NCJ Number
45430
Journal
Personnel and Guidance Journal Volume: 56 Issue: 2 Dated: (OCTOBER 1977) Pages: 77-80
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE ARTICLE PROVIDES PRACTICAL AND PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED BY PRACTITIONERS INTERESTED IN COUNSELING RAPE VICTIMS; ADDITIONAL INTERVENTION STRATEGIES AND SERVICES ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
THE NEED FOR PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING SERVICES FOR RAPE VICTIMS IS PERHAPS GREATER THAN FOR OTHER CRIMES BECAUSE OF THE MIXED MESSAGES AND MYTHS PERPETUATED BY SOCIETY ABOUT RAPE. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA MAY ALTER A VICTIM'S INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS, PHYSIOLOGICAL PATTERNS (E.G., EATING, SLEEPING), SELF-CONCEPT, AND OVERALL PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING FOR MANY MONTHS, OR IN SOME CASES, EVEN YEARS. KNOWLEDGEABLE AND SENSITIVE COUNSELORS CAN PERFORM A VALUABLE SERVICE BY PROVIDING IMMEDIATE SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION IN THE INITIAL COUNSELING SESSIONS. THE THREE PRIMARY GOALS IN THIS INITIAL STAGE ARE ESTABLISHING A SOUND WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE RAPE VICTIM, PROVIDING PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE AFTERMATH OF A RAPE, AND EXPLORING THE NEED FOR LONG-TERM COUNSELING. DEEPER PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS USUALLY ARISE THAT REQUIRE MORE INTENSIVE COUNSELING, THE GOALS WHICH ARE FURTHER IDENTIFICATION CLARIFICATION, AND ACCEPTANCE OF FEELINGS; REORIENTATION OF PERCEPTIONS AND FEELINGS; AND RESUMPTION OF A REGULAR, NORMAL LIFESTYLE. COMMON FEELINGS AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OF THE RAPE VICTIM TO WHICH COUNSELORS NEED TO BE SENSITIVE INCLUDE: (1) A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF VULNERABILITY; (2) SUSPICION AND EXTREME SENSITIVITY IN DEALINGS WITH MALES; (3) FEAR OF THE RAPIST RETURNING; (4) FEELINGS OF CONFUSION ABOUT TELLING OTHER PEOPLE; AND (5) FEELINGS OF GUILT, SHAME, EMBARRASSMENT, AND STUPIDITY. TECHNIQUES FOR DEALING WITH THESE REACTIONS INVOLVE REASSURING THE VICTIM THAT THE FEELINGS ARE EXPERIENCED BY MANY RAPE VICTIMS, DEVELOPING A DEFENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION TO ALLAY FEARS OF A REOCCURRENCE OF THE ATTACK, AIDING THE CLIENT TO ACQUIRE THE REQUISITE SKILLS TO ACT ON HER DECISIONS, AND HELPING THE VICTIM TO REALIZE THAT SHE IS TRULY A VICTIM AND CORRECTLY ATTRIBUTE BLAME TO THE RAPIST. THE COUNSELOR MUST HELP THE VICTIM PUT THE INCIDENT INTO THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE: ALTHOUGH THE EXPERIENCE WAS TRAUMATIC, THE VICTIM MUST INCORPORATE IT INTO HER LIFE AND CONTINUE LIVING. SHE MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO WITHDRAW FROM DAILY ACTIVITIES, AS SHE MAY BECOME MORE DEPRESSED AND ISOLATED. THE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES TO WHICH THE COUNSELOR CAN LEND PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE INCLUDES: SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM COUNSELING; RAPIST-REHABILITATION GROUP COUNSELING; COMMUNITY-HELPER TRAINING; ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS; AND PROMOTING LEGAL CHANGE. RAPE CRISIS LINES TO PROVIDE SUPPORT LEGAL AND MEDICAL INFORMATION, AND REFERRALS FOR LONG-TERM COUNSELING ARE BEING SET UP IN SOME METROPOLITAN AREAS. THERAPY GROUPS FOR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS OF RAPE VICTIMS HELP DEAL WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL CONFLICTS WHICH FOLLOW THE RAPE OF SOMEONE CLOSE. POLICE AND HOSPITAL PERSONNEL ARE IN NEED OF WORKSHOPS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT WILL GIVE THEM SKILLS IN WORKING WITH THE EMOTIONALLY TRAUMATIZED . VICTIM. WORKSHOPS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC CAN SERVE TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION AND ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS. WHILE SOME STATES HAVE ALREADY BEGUN REVISING OUTDATED AND DESTRUCTIVE RAPE LEGISLATION, AREAS THAT NEED SPECIAL ATTENTION ARE: (1) REVISING SENTENCES; (2) INCLUDING MEN AS POSSIBLE RAPE VICTIMS; (3) INCLUDING WIVES AS POSSIBLE RAPE VICTIMS; (4) DELETING USE OF PAST SEXUAL HISTORY OF VICTIMS AS ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE; AND (5) SETTING UP COUNSELING REFERRAL PROCEDURES FOR RAPISTS. (DAS)