NCJ Number
209193
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2001 Pages: 1028-1047
Date Published
October 2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study identified correlates of formal and informal support-seeking for a sample of 323 sexual assault victims.
Abstract
Participants were recruited from community residents (n=202), college students (n=98), and mental health agencies (n=23). Measures encompassed basic demographic information; experiences of completed and attempted rape and coercion and unwanted sexual contact from age 14; and social support, social reactions, and psychological symptoms regarding the best-remembered sexual assault. Information was also obtained on first disclosure of the assault, whether they perceived their life to be in danger at the time of the assault, and the victim's relationship with the perpetrator. Victims were questioned about receiving support from any of six types of support providers: friend or relative, pastor, mental health professional, a physician, the police, and rape crisis center staff member. As hypothesized, victims of rapes by strangers that involved significant injury were more likely to seek support from formal service providers. Victims who sought formal involvement reported receiving more negative social reactions upon disclosing their assaults than victims who sought support from informal social networks only. Negative reactions included controlling and egocentric responses and victim blame. The frequency of receipt of positive social reactions did not differ as a function of disclosing to formal support providers or informal sources only, with the exception of tangible aid, which was more often provided by formal support sources. White women reported more emotional support from informal sources compared with ethnic minority women, and minority women reported more emotional support from mental health and medical professionals. Minority women also received more egocentric reactions from formal support providers. Further, women currently in school received more negative reactions of egocentrism and blame if they told formal support sources. The authors advise that formal sources of support should receive more training in the dynamics of rape so they can deal more empathetically with victims and reduce blaming responses. 3 tables and 53 references