Depression, guilt, and a general loss of self-esteem are all common psychological reactions. These symptoms suggest that she has turned her anger inward, and that she has unresolved fears. Remind her that she is in no way responsible for the assault and that nothing she did could ever justify the violence she has experienced. Encourage her to direct these negative feelings toward the assailant and away from herself. The survivor may experience phobic reactions to stimuli that remind her of the assault or her assailant.
Phobic reactions are extreme manifestations of anxiety.
For example, if the survivor was assaulted outdoors, she may be afraid to leave the house. If the assailant had alcohol on his breath, this odor may remind her of the assault and make her nauseous. She may experience a general paranoia, or panic attacks. The assault may disrupt the sexual life of the survivor because sex, which usually involves pleasure, was instead used as a weapon to humiliate, control and punish. It will probably take some time for the survivor to disassociate the sexual assault from consensual sex.