Confidential RSVP counselors are available 24/7

24/7 Emergency Support

If you need immediate medical care or are in danger, please call:

  • On Campus:  314-935-5555
  • Off-Campus:  911

In the moment emotional support, please contact:

  • SARAH Peer Counseling during the academic year: 314-935-8080

There are many emotional responses to traumatic events, all of which are normal and appropriate. Some survivors experience resolution fairly quickly after a traumatic event. However, many survivors experience trauma-related problems and feelings for a significant amount of time after a sexual assault.

Some survivors may experience acute stress disorder (ASD), or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both can be marked by feelings of fear and helplessness, avoidance of traumatic memories, and intrusive memories of the event after it has occurred. Others experience what is referred to as rape trauma syndrome, a type of PTSD, which conceptualizes trauma recovery in a series of stages, each with its own symptoms, coping mechanisms and needs.

While this description may help you understand what you are going through, it is important to remember that every survivors’ experience is different, and whatever you are experiencing is valid and normal.

PTSD in rape survivors

Recent studies have shown that about one-third 95% of all rape survivors will experience symptoms of ADS or rape-related PTSD two weeks following sexual trauma.

This is not a rare or unusual occurrence; in fact, many people experience it as a result of a traumatic experience such as rape or sexual assault
Other survivors of sexual assault may experience Acute Stress Disorder or ASD

ASD has many similar symptoms of PTSD, but resolves within four weeks, when the survivor’s life begins to return to normal

Symptoms of PTSD

You may be experiencing ADS or PTSD if, following an event where you experience or were confronted with actual or threatened injury or a threat to your physical integrity,  you  experience some of the following symptoms:

Feelings of intense horror, helplessness or fear, even after the event had passed
Distressing, intrusive memories of the event (e.g., flashbacks, including nightmares), often without provocation or obvious trigger
Regularly avoiding things or triggers that remind you of the event (e.g., people, places, things, etc.)
Significant impairment or distress due to the event, increased arousal (e.g., sleep difficulties, difficulty concentrating, hyper-vigilance, and exaggerated startle response, or irritability or outbursts of anger/rage)
Experienced these symptoms for at least a month (PTSD only)

PTSD support

Many people with ADS or PTSD have found that speaking with a trained counselor or therapist has helped to alleviate their symptoms. If you believe you might have ADS or PTSD, please consider making an appointment with the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) Center:

Call 314-935-3445 M-F 8:30 am to 5:00 pm for an appointment
Or email rsvpcenter@washu.edu to request an appointment.
All services are free of charge