4 Stages of Emotions and Treatment After Sexual Trauma

4 Stages of Emotions and Treatment After Sexual Trauma April 18, 2018 • Contributed by Camila Williams, PhD There may be many emotions to sort through after experiencing sexual trauma. These emotions are typically painful, so it is natural to want to avoid them. The problem is, these emotions don't tend to go away-they fester until you allow the time and space to work through them. A common cycle of emotions after surviving sexual trauma is: (1) guilt and shame, (2) blame and anger, (3) grieving/mourning, and (4) fear and anxiety. This cycle by no means captures everyone's experience after a trauma but is a general outline of common reactions. Let's consider them in more depth. I. GUILT AND SHAME There can be a lot of secrecy surrounding sexual trauma. Victims who come forward are often made to feel like they did something wrong. Some are advised to keep their experience quiet. People often blame the victim by outlining things they "should" or "should nor have done. Surviv