sexual Assault: Self-Blame
Sexual assault is NEVER the survivor’s fault. Ever. But many survivors find themselves getting stuck in self-blame about the assault.
Your brain can try to convince you that you “should have known better,” “could have done something differently,” or “must have wanted it.” This is your brain’s way of trying to help you make sense of the trauma or feel more in control of the situation. But it doesn’t help in the long run.
The truth? The only person responsible for sexual assault is the person who chooses to commit it. Sexual assault is 100% preventable if people take responsibility for their own actions. Focusing on the present and things you can control now is far more productive than wallowing in the past.
Timeline Of Recovery After Sexual Assault: Moving Through The Stages
Trauma recovery occurs in stages rather than all at once. First, there’s an impact stage that occurs right after the trauma. Then, survivors often experience denial or numbness. Some survivors find themselves in a stage where they continually revisit the trauma. Over time, you move into a short-term recovery stage where you’re open to help. And then finally, the long-term recovery stage, where you learn to manage emotions and build a new life.
Keep in mind that recovery stages aren’t neat and linear. You may bounce back and forth between them for a while. That’s part of the process, not a sign that you’re failing.
Timeline Of Recovery After Sexual Assault: Building Your Recovery Plan
Recovery from trauma is a personal journey. What works for someone else may not work for you.
The important thing is to figure out what makes you feel safe, supported, and moving in the right direction. Professional treatment is the most effective way to speed up recovery and gain tools for managing symptoms. Social support is also key to healing from trauma. The number one reason people don’t seek treatment for PTSD and sexual assault is the belief that it would not help.
Self-blame for sexual assault is common but not helpful. Instead, focus on what you can control in the present.
Final Thoughts On Recovery After Sexual Assault
Healing from a sexual assault takes time, patience, and support.
Thankfully, the statistics for recovery after sexual assault are positive – most people see a significant amount of healing in the first three months, and it continues to improve over time. But there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline for recovery.
The recovery timeline for sexual assault varies widely based on individual circumstances and available support. Remember, you deserve support, compassion, and time to heal.
Whether you’re a week or a year past your sexual assault, there’s still hope for recovery. You don’t have to do this alone.