The Traumatic Impact of Rape Flashcards
According to the South African Stress & Health Survey, what type of trauma has the strongest association with PTSD among women?
Rape has the strongest and most pathogenic association with PTSD among women, as indicated by the survey.
What type of trauma is most predictive of PTSD among men, according to the South African Stress & Health Survey?
Political torture is most predictive of PTSD among men, as revealed by the survey.
Besides PTSD, what other psychological effects can trauma, such as rape or political torture, cause?
Trauma can also lead to depression, anxiety, suicidality, grief and/or loss, feelings of helplessness, bodily aches and pains, substance abuse (including alcohol and aspirin), and changes in eating and/or sleeping patterns.
PTS(D)
Expected within 4 weeks after traumatic event, but if it persists beyond 4 weeks, then it is a Disorder. Symptoms: (IAMCAO)
What percentage of rape survivors experience post-traumatic stress (PTS) following rape?
More than 70% of rape survivors experience PTS post-rape.
After how many weeks following rape do almost 60% of survivors develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
Almost 60% of survivors develop PTSD after 4 weeks following the rape.
What percentage of women raped by non-partners attempt suicide?
Approximately 25% of women raped by non-partners attempt suicide.
How do behavioral changes around sex in rape complainants affect their risk of contracting HIV?
Rape complainants are 60% more likely to contract HIV than women who have not experienced rape, with the risk increasing from about 6 months after the rape.
Factors affecting responses of rape survivors: cultural context and subjective experience of events
- Characteristics of the victim: (2)
Factors affecting responses of rape survivors: cultural context and subjective experience of events
Characteristics of the rape:
● number of rapists, multiple rape, familiarity with rapist, extent of violence inflicted by the rapist, injuries, illnesses or disabilities that may result from the rape;
Factors affecting responses of rape survivors: cultural context and subjective experience of events
Responses of others (secondary victimization):
What is secondary victimization?
Secondary victimization refers to the behaviors and attitudes of social service providers that are “victim-blaming” and insensitive, further traumatizing victims of violence.
What psychological theory underpins some aspects of secondary victimization, attributing moral blameworthiness or the perception of deservingness to victims?
The “just world theory” is often associated with secondary victimization, where individuals believe that people get what they deserve, leading to victim-blaming attitudes.
How is secondary victimization evident in the criminal justice system?
Secondary victimization can be observed in the quality of investigation and prosecution, likelihood of conviction or acquittal, sentences imposed, as well as responses by healthcare professionals and the allocation of resources to addressing rape, often reflecting a prioritization of cases.
Four forms of responses to a rape survivor:
Do’s and Don’ts of Psychological First Aid (Immediate/Acute Stage):
