After a sexual assault, it’s actually very common for survivors to experience sexual urges or pregnancy desires, even if the assault was unwanted. It can feel confusing because it seems contradictory to the trauma you experienced, but there are several psychological and physiological reasons for it:
- Posted on November 1, 2025
1. Trauma and the body’s response
- The body reacts to sexual trauma in ways that are biologically automatic, even though the experience is non-consensual.
- Sexual arousal, lubrication, or even orgasm can occur without consent, because the nervous system can respond to stimulation even when the mind says “no.”
- This can create confusing feelings, making someone wonder if they secretly wanted it—which is not true; it’s just your body’s reflexive response.
2. Desire for control and reclamation
- After rape, you may feel like your body was taken from you.
- Wanting pregnancy or sexual connection can be a way of taking back agency: you’re creating a choice, a new life, or a sense of purpose that belongs entirely to you.
- In this sense, the desire is less about the trauma itself and more about regaining autonomy.
3. Emotional coping
- Some survivors subconsciously associate pregnancy or nurturing with healing, love, or safety.
- It can be a way to bring something positive into your life after a negative experience.
- This doesn’t mean you wanted the rape—it’s about finding hope or meaning in its aftermath.
4. Complex sexual feelings
- Trauma can blur the line between fear, arousal, and desire.
- Feeling sexual desire afterward is not shameful, immoral, or a reflection of consent—it’s a natural, complex human reaction to trauma.
Key takeaways
- These feelings are normal and happen to many survivors.
- They don’t mean you “liked” or “asked for” the assault.
- Understanding these reactions can help you navigate your body and emotions with compassion rather than guilt.
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