When Traumas Collide: Implications and Coping Strategies of Israeli Survivors at the Intersection of Collective War Trauma and Past Sexual Violence

War as a collective trauma can severely harm the psychosocial well-being of individuals, disrupting their sense of safety, autonomy, and meaning of life. War also weakens individual and communal senses of safety and stability, erodes social cohesion, and forces large-scale displacement, as civilians seek security elsewhere. Research indicates that individuals with prior exposure to traumatic events may be more susceptible to experiencing distress when confronted by additional stressors, especially in times of continuous traumatic stress, such as war. This study examines the impact of the October 7 War on survivors of past sexual violence (SV) in Israel, with a particular focus on the intersection of past SV and the collective trauma of war. We conducted an online qualitative study using reflexive thematic analysis, supplemented by descriptive quantitative summaries based on the responses of 126 survivors to an online qualitative survey, to explore the impact of war on their mental and physical well-being and coping mechanisms. Participants described “re-living the trauma,” and reported marked deterioration in their perceived mental and physical states, including heightened post-traumatic symptoms and disruptions in aspects such as sleep, eating, and interpersonal relationships. Participants identified emotional and structural factors they perceived as exacerbating these conditions (e.g., Relegation to the bottom of social priorities), along with accounts of coping strategies and protective resources described by some participants, and recommendations for the healthcare system during wartime. These exploratory, context-specific findings suggest that individuals with a history of SV may experience particular vulnerabilities during periods of collective trauma, particularly during war, and emphasize the need to adapt frontline SV services to address health crises effectively.