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An Online Resource Library on Domestic & Sexual Violence

One-Page Handouts: Sexual Assault and the Brain

General Material
Published Date
January, 2020
New Resources Added
July 28, 2026
Author(s)

The handouts summarize key concepts related to sexual assault and the brain, including common reflex and habit behaviors, how trauma-related responses may unfold over time, and how dissociation can overlap with freezing, habit behaviors, and extreme survival responses. By presenting complex neuroscience concepts in an accessible format, the materials help professionals avoid common misconceptions, better interpret survivor behavior, and apply trauma-informed practices during investigations, legal proceedings, and victim advocacy.