Rape Rape Trauma Syndrome
Dictionaries most commonly define rape as a sexual act committed by force especially on a woman. (The American Heritage College Dictionary. 1997 pg. 740) Until a few years ago it was limited to penial penetration of the vagina. Penal Code 261 defines rape as "an act of sexual intercourse accomplished with a person not the spouse of the perpetrator without the lawful consent."(Roberson, 1998, p. 188) Penal Code 263 goes on to say that "the fundamental wrong at which the law of rape is aimed is . . . the violation of a woman's will and sexuality." (Roberson, 1998, p. 190) All other sexual assaults are classified under varied names, yet the aftermath is usually the same. Rape is one of the cruelest forms of criminal violence. The victim suffers a profound injury. Rendered powerless by physical force, threats, or fear, after which being forced to submit to sexual acts, including vaginal penetration, oral copulation, sodomy, and penetration opening with a foreign object, the victim is left virtually alone. Rape is an intrusion into the most private and intimate parts of the body, as well as an assault on the core of the self. Despite whether the victim suffers any physical trauma, th
The Use of Flooding with Adult Survivors of Sexual Trauma6) Jerabek, Ilona, (1998). (A&R, 1990) Usually following the initial stage of numbness follows the stage of denial. (G&G) While explaining the memory the counselor will begin to ask questions about the specifics, when the counselor asks that the survivor recall details memories will begin to enter their head and will usually result in a highly emotional reaction. (Jerabek, 1998) The counselor will deal at the cognitive level by explaining the feelings the victim is having, proving they are irrational, but common, finding solutions and other ways to cope. (Jerabek, 1998) Cognitive therapies are usually a great benefit to the rape victim because they deal with changing the irrational beliefs and expectations that are present after the trauma. One thing each technique has in common is helping the victim confront, cope and continue with a new sense of self. The rapist takes away something that the victims can never wholly regain. Yet another way to understand the impact of rape is to compare it with other forms of trauma. (A&R, 1990) The second is characterological, the victim decides that the rapist was punishing them for being a bad person. (A&R, 1990) Depending on how they analyze the entire incident they can come away with a newfound look at the world accompanied with new strengths and insights. (G&G) This technique is used with caution because it is not always the best for everyone, some patients cannot take the stress of the rapid exposure in imagery used. Moreover, the painful, post-trauma symptoms that result from rape are long-lasting. There are several techniques available and the counselor must have knowledge of them and decide the best for each patient.
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