Rachael Riseden
Professor Albertson
English 111
12 December 2014 When discussing sexual assault or rape, people often overlook the effects and aftermath of the situation, especially non-physical effects. Those of us who have the privilege of receiving public education are taught about the importance of consent-getting someone’s permission before touching their body-in sexual education classes, or maybe we are taught by our parents or other guardians. Regardless of how we are taught, we all learn that it is wrong to touch other people when we are told “no”. However, we hardly ever take the time to consider that there are more lasting effects of sexual assault than making someone uncomfortable. Sexual assault damages victims’ health physically as well as psychologically (Campbell). It is most common to hear about the physical impacts sexual assault can have on victims.
Perpetrators of sexual assault are motivated by feelings of power and control over their victims, and therefore are violent and forceful, which can cause lasting physical damage to the victim.
One hundred percent of completed rapes, 39 percent of attempted rapes, and 17 percent of sexual assaults against females result in injured victims. Immediate physical effects a person can experience after a sexual assault or rape include bruising, bleeding, difficulty walking, soreness of the body, disorientation, nausea, vomiting, and tension headaches, among other effects. Some other physical consequences experienced by rape survivors include gynecological damages, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (“STDs”) (Eby, Campbell, Sullivan, and Davidson). Rape involving physical force can cause tears or cuts in the vagina or rectum, leading to bleeding and/or infections. Female rape survivors’ periods may become irregular, heavy, or painful, and they may experience vaginal discharge or contract