Which symptom may indicate a person has been assaulted?

In cases of assault, the inability to remember the event, also known as dissociative amnesia, can be a significant symptom. This response may occur as a psychological defense mechanism in response to trauma. When a person experiences a traumatic event, such as an assault, their mind may block out the memory of the event to protect them from the immediate emotional pain associated with that experience.

This symptom is not just a sign of trauma but can also be indicative of the extreme stress and fear that often accompany such incidents. Professionals in emergency medical services must recognize this symptom, as it can help guide assessment and intervention strategies while ensuring the individual's emotional and psychological well-being is taken into account.