Surveys suggest that a large proportion of women have experienced sexual assaults that they initially labelled as misunderstandings. This phenomenon, known as unacknowledged rape, has serious psychological repercussions and increases the likelihood of re-victimisation.
One survivor, who chose to remain anonymous, described how it took a decade to recognise that what happened to her at university was sexual assault. She said she blamed herself and referred to the incident as 'bad sex' or a 'grey-area experience' until a therapist told her it was trauma, which gave her permission to acknowledge the assault.
Research indicates that between 30% and 88% of all sexual assaults go unacknowledged by survivors. A 2016 analysis of 28 studies involving nearly 6,000 women and girls found that 60% did not label their experience as rape, instead using terms like 'bad sex' or 'miscommunication'.
Jodie (not her real name) shared that she knew deep down she had been assaulted but was afraid to admit it for years because it didn't fit the typical portrayal of rape. She said not acknowledging it was a coping mechanism, but it prevented her from accepting what happened and forgiving herself. After five years, she now says fully naming it has helped her take back power.
