Mental Side Effects Of Rape

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The Physical, Emotional, and Mental Side Effects of Rape.
Rape. It’s a word that people cringe at. It’s a tragedy and a strengthening experience all in one. It can happen to anybody, at any point in time. The Joyful Heart Foundation defines rape as forced sexual intercourse, including any completed or attempted unwanted vaginal, oral, or anal penetration through the use of physical force (such as being pinned or held down, or by the use of violence) or threats to physically harm (such as killing the victim). Rape is a very traumatic experience and it leaves behind so many side effects on the person it happens to. The side effects range from physical to emotional and then onto the mental part of it all, and it effects each person in a different way. You can be affected in any and all possible ways by a rape. {www.joyfulheartfoundation.org}
One of the ways a person is affected the most at first is physically. There are several common physical effects of rape, they range from mild to severe. Some of these effects include: bruising, bleeding, difficulty walking, soreness, broken or dislocated bones, sexually transmitted infections or diseases, and/or pregnancy. Although some are short term effects, they still take a toll on a person. A …show more content…

After a traumatic experience such as this, you will never be the same emotionally. Some people end up being worse off than others, but it does take a big toll on the victim in every situation. There are a lot of emotional effects from a sexual assault. A few of these effects are: changes in trusting others, anger and blame, shock, numbness, loss of control, disorientation, helplessness, sense of vulnerability, fear, self-blame/guilt, and feeling that all of these emotions are a sign of weakness. In such a situation as this, it is never the victim's fault, but they often assume it is. They think that they caused the assault, especially if they know who did it.

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