RAPE Overview

 "Rape is called 'the most underreported violent crime in America.'  In a large national survey of American women, only 16% of the rapes (about 1 out of every 6) have ever been reported to the police."                                                                                             -Rape in America: A Report to the Nation, National Victim Center, 1992

Rape is a common form of sexual assault. It is committed in many situations—on a date, by a friend or an acquaintance, or when you think you are alone. Educate yourself on “date rape” drugs. .

Relationship With One's Body

Since the abuse took place on and in the body, the body can
become the enemy. After all many survivors' carry a great deal
of pain and memories in their bodies. Desperately needing ways
to cope with this pain can lead to a variety of coping
strategies including eating disorders, self-injurious behaviors (ie cutting, burning),
numbing, inability to enjoy sex, having lots of sex, poor body
image, a generalized separation from and disregard for one's
body, dissociation, and gender-identity issues.


Coping Behaviors

There are a whole range of behaviors that survivors may engage
in that come from having been sexually abused. They include:
addictions, prostitution, isolation, frequent sexual activity,
avoidance of sex, over-working, inability to work,
high-functioning, low-functioning, argumentativeness, avoiding
conflict, perfectionist, and wanting to please others.

All of these behaviors were learned in response to abuse and
served an important purpose--staying sane and alive. It is
important to not judge your or anyone else's ways of
coping--you're here because of them.


Other effects

These may include nightmares, insomnia, panic attacks,
flashbacks, anxiety attacks, terror, inability to go outside,
afraid being alone, afraid being with other people, numerous
trigger-responses, headaches, and physical problems (yeast
infections, bladder infections, anal bleeding, etc.)

If you are raped, your first instinct might be to take a shower or bath to wash away what has happened to you. However, taking a shower or bath could wash away physical evidence which could be used for prosecution. It is extremely important, whether you think you have any physical or emotional injuries or not, that you see a medical professional as soon as possible.

I still found it difficult not to feel ashamed when others reacted to me with embarrassment or discomfort. And this feeling of shame silenced me.

THE SECOND RAPE- Responses

Source: Journal of Interpersonal Violence, December 2001, vol. 16, no. 12, pp. 1239-1259(21)
Although prevention efforts aimed at eliminating the occurrence of sexual assault are clearly needed, it is also important to consider how we can prevent further trauma among those already victimized. Prior research suggests that rape survivors may experience victim-blaming treatment from system personnel (termed secondary victimization or the second rape). This research examined how post assault contact with community systems exacerbated rape victims' psychological and physical health distress. Findings revealed that the majority of rape survivors who reported their assault to the legal or medical system did not receive needed services. These difficulties with service delivery were associated with both perceived and objective measures of negative health outcomes. Contact with the mental health system, rape crisis centers, or religious communities was generally perceived by victims as beneficial. This study suggests that the trauma of rape extends far beyond the assault itself, as negative community responses can significantly elevate distress.

DEALING WITH MY RAPE

Personally, this is something that I REALLY struggled with.  After I was raped ON CAMPUS, the only reason I decided to come forward was that I would feel very very guilty if he did this to someone else and I had not reported it.  Ya, if they found the guy it would be awesome!!!!, but then again I was soooo scared to come forward.  When I came forward to the Campus police, I told them that I wanted to students to be aware and on alert so nothing would happen to someone else.  Two months later, THE CAMPUS HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED, not even all of the campus police were aware of the rape.  I felt like they did not care.  My mother, who is a very strong woman, took it upon herself to do something about it.  With support from the wonderful people at my campus newspaper, we were determined to get to the bottom of it!  While being interviewed, one University  called the survivor-me- "A PR NIGHTMARE."  If that did not make me feel like no one cared!  The students were outraged that they had not been notified and demanded an answer, as did I.  We contacted Security on Campus, a national organization, and they told the University that they had to make some changes or they would be fined (a lot of mula).   The campus began to do what they were supposed to do, but I was left feeling betrayed, alone, and like no one cared about the rape.  The reaction of the college furthered my depression and elevated my stress.  Even reactions from some friends hurt.  Some were embarrassed to talk about it, some decided that they could not handle it and stopped talking to me, and others had the "get over it attitude."  There were some people, however, who showed their love and support.  Some of my sorority sisters, my family, some of my brothers fraternity brothers,  my therapist, and a few of my teachers opened their arms with love and welcomed me in.  Even though it did not relieve the pain of the rape and others reactions, it softened the blow a little.  I will be forever thankful for those wonderful people!!