Sexual violence against women, in addition to being a public health problem, can cause emotional and sexual difficulties for women of all ages, among other consequences.

WHO (World Health Organization) reports that at least one in five women has been a victim of rape, and more than half of them knew the aggressor.

Incidents of rape leave deep emotional and sexual marks on victims — Photo: Pexels/Disclosure/ND

It is important to remember that rape is not limited to forced penetration. According to article 213 of the Brazilian Criminal Code (wording of Law No. 12.015 of 2009), rape is forcing someone, through violence or a serious threat, to have sexual intercourse or to commit or allow other indecent acts to be committed with him.

That is, in addition to “carnal intercourse”, which specifically refers to penetration (vagina penis – anus penis), the demand for sexual services in exchange for something, violent kisses without consent, sexual behavior in which there is an intention to humiliate and expose the victim to violence, sexual behavior aimed at maintaining power is also considered rape.

Thus, most rapes leave not physical traces, but emotional and sexual ones.

Faced with this horrific reality, I often look for women with sexual dysfunctions and difficulties in my clinical consultations and on the Sexo sem Dúvida platform, ranging from affective numbness to intense hyperarousal.

Thus, these victims have difficulty with sexual activity or its resumption, as well as lack of desire, pain during intercourse, lack of pleasure, hypersexualization and various difficulties in relationships.

Other “non-sexual” symptoms are taken into account, such as anxieties, fears, phobias, nightmares, eating difficulties, learning difficulties, relationship problems, and trauma.

It is important to note that the dynamics of sexual abuse generate psychological trauma and can even trigger post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In an attempt to survive and re-establish new boundaries between herself and the world, a woman who has been the victim of this type of abuse may go from gaining weight, lack of self-care, becoming sexually unattractive, skin development, behavior and learning.

Overall, the number of rapes in Santa Catarina rose by 3.2% – Photo: Elsa Fiusa/Agência Brasil/Disclosure/ND

In terms of symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, there are cases where women tend to avoid all sexual situations or even get into situations in which the experience of violence is repeated.

Thus, the infamous violation of sexual satisfaction and interpersonal relationships. Issues with image, conception and respect are negatively affected, as are affective and sexual relationships. If left untreated, symptoms may persist and worsen for a long time in these women’s lives.

As a result of sexual abuse, in addition to the repression of sexual and non-sexual desires, women often experience a common emotion: shame.

There is no single formula for psychotherapeutic treatment. This will depend on the impact of the experience on each victim. The important thing is that there is a search for permission. Permission to enjoy through rethinking and re-educating sexual contact, feeling sexual and sensual.

Reconciliation with one’s own sexual pleasure through self-knowledge and self-stimulation (masturbation). It is necessary to understand that the abuser/abuser/abuser is responsible for the violence in order to release the capacity for desire, sexual and non-sexual.

I remind you that this section is intended for entertainment and information, and not for providing psychological assistance. For psychotherapeutic treatment, see a registered psychologist and build a healthy and safe sex and intimate life.