This document summarizes why rape is harmful. It discusses the consequences victims face, including guilt, helplessness, and later sexual problems due to unconscious connections between sexual activity and feelings of shame and guilt. Therapy can help victims address complaints that commonly arise from a history of rape or childhood sexual abuse. The author chose to discuss this topic because rape hurts women physically and emotionally, and to raise awareness about the need for men to understand how their actions impact victims and to stop sexually assaulting women and children.