| Universal Reactions to Sexual Assault |
Many men who have experienced rape or sexual
assualt report feelings like these. It is not unusual. Try to allow yourself
time to experience these feelings - they are your body's natural response in
your situation. However painful they may be, denying them is not helpful in the
long run.
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- Emotional Shock: I
feel numb. How can I be so calm? Why can't I cry?
- Disbelief and/or
Denial: Did it really happen? Why me? Maybe I just imagined it. It
wasn't really rape.
- Embarrassment: What
will people think? I can't tell my family or friends.
- Shame: I feel
completely filthy, like there's something wrong with me. I can't get clean.
- Guilt: I feel as if
it's my fault, or I should've been able to stop it. If only I had...
- Depression: How am I
gonna get through the day? I'm so tired! I feel so hopeless. Maybe I'd be
better off dead
- Powerlessness: Will
I ever feel in control again?
- Disorientation: I
don't even know what day it is, or where I'm supposed to be. I keep forgetting
things.
- Flashbacks: I'm
still re-living the assault. I keep seeing that face and feeling like it's
happening all over again.
- Fear: I'm scared of
everything. What if I have STDs or AIDS? I can't sleep because I'll have
nightmares. I'm afraid to go out. I'm afraid to be alone.
- Anxiety: I'm having
panic attacks. I can't breathe. I can't stop shaking. I feel overwhelmed.
- Anger: I feel like
killing the person who attacked me!
- Physical Stress: My
stomach (or head or back) aches all the time. I feel jittery and don't feel
like eating.
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| You can find
out how to manage these feelings in a practical way by reading our self-help
guide. Click here to find out more. |
No-one deserves to
be raped.
No survivor deserves the blame.
|
0808 808 4321
Every thursday evening 8pm to 10pm
or email
support@male-rape.org.uk
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