Sexual assault is a deeply traumatic experience that can leave lasting emotional, psychological, and physical scars. Survivors may keep it a secret out of fear of being blamed, not being believed, or having to relive the pain. The weight of silence can impact their relationships, self-worth, and ability to trust, shaping every aspect of their lives. 

Personal or Private (primary); Regrets, Guilt, or Shame

ABANDONMENT, BEING A BURDEN TO OTHERS, BEING JUDGED, BEING LABELED, BEING PHYSICALLY TOUCHED, BEING PITIED, BEING SEPARATED FROM LOVED ONES, BEING UNSAFE, CERTAIN KINDS OF PEOPLE, CHANGE, CONDITIONAL LOVE, CRITICISM, HUMILIATION, ISOLATION, LOSING ONE'S SOCIAL STANDING, LOSING THE RESPECT OF OTHERS, NOT BEING BELIEVED, REJECTION, TRUSTING OTHERS

Feeling shame and guilt for something someone else did
Difficulty maintaining healthy sexual intimacy with a spouse, partner, or lover
Anguish, anxiety, or ongoing PTSD interfering with their everyday life
Having to deal with long-term consequences, such as an STD or physical injury
Unhealthy coping mechanisms creating friction with a partner, friend, or child, and potentially creating a cycle of trauma and abuse
Indulging in numbing activities or risky sexual behaviors to escape the pain 

Acting as though nothing happened, even around the perpetrator
Avoiding the perpetrator or the location of the event
Not seeking medical help in the aftermath
Terminating a resulting pregnancy before others find out
Being vague about the cause of any injuries or unusual behavior 
Lying about their whereabouts at the time of the assault
Becoming withdrawn and hermit-like
Dissociating from the memory so even they don't know exactly what happened