NCJ Number
44792
Journal
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 166-173
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
COMMON PATTERNS OF REACTION AMONG THE HUSBANDS, MALE FRIENDS, AND FAMILIES OF RAPE VICTIMS ARE DISCUSSED, AND SUGGESTIONS ARE OFFERED TO ASSIST RAPE CRISIS COUNSELORS IN DEALING WITH THESE REACTIONS.
Abstract
MALE MATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS OFTEN FIND IT DIFFICULT TO RESPOND TO FEMALE RAPE VICTIMS IN AN EMPATHIC, SUPPORTIVE MANNER FOR A VARIETY OF COGNITIVE AND EMOTIONAL REASONS. PERSONS CLOSE TO THE FEMALE RAPE VICTIM MAY BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND PREJUDICES CONCERNING RAPE THAT ARE CHARACTERISTIC OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. A COMMON TENDENCY IS TO REACT MORE TO THE SEXUAL ASPECT OF THE RAPE THAN TO ITS VIOLENT ASPECTS. THERE MAY BE FEELINGS OF RESENTMENT AND ANGER TOWARD THE VICTIM, ALTHOUGH THESE FEELINGS MAY BE MANIFESTED INDIRECTLY. THESE AND OTHER RESPONSES MAY REINFORCE THE VICTIM'S SENSE OF HUMILIATION AND DEVALUATION. PARENTS AND SIBLINGS OF RAPE VICTIMS MAY EXPERIENCE A SENSE OF SHOCK, HELPLESSNESS, RAGE, OR PHYSICAL REVULSION THAT PARALLELS THE RESPONSES OF THE VICTIM HERSELF. THE INVOLVEMENT OF MATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS IN COUNSELING INTERVENTIONS DESIGNED TO HELP RAPE VICTIMS IS CRITICAL. THERE ARE FOUR WAYS IN WHICH COUNSELORS CAN PROMOTE INVOLVEMENT: (1) BY ENCOURAGING OPEN EXPRESSION BY MATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF THEIR RESPONSES TO THE CRISIS; (2) BY FACILITATING COGNITIVE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE RAPE EXPERIENCE ACTUALLY REPRESENTS TO THE VICTIM; (3) BY EDUCATING THE PEOPLE CLOSE TO THE VICTIM ABOUT THE NATURE OF HER CRISIS, THEREBY HELPING THEM TO ANTICIPATE FUTURE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOMATIC PROBLEMS; AND (4) BY PROVIDING DIRECT COUNSELING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL FAMILY MEMBERS WHOSE PERSONAL RESPONSES ARE SO PROFOUND AS TO AFFECT THEIR ABILITY TO COPE ADAPTIVELY. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.