NCJ Number
189199
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 287-302
Date Published
June 2001
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examines the social reactions to rape survivors from family and friends.
Abstract
The study interviewed 102 rape survivors about the social reactions on the part of family and friends post-rape. The overall contribution of positive social reaction (e.g., providing support, listening, believing) to victims' recovery was negligible, but negative social reactions (e.g., blaming) hindered recovery. Victims often agreed as to what reactions were healing (positive), but did not agree as to what was hurtful (negative). Survivors who had someone believe their account of what happened or were allowed to talk about the assault - and who considered these reactions to be healing - had fewer emotional and physical health problems than victims who considered these reactions hurtful, or victims who did not experience these reactions at all. The impact of social reactions on victims' recovery may partially depend on victims' interpretation of the behavior. The study concludes that receiving no support at all is more beneficial to victims than receiving reactions they consider to be hurtful. Therefore, interventions targeting rape survivors' significant others, families, and friends should focus on how to avoid negative reactions when attempting to provide support. Tables, notes, references