Rapists use sexual violence as a weapon to control, humiliate and hurt their victims. Anyone can become a victim, because victims are selected for their vulnerability and not their attractiveness, appearance or behavior. Sexual assault of any type is never the victim's fault. As a loved one you suffer too. Sexual assault creates a crisis for loved ones as well as for victims.
Recovery can take a long time and depends on many factors.
Those closest to the victim can influence how successful recovery will be. The Victim's Reaction Sexual assault is always traumatic and those who survive often have severe stress reactions similar to those of people who have survived other life-threatening events, such as war or natural disaster. In the hours and days immediately following the assault, shock and denial are common reactions. It's hard to believe the assault really happened and difficult to understand why. The victim may feel strong emotions and appear visibly disturbed, crying, shaking or even fainting.