How do you know you have been sexually harassed?

We all know that in sexual relations, consent is mandatory and indisputable. This is a standard black and white rule that cannot be bent or changed, and anything else is considered a crime. Regardless of whether the act was violent or not, if there was no consensual agreement, it is a clear crime.

Now, it may be that you were in a situation where you were mentally and emotionally impaired and not clearly aware of your surroundings. Your decision-making skills were blurred and someone took advantage of you and sexually harassed you in that moment. If you were not in the right frame of mind, how do you know that this happened?

Several health publications explain the signs that indicate sexual assault.

The Joyful heart The publication states that not every rape or sexual assault leaves visible wounds, but in some cases, depending on the type of violence, “common signs include bruising, bleeding (vaginal or anal), difficulty walking, soreness, broken or dislocated bones.”

When it comes to emotional and mental signs, VVery good claims that sexual assault can lead to symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behavior, guilt, depression, and irritability. The publication states that survivors can experience severe and chronic symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including body aches, fatigue, flashbacks, headaches, insomnia, and nightmares.

“Some may experience avoidance behaviors, such as avoiding thoughts or feelings about the traumatic event (emotional avoidance); staying away from reminders of the trauma such as people, places, objects, or situations; and refusing to talk about what happened.”

Other symptoms of PTSD include intrusive memories, increased arousal, changes in thoughts and feelings, and recurring feelings of fear, guilt, shame, and hopelessness.

The Partnership for Child Protection in Brighton and Hove on the website it is added that other indicators may be:

• pregnancy
• Inappropriate knowledge about sex
• Sexualized behavior in the game or with others
• Bedwetting
• Changes in eating habits or eating disorders
• Lack of relationships with peers
• Alcohol or drug consumption
• Fear

See also: How to talk to your children about sexuality