A physical assault can lead to serious consequences for the victim, including physical and even psychological damage. Such aggression should not be taken lightly and filing a complaint for assault and injury is essential. Moreover, you should know that simple harassment can quickly turn into aggression and physical violence…
It is difficult to get on with your life after an experience like this, whether you are a child or an adult, especially since your aggressor could avoid the sanctions provided for by the penal code. Between guilt and post-traumatic stress, how to deal with this situation? What are the consequences of a physical aggression? This is what we’re going to see right now.
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What happens after the assault?
Although the consequences of a physical assault are specific to each individual, the traumas are quite often the same. In addition to intentional violence that has serious repercussions on physical health, it also causes psychological disorders.
Unusual severe and/or chronic stress
Those who have already been victims of violence (verbal or sexual insults, homophobia…) know that the first reaction, which is quite natural, is a severe stress, which is generally expressed by:
- screams, cries and/or moans
- a need to run away,
- an emotional shock,
- an incapacity to speak,
- an incapacity to move.
If the physical assaults are repetitive, very violent or if severe stress lasts too long and is not “relieved”, all this, mixed with a feeling of insecurity, favors chronic stress, anxiety attacks and an inner discomfort.
Post-traumatic stress
After a major psychological shock, especially after a sexual assault such as a rape, chronic stress can appear and evolve over several weeks or even months after the assault: this is what we call post-traumatic stress.
The victims keep re-experiencing the event again and again, and adopt unusual behaviors, especially to avoid situations that could remind them of the assault.
The consequences are much more serious than a simple shock, because they appear through disorders:
- Psychological disorders: anxiety, depression, drug treatment, isolation, sense of being abnormal, negative attitude and sometimes even suicide attempts.
- Somatic disorders: not being able to sleep, digestive and neurological disorders.
- Behavioral disorders: compensation through excessive work, impulsivity, concentration troubles, loss of interest and lack of motivation…
One should know that post-traumatic stress can very well be triggered up until several months or even several years after the trauma. Therefore, psychological support can be an indispensable help for the victims. The idea is to limit, reduce or eliminate this post-aggression phenomenon.
How to “live a normal life” after an aggression?
First, go to the police station and report the attackers to the police so that they can be sentenced. They can be sentenced to ten years in prison for the offenses they committed. Secondly, there is no need to try to get rid of the memory of the assault at all costs. On the contrary, you must learn to live with it and start your “new life”.
First step: talk bout it!
This may seem obvious, but in reality it is not at all. Each victim reacts differently and most never dare to talk about it, to anyone. They avoid the subject and avoid the problem. This is not the best solution. If you feel the need to do so, don’t hesitate to tell, in detail, what happened: the feelings and emotions you are experiencing at that moment. If you wish, you can explain the physical and psychological sensations you felt.
But do not talk to just anyone. For instance, someone you talk to all the time may tell you that you need to move on. However, you’re not ready to move on, you need to keep talking about it, and visiting a therapist may be the best option.
Second step: learn how to defend yourself!
Meanwhile, if you want to surpass yourself, it helps you regain control over your life, prepare yourself to anticipate violent behavior. The objective is to learn the right moves to defend yourself in case of physical aggression.
Not only will you succeed in surpassing yourself mentally, but you will regain your self-confidence!
This is very important because recovering from violence proves that you are a strong person. You must finally get over your fears…
What’s the point of practicing self defense?
Whether or not you have ever been the victim of an assault, humans are conditioned to feel fear. If the idea of being completely unable to cope with physical violence scares you, perhaps you should learn some self defense techniques. But don’t try to fight back, because attacking is clearly not the best way to deal with violence.
Self defense, unlike martial arts, is mostly recommended to teach you how to defend yourself and get out of a difficult situation. This is valid in all cases, for women victims of domestic violence as well as for men who are attacked in the street.
If you are interested in self defense and would like to learn more about it, please visit this website!
You will find many resources that will help you along the way, as well as many training sessions adapted to different needs!
