NCJ Number
45877
Journal
Social Casework Volume: 57 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1976) Pages: 245-253
Date Published
1976
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE LEGAL, MEDICAL, AND EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF THE RAPE VICTIM ARE DISCUSSED. TO MEET THESE DIVERSE NEEDS, AN INTERAGENCY NETWORK CAPABLE OF OFFERING A VARIETY OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WILL BE NEEDED.
Abstract
THE INCIDENCE OF RAPE HAS BEEN STEADILY INCREASING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. IF THE TREND IN RAPE VICTIMIZATION AS OF 1972 CONTINUES, THIS WILL MEAN THAT 1 OUT OF EVERY 2.8 WOMEN IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CALIFORNIA WILL BE RAPED AT LEAST ONCE IN HER LIFE. BY EXAMINING THE LEGAL DEFINITION AND ATTITUDES TOWARD RAPE, THE SERVICE PROVIDER CAN BETTER ASSESS THE RAPE VICTIM'S NEEDS. UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW, FOR A CRIME TO BE CONSIDERED RAPE, VAGINAL PENETRATION MUST HAVE OCCURRED, THE VICTIM MUST BE FEMALE AND NOT THE WIFE OF THE ACCUSED, AND THERE MUST BE PROOF OF THE VICTIM'S LACK OF PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ACT OR LACK OF CONSENT. PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS RAPE HAVE HELPED PERPETUATE A NUMBER OF MYTHS ABOUT RAPE: THAT THE VICTIM IN SOME WAY ENCOURAGES THE RAPIST, THAT SHE ENJOYS THE ACT AND BRINGS CHARGES PRIMARILY TO ASSUAGE HER OWN GUILT, AND THAT THE RAPIST IS A SEX-STARVED PSYCHOPATH. RAPE IS, IN FACT A VIOLENT, HOSTILE, HUMILIATING, AND FORCIBLE SUBJUGATION OF THE VICTIM. THE RAPIST USUALLY SCORES WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS, HAS OTHER SEXUAL OUTLETS, AND PLANS THE ACT IN ADVANCE. THE VICTIM MAY BE ANY WOMAN REGARDLESS OF AGE OR ATTRACTIVENESS. PUBLIC ATTITUDES AND LEGAL DIFINITIONS HELP INDICATE THE RAPE VICTIM'S NEEDS. SHE WILL NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION TO DETERMINE PREGNANCY OR DISEASE AND TO COLLECT POLICE EVIDENCE, ADVICE AND SUPPORT TO DEAL WITH POLICE INTERVIEWS AND PROCEDURES, LEGAL ASSISTANCE, AND COUNSELING AND THERAPY TO DEAL WITH THE RAPE INCIDENT AND THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES WHICH FOLLOW. THE VICTIM WILL NEED TO DISCUSS THE INCIDENT AND HER FEELINGS AND TO BE NONJUDGMENTALLY HEARD AND UNDERSTOOD. THIS MAY OFTEN NOT BE POSSIBLE WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS WHO MAY THEMSELVES FEEL GUILTY ABOUT THE INCIDENT OR BE SUSPICIOUS OF THE VICTIM. IN GENERAL, THE RAPE VICTIM WILL EXPERIENCE A PREDICTABLE EMOTIONAL RESPONSE PATTERN: SHOCK, DISBELIEF, FEAR, GUILT; APPARENT OUTWARD READJUSTMENT; RECURRENCE OF GUILT, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION; AND FINALLY RESOLUTION AND REINTEGRATION. VENTILATION OF THESE FEELINGS, SUPPORT, ACCEPTANCE, AND THERAPEUTIC COUNSELING WILL BE MOST IMPORTANT TO THE COURSE OF THIS REACTION AND THE VICTIM'S ULTIMATE READJUSTMENT. CRISIS, SHORT-TERM, AND LONG-TERM GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL INTERVENTION MAY HELP THE VICTIM AND IMPORTANT OTHERS IN HER LIFE DURING THE PROCESS OF READJUSTMENT. MEETING THE VARIOUS NEEDS OF THE VICTIM WILL REQUIRE A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH, COOPERATION, AND COORDINATION AMONG SERVICE PROVIDERS. ONE SUCH NETWORK HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA. IT CONSISTS PRIMARILY OF THE AREAS'S YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, FAMILY SERVICE, PLANNED PARENTHOOD, AND THE HUNTINGDON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. THESE FOUR AGENCIES HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE POLICE AND OTHER AREA SERVICES AND AGENCIES TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. IN ADDITION TO SERVICE PROVISION AND REFERRAL, THE NETWORK ENGAGES IN A VARIETY OF PUBLIC EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND ADVOCACY ACTIVITES. OPERATION OF THE NETWORK IS ILLUSTRATED IN A CASE REPORT. (JAP)