Family Response to Rape and Sexual Assault (From Rape and Sexual Assault, P 159-188, 1985, Ann W Burgess, ed. - See NCJ-97300)

• NCJ Number: 97313
• Author(s): T S Foley
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 30 pages
• Sale Source: Garland Publishing, Inc.
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This review of current research on the response of the rape victim's family to her and the victimization considers background material and research on sexual assault, the response of the victim's partner and other family members, and counseling victims' families.

Abstract

Few studies have focused solely on the response of the rape victim's family to the crime, but many make references to victims' families. The literature indicates that sexual assault generates many factors which have a long-term disruptive impact on the victims' relationships with their spouses. Men whose wives have been assaulted report intense feelings of anger, frustration, and desire for revenge. Jealousy and a sense of loss are also common responses; the man may also blame his wife for the attack. Sexual assault negatively affects the couple's sexual relationship as well. These studies show the need for preventive education for males. The reactions of the support network also may do more harm than good to the victim's recovery. The issue of disclosure is a problematic area for both the family and the victim and is a particular concern when the victim is an adolescent. Pre-rape patterns of family functioning and support of the social network are important to family functioning when a child has been raped. The severity of the impact of the assault depends partly on the influence of other stressful life events and psychiatric history present in the family. Many intervention approaches have been suggested for specific response patterns, but no research has focused on the effectiveness of various treatment interventions. Foley and Davies have listed adaptive and maladaptive responses of families to a sexual assault and have suggested appropriate interventions. Others have suggested interventions to address the needs of male family members, sexual dysfunction between victims and their spouses, and the needs of adolescent victims and their families. Suggestions relate both to assessment and to treatment. Tables and a list of 94 references are supplied.