Harvey Weinstein Allegations Spotlight How Sexual Assault Affects Mental Health

Social media and news outlets have been erupting with the stories of women who allege the Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed or assaulted them, as well as reports from both men and women about times they were allegedly victims of similar behavior from other people in positions of power. The alleged crimes that are being described can have serious consequences for a victim’s mental health.

Weinstein was a co-creator of film distribution company Miramax and production company The Weinstein Company. Recent reports say he has settled several cases of alleged sexual harassment in his past, including against actresses. Since that report was made public, other women have said that Weinstein was inappropriate with them. Both men and women on social media, including actor Terry Crews have shared their own stories about times authority figures took advantage of them.

Sexual assault is linked to a number of mental illnesses. The National Center for PTSD, within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, explains that post-traumatic stress disorder, which is marked by vivid flashbacks of a traumatic experience, is just one mental health condition that could develop after a sexual assault. People can also experience depression or anxiety or abuse drugs like alcohol. That’s among other side effects of an assault, such as feelings of shame, anger and guilt, social problems and sexual dysfunction.

It doesn’t have to be a vaginal rape committed by force to qualify as sexual assault. The center lists any sexual activity, such as unwanted touching and grabbing, “in which one of the people is involved against his or her will.” That can include a person who is pressured into sexual contact, such as when an authority figure like a boss or a teacher pushes the victim into one of these situations. Both men and women can be victims of this type of behavior, and sexual assault is often committed by someone who is not a stranger to the victim.

Different people have different reactions to assault, with some taking longer to react to the situation, report it or recover from it.

“In the time just after a sexual assault, many women report feeling shock, confusion, anxiety, and/or numbness,” the center says. “Sometimes women will experience feelings of denial. In other words, they may not fully accept what has happened to them or they may downplay the intensity of the experience. This reaction may be more common among women who are assaulted by someone they know.”

In cases where a sexual assault victim develops PTSD, signs of the mental illness as listed on the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health include avoiding things that are reminders of the trauma; being easily startled; trouble sleeping; outbursts of anger; and a detachment from friends and family. People with PTSD may also experience depression or anxiety disorders and may be involved in substance abuse.

Eating disorders may be linked to sexual assault cases as well, Mental Health America says.

“Sexual assault can have a variety of short- and long-term effects on a victim’s mental health,” that group explains. “Many survivors report flashbacks of their assault, and feelings of shame, isolation, shock, confusion, and guilt.”