Understanding the Trauma of Sexual Assault: Experts Call for Empathy and Action

Researchers highlight the psychological and physical impacts of sexual violence, urging police reform and greater public awareness.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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In a powerful op-ed, Richard M. Perloff, a professor at Cleveland State University, sheds light on the devastating effects of sexual assault, including the phenomenon of tonic immobility where victims become physically paralyzed, and the alarming prevalence of nonfatal strangulation during attacks. Perloff calls for trauma-informed training for police and greater public understanding of the psychological trauma experienced by survivors, emphasizing the need for empathy and action to address this critical issue.

Why it matters

Sexual assault remains a pervasive problem in the United States, with 1 in 5 women experiencing rape or sexual assault in their lifetime. However, the public often lacks awareness of the profound psychological and physical impacts on survivors, including the involuntary freezing response known as tonic immobility and the alarming rates of nonfatal strangulation during attacks. Addressing these issues through policy changes and public education is crucial to supporting survivors and preventing future incidents.

The details

Perloff's op-ed highlights two key issues related to sexual assault that are often overlooked. First, he discusses the phenomenon of tonic immobility, where victims become physically paralyzed during an attack due to a hard-wired survival response. This can lead to inconsistent narratives from survivors, which are then wrongly interpreted as evidence of consent by some jurors. Second, Perloff cites research showing that over 16% of women in the U.S. have experienced nonfatal strangulation by an intimate partner, sometimes during a sexual assault, which can cause brain damage and even death.

  • The op-ed was published on March 4, 2026.

The players

Richard M. Perloff

A distinguished professor of communication and psychology at the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education, Cleveland State University, who has studied the psychology of sex roles and the impacts of sexual violence.

Rachel Lovell

A Ph.D. sociologist at Cleveland State University who has conducted research on untested sexual assault kits and the prevalence of nonfatal strangulation experienced by women during rapes.

Moirah Schiewe

A survivor of rape at DePaul University who experienced a catatonic state of freezing or tonic immobility during the assault.

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What they’re saying

“As a social scientist who studies the psychology of sex roles, I found these issues important. But until recently, it was abstract and impersonal. I was missing the deep psychological pain of real people, like Moirah Schiewe, who felt paralyzed – she couldn't move her muscles and couldn't raise her voice to scream – during a rape at DePaul University.”

— Richard M. Perloff, Distinguished Professor of Communication and Psychology (cleveland.com)

“Nonfatal strangulation can cause loss of consciousness and even brain damage.”

— Richard M. Perloff, Distinguished Professor of Communication and Psychology (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Perloff calls for police departments to implement better trauma-informed training programs so officers can recognize that a survivor's inability to resist does not mean consent. He also urges officers to ask more sensitive questions in cases of nonfatal strangulation to build stronger legal cases.

The takeaway

This op-ed highlights the urgent need for greater public understanding and empathy regarding the profound psychological and physical impacts of sexual assault. By addressing issues like tonic immobility and nonfatal strangulation through policy changes and public education, society can better support survivors and work to prevent future incidents of sexual violence.