Experiencing sexual assault is deeply life-altering, and every survivor’s journey looks different. After such an event, many people are surprised by the thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions that arise. Some responses may feel confusing or even frightening. Others may seem so unfamiliar that survivors question themselves or worry that something is “wrong” with them.
The truth is: these are normal human responses to trauma. Your body and mind are doing their best to protect you and help you survive. Understanding what may come up can help lessen feelings of isolation and self-blame.
Here are ten reactions that survivors of Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare assaults often report. If you recognize yourself in any of these, please know—you are not alone.
1. Feeling Numb or Detached
After an assault, some survivors describe feeling “blank,” emotionally flat, or as if they’re moving through life on autopilot. This is the mind’s way of shielding itself from overwhelming emotions until you’re ready to process them.
2. Derealisation (the World Feels Unreal)
Many survivors say that the world suddenly feels “off”, as though familiar places and faces no longer seem real. This sensation can be unsettling, but it is a well-documented trauma response that reflects how your nervous system is coping.
3. Depersonalisation (Feeling Outside of Yourself)
Another common experience is feeling disconnected from your own body, as though you are observing yourself from a distance. This detachment is the brain’s protective mechanism, designed to create space between you and the pain of the event.
4. Shame and Self-Blame
Perhaps one of the most painful reactions is shame. Survivors often replay the incident, searching for what they “should have done differently.” It’s important to remember: the responsibility always lies with the perpetrator, never the survivor. Feelings of shame are symptoms of trauma, not reflections of truth.
5. Trouble Remembering Details
You might only recall fragments, sounds, smells, or flashes of imagery, while the rest feels like a blur. Trauma affects memory storage, so fragmented recall is a normal outcome and does not mean your experience wasn’t real.
6. Hypervigilance
After an assault, the body can remain in “survival mode.” Survivors may notice themselves constantly scanning their environment for danger, jumping at small sounds, or feeling unable to relax even in safe situations. This heightened alertness is exhausting, but it is also a natural response to threat.
7. Sleep Disturbances
Sleep can be particularly disrupted. Nightmares, night sweats, or waking up in panic are common. Sometimes survivors find it hard to fall asleep at all, worried that they will be vulnerable while resting.
8. Physical Symptoms
Trauma doesn’t only affect the mind. It often shows up in the body, through headaches, stomach aches, muscle pain, or sudden changes in appetite. These physical symptoms are your body’s way of carrying the stress of what you’ve endured.
9. Difficulty Trusting People
Even close relationships may feel different. Survivors sometimes find it hard to trust friends, partners, or family members, or feel suspicious of strangers. This protective instinct is part of healing, it does not mean you’ll never feel safe again.
10. Emotional Swings
Finally, it is common to feel emotions rise and fall sharply. Anger, sadness, grief, or even moments of joy may appear unexpectedly. These swings are signs that your nervous system is adjusting after trauma, not indications that you’re “losing control.”
A Final Word: You Are Not Alone
All of these reactions can be surprising, but every one of them is a normal and valid part of the body’s healing process. If you’ve experienced a rideshare sexual assault, you may feel isolated, but countless survivors have walked this path before you and support exists for you as well.
Beyond emotional and psychological support, you also have the right to seek justice. Advocacy organizations such as Helping Survivors provide valuable resources, while compassionate attorneys can stand beside you to explain your legal options and hold rideshare companies accountable. And if your trauma requires deeper processing, evidence-based EMDR therapy can be an effective way to reduce symptoms, restore a sense of safety, and help you piece life back together. As a trauma specialist, I am here to support you through that journey, walking alongside you as you heal.
You deserve to be heard, to be safe, and to receive the care you need, both emotionally and legally.
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