CRISIS INTERVENTION WITH VICTIMS OF RAPE (FROM FORCIBLE RAPE - THE CRIME, THE VICTIM, AND THE OFFENDER, 1977 BY DUNCAN CHAPPELL, ROBLEY GEIS, AND GILBERT GEIS - SEE NCJ-43432)

• NCJ Number: 43443
• Author(s): S SUTHERLAND; D J SCHERL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 10 pages
• Corporate Author: Columbia University Press
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SPECIFIC SKILLS THAT MAY BE USED BY MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS TO HELP VICTIMS OF RAPE ARE DESCRIBED. THREE PHASES OF RESPONSE TYPICAL OF RAPE VICTIMS ARE OUTLINED.

Abstract

DURING 1966 AND 1967, THE AUTHORS SAW 13 YOUNG, UNMARRIED, ADULT RAPE VICTIMS IN A SETTING SIMILAR TO THAT IN WHICH A CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM MIGHT BE LOCATED. FROM OBSERVATION AND TREATMENT, A PREDICTABLE PATTERN OF RESPONSES COMMON TO THESE PATIENTS WAS DISCERNED: (1) ACUTE REACTION, OCCURRING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE RAPE, AND USUALLY LASTING SEVERAL DAYS; (2) OUTWARD ADJUSTMENT; AND (3) INTEGRATION AND RESOLUTION OF THE EXPERIENCE. PHASE 1 INVOLVES THE CRUCIAL ISSUES OF MEDICAL ATTENTION, LEGAL SERVICES AND POLICE CONTACTS, NOTIFICATION OF FAMILY OR FRIENDS, CLARIFICATION OF FACTUAL INFORMATION, EMOTIONAL RESPONSES, AND PSYCHIATRIC CONSULTATION. A SERIES OF MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTIONS WAS THEN DESIGNED TO HELP THE PATIENTS WORK THROUH EACH PHASE AS SMOOTHLY AND COMPLETELY AS POSSIBLE; IT IS STRESSED, HOWEVER, THAT EACH VICTIM MUST BE DEALT WITH ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS.