ABSTRACT
Sexual assault often has significant deleterious consequences for how people see themselves and how they are perceived by others. The purpose of this study was to explore how people make sense of their (social) identity following sexual assault. We sought to represent diverse experiences of sexual assault and broaden contemporary narratives. We interviewed 25 adults who had experienced sexual violence on their experiences of identity and subsequent mental health. Reflexive thematic analysis identified four overarching themes: (1) Trauma identities as resources for self-protection and self-preservation; (2) Ongoing social isolation: Narrowing of identities; (3) Lack of coherence across dimensions of identity; (4) The power of (re)connection: Reshaping and expanding identities. Findings suggest that how people relate to their identity in the aftermath of sexual violence is functional and agentic. However, the contemporary narratives surrounding sexual assault (including ongoing stigma) can isolate people from valued supports and prevent authentic enactment of identity. Positive social connections are fundamental to preventing against distress and building a holistic sense of self in the aftermath of trauma.