As a survivor of a rape or sexual assault, there are many feelings and questions that will go through your mind. There are no right or wrong ways to feel or questions to ask. The Rape Crisis Center staff and volunteers are always here to talk and help you through the many questions you may have. Please call our 24 hour Hotline anytime – 702-366-1640. Keep in mind, however, that The Rape Crisis Center does not take the place of one on one therapy or counseling. We encourage all who have experienced a rape or sexual assault to seek out a trained and licensed therapist to help you to heal.

The following are some common questions many survivors ask during the healing process:

"I'm frightened all the time."

This feeling is completely normal. You might be worried not only about your safety, but also that you may be pregnant, or have a sexually transmitted disease or HIV infection. Taking control of your life again is essential, but you may not know how to do it. Counseling and regular medical follow up can help to keep you in control of physical concerns.

"I suddenly get angry."

You could find yourself getting angry because of the events that happened to you. People could be treating you differently, which could be very frustrating. Or, you may just want to get revenge and hurt your attacker as badly as he/she hurt you. You need to keep in mind that no matter why you're angry, the rape was not your fault. Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim, no matter what the situation. There is no need to feel responsible for the attack or to hold others responsible in similar situations. You are not to blame, the person who did this to you is the one to blame.

"I feel so out of control!"

The first thing to remember is that you are in control of your life and any decisions to be made about the assault are yours. It's normal to feel insecure in new situations, strange places, or around new people after an assault. Those feelings don't make you weak or crazy. If you should be feeling weak or nervous, just remember you have many resources and support available and many people are nearby who care about you and want to help you heal. The Rape Crisis Center can help you with decisions and setting goals for your future. Please call – 702-366-1640

"I'm so ashamed. What will others think?"

Because there are so many stereotypes floating around about rape and sexual assault, you may be hesitant to talk about your feelings with people close to you for fear of rejection or condemnation. A good idea is to join The Rape Crisis Center’s support group. There are several offered and they meet at different times during the week and month. Please call for more information – 702-366-1640. A support group is not counseling and is facilitated by a staff member of The Rape Crisis Center. The group is made up of people who have been through a sexual assault and truly understand what it takes to become and be a survivor.

"I'm tired. I'm depressed. I can't sleep. Nothing matters."

Apathy and depression are common after an assault. It can be hard to get out of bed in the morning, or even to get out of bed at all. You may feel that you don't have the energy to do anything. Even a simple thing like taking a shower can seem overwhelming. These are classic symptoms of depression.

After the attack, you may want to just "opt out" of being yourself, living your old life. This is denial, and it can be very dangerous. It's important for you to seek counseling in this situation, or at least to talk about it to someone close to you. You must remember that, even though you feel powerless, you have choices.

The Rape Crisis Center can provide a list of local counselors for you and can help finding one that will work with any budget. Please call – 702-366-1640

"How long will I feel this way?"

Unfortunately, no one can answer that question for you. Because healing processes vary from person to person in sexual assault recovery, there is no set answer. The good news is that you CAN recover; in fact, reading this book and talking to people is a big step in starting the healing process. You also can seek counseling, or join an educational or activist group to channel your emotions positively.

If you would like to e-mail the Staff at The Rape Crisis Center – please e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it