ABSTRACT
Sexual assault refers to any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Exposure to sexual violence has been linked to a number of deleterious emotional and psychological outcomes. Specifically, a number of chronic mental health conditions, such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use disorders, distressing emotional reactions, such as fear, guilt, and shame and greater engagement in health-risk behaviors, such as problematic drinking, drug use, and risky sexual behavior have been associated with a history of sexual victimization. This chapter describes the emotional and psychological consequences of sexual violence. It presents the theoretical explanations that elucidate the mechanisms contributing to negative consequences of sexual victimization. The self-medication hypothesis has garnered empirical support to explain the association between sexual assault and substance misuse. In addition to mental health problems, exposure to sexual assault has also been associated with physical health problems and increased risk for engagement in health-risk behaviors.
