NCJ Number
49612
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE CANDID IMPRESSIONS OF SEVERAL RAPE VICTIMS ARE PRESENTED IN THIS AUDIOCASSETTE DEALING WITH THE RAPE EXPERIENCE, POSTRAPE TRUAUMA, INSTITUTIONAL INDIFFERENCE, AND DIFFICULTIES IN RECOVERING A SENSE OF NORMALCY.
Abstract
DURING THE ATTACK, THE VICTIMS FEARED THAT THEY WOULD BE MURDERED. THUS, THEY WERE SOMEWHAT RELIEVED WHEN THEY REALIZED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO SERVIVE THE ATTACK. GENERALLY, DEPRESSION OR A SENSE OF DEGRADATION WAS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE IMMEDIATE POSTRAPE EXPERIENCE. THE VICTIMS ENCOUNTERED INDIFFERENCE AT HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS FROM ATTENDANTS AND EXAMINING PHYSICIANS. THIS, COUPLED WITH THE KNOWLDGE THAT A RAPIST WILL PROBABLY ONLY SERVE 2 YEARS OF A 10-YEAR SENTENCE IF APPREHENDED AT ALL, PERHAPS ACCOUNTS FOR WHY SO MANY RAPES GO UNREPORTED. THE RAPE VICTIM OFTEN FEELS THAT SHE IS EXPECTED TO BEAR A PORTION OF THE GUILT, BUT WHAT SHE GENUINELY NEEDS IS MORE UNDERSTANDING. ALL THE WOMEN INTERVIEWED STRESSED THAT, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE RECOVERED FROM THEIR ORDEAL, IT REQUIRED A DIFFICULT AND LENGTHY HEALING PROCESS. ONE OF THE WOMEN, WHO PUBLISHED A DIARY SHE KEPT OF HER POSTRAPE FEELINGS, NOW LECTURES ON THE PROBLEMS FACING RAPE VICTIMS. (BAC)