Consequences of sexual violence in adulthood

Sexual violence experienced in adulthood has many and varied consequences. Some may be immediate and direct, while others may appear or persist over the medium or long term1,2.

Consequences for mental health

  • Anxiety1–6
  • Depression1,3,5,6,10,11
  • Eating disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia2
  • Emotional distress and anger2,4
  • Feelings of shame and guilt1,14
  • Less satisfaction with life11
  • Perception of poor mental health and more negative self-perception (e.g., dissatisfaction with body image, low self-esteem)2,5,14–17
  • Post-traumatic stress (e.g., dissociation, flashbacks, avoidance of risky situations, intrusive thoughts, nightmares, hypervigilance, irritability)1–3,6,10,11,14,18
  • Suicidal ideation and behaviour1,2,6,11–13
  • Use of psychoactive substances, including abuse of or dependence on these substances (e.g., alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, other drugs)2,5,7–10

Consequences for physical health

  • Heart disease and hypertension19,20
  • Limitations in daily activities15–17
  • More frequent use of healthcare services (emergency room visits, consultation with a mental health professional, use of psychotherapeutic medication)6,13
  • Perception of poor physical health13,15,16
  • Sleep problems15–17
  • Somatic and chronic health problems (e.g., chronic pain, migraines or headaches, fatigue, back pain, lower abdominal pain, gastrointestinal problems, asthma)1,2,4,15–17,21

Consequences for sexual health

  • Altered knowledge, perceptions and beliefs about sexuality (e.g., judgmental attitudes towards sexuality, disgust towards sexuality)14
  • Gynecological, reproductive, and obstetrical complications (e.g., infertility, miscarriage, urinary tract infection and leakage, rectal and vaginal bleeding)1,14
  • Risky sexual behaviours (e.g., multiple and occasional sexual partners, irregular condom use, alcohol consumption prior to sexual activity)2,8
  • Sexual dysfunctions and difficulties (e.g., sexual dissatisfaction, decreased sexual desire or pleasure, sexual aversion, avoidance of intercourse, pelvic pain, abnormal menstrual bleeding)2,6,8,14,22
  • Sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections1,15,18
  • Unplanned or unwanted pregnancies resulting from sexual violence1

Social and relational consequences

  • Absenteeism and difficulties in post-secondary studies (e.g., poorer academic performance, distress, disengagement)2
  • Job dissatisfaction and difficulties (e.g., reduced productivity, commitment, and attendance)2
  • Relationship and family difficulties (e.g., relationship instability and dissatisfaction, poorer communication, attachment difficulties, disruption of family life)
  • Social isolation and social dysfunction (e.g., withdrawal from social activities, affiliation with delinquent peers, difficulty trusting, distrust of others)2

The consequences listed above are presented in alphabetical order, regardless of frequency or severity.

References

  1. Barker, L. C., D. E. Stewart et S. N. Vigod (2019). « Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: An Often Overlooked Problem », Journal of Women’s Health, vol. 28, n° 3, p. 363‑374.
  2. Stockman, D., L. Haney, K. Uzieblo, H. Littleton, I. Keygnaert, G. Lemmens et L. Verhofstadt (2023). « An ecological approach to understanding the impact of sexual violence: a systematic meta-review », Frontiers in psychology, vol. 14, p. 1032408.
  3. Vallieres, F., B. Gilmore, A. Nolan, P. Maguire, K. Bondjers, O. McBride, J. Murphy, M. Shevlin, T. Karatzias et P. Hyland (2022). « Sexual violence and its associated psychosocial effects in Ireland », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 37, n° 11‑12, p. NP9066‑NP9088.
  4. Jacobsen, S. A., L. Frostholm, C. B. Buhmann, M. W. Petersen, E. Ornbol, T. M. Dantoft, A. A. Bjerregaard, L. F. Eplov et T. B. W. Carstensen (2023). « Are Sexual Assaults Related to Functional Somatic Disorders? A Cross-Sectional Study », International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, n° 20.
  5. Brunton, R., et R. Dryer (2022). « Sexual violence and Australian women: A longitudinal analysis of psychosocial and behavioral outcomes », Social science & medicine, vol. 292, p. 114334.
  6. Serrano-Rodriguez, E., V. Luque-Ribelles et V. Hervias-Parejo (2025). « Psychosocial Consequences of Sexual Assault on Women: A Scoping Review », Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 54, p. 231‑258.
  7. Blackburn, A. M., J. B. Bystrynski, A. Rieger, R. C. Garthe, M. Piasecki et N. E. Allen (2023). « Sexual assault revictimization among sexual minority individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis », Psychology of Violence, vol. 13, n° 4, p. 286‑296.
  8. Fava, D., D. Zweben et L. Gust (2024). « Romantic Functioning in the Aftermath of Adult Sexual Assault: A Scoping Review », Trauma, violence & abuse, p. 15248380241291078.
  9. Jaffe, A. E., J. A. Blayney, S. Graupensperger, R. Cooper et M. E. Larimer (2022). « Prepartying and incapacitated rape: Is drinking a risk factor or an outcome? », Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, vol. 46, n° 3, p. 447‑457.
  10. Salim, S. R., A. McConnell et T. Messman (2023). « Sexual victimization outcomes and adjustment among bisexual women: A review of the quantitative literature », Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, vol. 24, n° 3, p. 1503‑1521.
  11. Klein, L., H. C. Dawes, G. James, W. J. Hall, C. F. Rizo, S. J. Potter, S. L. Martin et R. J. Macy (2023). « Sexual and relationship violence among LGBTQ+ college students: A scoping review », Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, vol. 24, n° 4, p. 2196‑2209.
  12. Nicholas, A., K. Krysinska et K. E. King (2022). « A rapid review to determine the suicide risk and risk factors of men who are survivors of sexual assault », Psychiatry Research, vol. 317, p. 1‑9.
  13. García-Pérez, S., G. Pastor-Moreno, I. Ruiz-Pérez et J. Henares-Montiel (2023). « Relationship between Sexual Violence and the Health of Spanish Women - A National Population-Based Study », International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, vol. 20, n° 4, p. 3365.
  14. Denis, I., M. Brennstuhl et C. Tarquinio (2020). « The consequences of sexual trauma on the sexuality of victims: A systematic review of the literature », Sexologies: European Journal of Sexology and Sexual Health / Revue européenne de sexologie et de santé sexuelle, vol. 29, n° 4, p. 198‑217.
  15. Basile, K. C., S. G. Smith, J. Chen et M. Zwald (2021). « Chronic diseases, health conditions, and other impacts associated with rape victimization of U.S. Women », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 36, n° 23‑24, p. NP12504‑NP12520.
  16. Gilbert, L. K., X. Zhang, K. C. Basile, M. Breiding et M. J. Kresnow (2023). « Intimate Partner Violence and Health Conditions Among U.S. Adults-National Intimate Partner Violence Survey, 2010-2012 », Journal of interpersonal violence, vol. 38, n° 1‑2, p. NP237‑NP261.
  17. Smith, S. G., J. Chen, A. N. Lowe et K. C. Basile (2022). « Sexual violence victimization of U.S. Males: Negative health conditions associated with rape and being made to penetrate », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 37, n° 21‑22, p. NP20953‑NP20971.
  18. Mokhwelepa, L. W., M. W. Ngwenya et G. O. Sumbane (2024). « Systematic Review on Public Health Problems and Barriers for Sex Workers », The Open Public Health Journal, vol. 17, n° 1, p. e18749445264436.
  19. Jakubowski, K. P., V. Murray, N. Stokes et R. C. Thurston (2021). « Sexual violence and cardiovascular disease risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis », Maturitas, vol. 153, p. 48‑60.
  20. Lawn, R. B., K. M. Nishimi, J. A. Sumner, L. B. Chibnik, A. L. Roberts, L. D. Kubzansky, J. W. Rich-Edwards, K. C. Koenen et R. C. Thurston (2022). « Sexual Violence and Risk of Hypertension in Women in the Nurses’ Health Study II: A 7-Year Prospective Analysis », Journal of the American Heart Association, vol. 11, n° 5, p. e023015.
  21. Vanwoerden, S., J. Leavitt, M. W. Gallagher, J. R. Temple et C. Sharp (2019). « Dating violence victimization and borderline personality pathology: Temporal associations from late adolescence to early adulthood », Personality Disorders, vol. 10, n° 2, p. 132‑142.
  22. Hassam, T., E. Kelso, P. Chowdary, E. Yisma, B. W. Mol et A. Han (2020). « Sexual assault as a risk factor for gynaecological morbidity: An exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis », European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, vol. 255, p. 222‑230.
  23. Vitek, K. N., et E. A. Yeater (2021). « The Association Between a History of Sexual Violence and Romantic Relationship Functioning: A Systematic Review », Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, vol. 22, n° 5, p. 1221‑1232.
  24. Barsalou-Verge, X., M. M. Gagnon, R. Séguin et C. Dagenais (2015). « Current Knowledge on Child Sexual Abuse in Indigenous Populations of Canada and the United States: A Literature Review », American Indian Culture & Research Journal, vol. 39, n° 3, p. 65‑82.

Authors: Maude Lachapelle, Scientific Advisor, and Claudia Savard, Specialized Scientific Advisor, INSPQ

External review: Roxanne Guyon, Sexologist and Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Université Laval | Malorie Comtois, Social Worker and Clinical Specialist in sexual violence at Juripop

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