CONTENTS

About This Course

Table of Contents

1. Getting The Basics
2. Substance Abuse
3. Violence Against Women
4. Violent Men
5. Alcohol and Violence
6. Alcohol, Drugs and Sexual Assault (Date Rape)
7. Preventing Sexual Assault
8. After a Rape or Sexual Assault
9. Assistance - Women
10. Assistance - Men
11. Legal Options

Supplements
Resources
Glossary
Fact Sheets

It Won't Happen to Me:
Substance Abuse-Related Violence Against Women for Anyone Concerned About The Issues

The Aftermath of Rape

Survivors of sexual assault often undergo "traumatic stress," a combination of mental, physical, and emotional responses. These include fear, anger, pain, shock, and the shutdown of many physical systems. Some of the effects include:

• Headaches all the time
• Sleepiness or trouble sleeping
• Nausea
• Nightmares
• Decreased appetite
• Eating disorders
• Menstrual pain
• Suicide attempts

Sexual assault more than doubles the chances of substance abuse after the attack.⁵ Rape victims' trust and sense of personal safety have been destroyed. They may have also lost the privacy of their bodies. Today they also must face not only the possibility of pregnancy, but also the fear that they could be infected with HIV.