Over the years, I have counseled, interviewed, and evaluated many victims of childhood sexual abuse. Sexual abuse changes the trajectory of many victims’ lives, and nothing is the same after you experience it. Unfortunately, many victims who experience it may never tell anyone that they were harmed. Some even forget what happened altogether. Others can’t forget no matter how hard they try, and they feel themselves drowning to the depths of despair. Many victims who suffer severe consequences of sexual abuse stop caring about themselves and quietly give up on life. Here are some of the severe consequences that many victims face because of being sexually assaulted.
- Incarceration. People who have been abused struggle with anger due to their ability to emotionally regulate. However, anger often serves as a protective emotion. Anger coupled with low frustration tolerance can lead to a life of crime. Common crimes of sexual abuse victims include assault and violence, sex, drugs, and homicide. Drugs are often used as a way to try and forget the pain and attempt to numb emotions. Victims of abuse can be prone to assault and violence, because they never stop fighting to protect themselves. They may lash out in anger or aggression because they never want to be a victim again. Other victims of abuse and assault struggle with extreme paranoia and distrust and can lash out to the point of killing someone when they feel their safety is in jeopardy.
- Homelessness. Victims struggle with stability after being abused. They may find themselves unraveling after the first assault. The inability to feel safe inside one’s own body leads to decompensation in mental health and ability to cope. Because they are unable to cope on their own, victims may withdraw from all the things that maintained their stability: work, school, family, friends, hobbies, and ambitions. Instead, they may find themselves not caring about what happens to them, struggle with substance abuse, or have challenging mental health symptoms such as psychosis, PTSD, or major depressive disorder. If they are unable and unwilling to control their symptoms, or are without a support system, they may find themselves on the street.
- Suicide. When someone has violated your trust and your body in the worst way, the mind is unable to rest. When you feel like you have tried everything, and you are still not able to not able to come out of the slumps of despair, you may feel like suicide is the answer. It may seem like the only answer to quiet the inner turmoil that you have gone through. Even the thought of suicide may bring you inner peace. When someone is alone with their thoughts and memories, they may feel like there is only one way out.
- Memory loss. You may find that you have forgotten all about your sexual abuse. There is a period in time and your mind draws a blank. The inability to remember can be a defense/survival mechanism, particularly if you are still in contact with or in a relationship with your abuser. There is potential that it could come back, however, you would need to create more feelings of safety so you can feel safe to remember.
- Sexual anorexia. The idea of intimacy or closeness, particularly sex can cause you to feel disgusted. You go out of your way to avoid any situation where sex might occur, the idea of sex causes you anxiety, there is a sense of self-loathing (including loathing of your body) if you engage in sexual contact, and you may feel as though you need to be punished if you engage in sexual activity. You feel negatively about sex or any activity associated with sex.
- Rape-based fantasy. You may feel sexually “stuck” by your assault and make attempts to re-enact your assault during acts of intimacy. You also may feel like there is something wrong with you or feel ashamed for wanting to do this. The desire to re-enact the abuse may also lead you to specific kink or BDSM communities. Raped-based reenactments are a victim’s attempt to try and control the situation and the outcome; thus a victim is trying to get their power back by attempting to have a different outcome (which is common among trauma survivors). Victims can be aware of their rape-based reenactments, however, sometimes, they are done subconsciously.
Sexual assault is incredibly painful, however there is help for those who have experienced it. I encourage anyone who has been assaulted to reach out for assistance from a professional therapist. You can also chat, text, or contact the 24-hour sexual assault hotline to speak with someone at National Sexual Assault Hotline – RAINN.
This blog was written by Dr. Natalie Jones, PsyD, LPCC®. This blog is meant to be educational and not meant to diagnose anyone or to be used in place of therapy or treatment with a licensed mental health professional.
This blog falls under the intellectual property of www.drnataliejones.com, and should not be copied without Dr. Natalie Jones’ consent. Please use appropriate links when sharing this blog.
© 2026 Dr. Natalie Jones, PsyD, LPCC ®
