Coping with Rape and Sexual Assault: Introduction

Being raped or sexually assaulted is a very distressing experience with effects that can be long lasting.

Because the majority of rapes are reported to be against women this leaflet is written from the woman's perspective. However it is acknowledged that male rape exists and the University Counselling Service will offer support to all casualties of rape. Therefore throughout this page advice and suggestions are relevant to either gender.

Women who have suffered sexual attacks describe feeling:

• frightened
• guilty
• powerless
• angry
• ashamed
• depressed
• numb
• lacking self-confidence

Sometimes women have difficulty with eating or sleeping. They may lack concentration and find this makes academic work difficult. Every woman reacts differently and it is not unusual for feelings to change from day to day. In particular there can be a long gap between the assault and the emotional reaction. It can be difficult to talk about the attack to friends or family yet it is important to have understanding and support. It can be helpful to talk to a trained person in confidence - one of the University Counsellors, or a local Rape Crisis Centre - listed in contacts.