[Social support and psychological consequences of sexual assault: a literature review].

Sexual assault results in important consequences for victims. An inadequate social support may have an impact on the victim's psychological condition and interfere with her adjustment. The purpose of the present article is to describe different support reactions linked to sexual assault and their impact on the psychological condition of the victims, the posttraumatic symptoms and the recovery. The specific contribution of the spouse living with the victim is exposed. The impact of the consequences resulting from the sexual assault on the quality of the support is also presented. Finally, clinical implications and research approach are proposed.