NCJ Number
209240
Date Published
October 2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews critical issues that mental health practitioners are likely to face in working with rape survivors.
Abstract
To date, most rape-victim research has focused on the traumatic effects on the victim directly related to the rape itself. Recent findings, however, indicate that rape survivors not only must deal with the rape's psychological impact but also with how the victimization has affected those close to them (e.g., husbands, significant others, and friends). In addition, a growing body of literature suggests that victims' postassault interactions with community service providers -- including police, prosecutors, doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals -- may add to the traumatizing effects of the rape event. Rape survivors, therefore, may typically present a wide range of mental health needs that must be addressed in the course of therapy. Empirical evaluations of therapeutic techniques suggest that cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can be effective in reducing short-term postrape symptoms of fear and anxiety. Feminist therapies tend to focus on survivors' longer term problems with guilt and self-blame. Feminist therapy combined with CBT many be effective in addressing multiple mental health needs at various stages of the rehabilitation process. Also, it is not uncommon for mental health practitioners who work with rape survivors to experience distressing emotions similar to those of their clients. These symptoms have been called secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, or vicarious traumatization. These symptoms tend to be more prevalent among therapists with higher caseloads of sexually traumatized clients. Self-care is important to ensure that the therapeutic relationship with the client is not undermined by these debilitating therapist symptoms. 71 references