Sexual assault is sexual behavior that is forced on someone against their will. It can cause physical and emotional harm. Recovery takes time and is different for each person. After the assault, your teen may be sad, angry, upset, jumpy, worried, moody, or irritable, and may not want to interact with family or friends. They may want to talk about the event a lot, a little, or not at all. They may have changes in sleeping and eating habits. They also might have belly pain, a headache, or other physical complaints. 

You are an important part of your teen's recovery and can help them by creating a safe, supportive, calm environment.

Follow your health care provider's instructions for:

• Giving your teen any medicines.
• Helping your teen with any pain or discomfort caused by the assault. 
• Taking your teen to a mental health provider (such as a counselor or psychologist) trained to help people heal from sexual assault.
• Following up on any medical testing, if needed.

Support your teen:

• Assure your teen that the sexual assault was not their fault. There is never an excuse or a situation that gives a person the right to force sexual behavior on someone else.
• Help your teen set up visits with a mental health provider trained to help people heal from sexual assault. Assure your teen that the provider can help them get through the challenges ahead.
• Talk to your teen and ask them how you can help them feel safe. They may not want to stay home alone at first. Or they may want to walk into school with a friend. 
• Check in regularly in the weeks after the assault to see how your teen is feeling. You can just ask, "How do you feel today?" It's important to show that you still care about how they're doing. If they don't want to talk, that's OK. Let them know that you're there to talk or support them in any way that will help.
• As much as possible, help your teen keep their routines of going to school and doing sports and activities.
• Encourage your teen to take good care of themselves by getting enough sleep, being physically active, eating healthy foods, and avoiding using alcohol or drugs to cope. 
• Help your teen relax. This is different for everyone. They may want to hang out with friends, play a game with family, or try meditation or yoga.
• Be patient as your teen recovers. They may feel discouraged or think they will never feel OK again. Remind them that it's OK to take their time and that you will support them along the way. 
• If your teen is interested in other resources, these may help:
  • The National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or go online at rainn.org.
  • Love Is Respect: Online at loveisrespect.org (for help with abuse in a relationship).
  • The Trevor Project: Call 866-488-7386, text START to 678678, or go online at thetrevorproject.org (for the LGBTQ community).
  • Local support programs in your area. Ask your health care provider for resources or check online at rainn.org/state-resources.
• If your teen is working with the criminal justice system, you can get extra support through a lawyer or other resources available at the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or go online at rainn.org.

Take care of yourself:

• You may feel angry, guilty, sad, shocked, and stressed. Practice self-care so you can be a calming presence for your teen. This includes getting enough sleep, being physically active, and eating healthy foods. Avoid using alcohol or drugs to cope. 
• Reach out for help managing your feelings. You can see a mental health provider or get help at the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or go online at rainn.org.

Your teen:

• won't come out of their room, get out of bed, or engage with anyone
• is doing worse in school
• is still very sad, upset, jumpy, worried, or reliving the sexual assault a few weeks to a month after the assault
• seems to be getting worse

You are worried that your teen may try to commit suicide (end their life) or they have talked about a specific plan for suicide.

You or your teen also can call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

What are the types of sexual assault? Sexual assault includes rape (forcing a penis, fingers, or another object into the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person against their will), unwanted touching, forcing someone to watch or do sex acts, and anything that forces someone into a sexual behavior against their will. A person can be sexually assaulted by a stranger or someone they know.

What long-term emotional problems can happen to teens after a sexual assault? It's common for someone to have feelings of sadness, anxiety, stress, or fear after a sexual assault. Usually, these feelings get better over time. But some people continue to have strong emotional experiences that interfere with their everyday life (for example, they may have trouble going to school or not want to be with family or friends). They may have:

• Flashbacks: remembering the sexual assault and feeling like it's happening in the current moment
• Depression: feelings of sadness and hopelessness that last a long time
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): very strong feelings of anxiety, stress, or fear

People who have these problems can heal, but they need professional help. Talk to your health care provider right away if you're worried that your teen isn't coping, is having flashbacks, or is showing signs of depression or PTSD that aren't getting better.