Young Victims' and Family Reaction to Rape (From Resource Manual: Working with Sexually Abused Children and Their Families, P 38-46)

• NCJ Number: 116948
• Author(s): A W Burgess; L L Holmstrom
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 9 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted from Rape: Victims of Crisis 1974.

Annotation

This article focuses on the rape trauma syndrome of both the child and adult victim and their families.

Abstract

Rape trauma involves the following two phases: (1) an acute phase of disorganization to life-style, and (2) the long-term effects in which a reorganization process occurs. These phases are similar in both young and older adult victims of rape. The impact phase is that time period immediately following the rape or assault. The two emotional styles of reaction are the expressed style, where the victim is visibly upset, and the controlled style, in which there is little reaction. Somatic symptoms are those acute physical symptoms that can be disruptive to the victim's life. These include physical trauma, gastrointestinal irritability, and genitourinary-disturbance. The emotional reaction of both adult and child victim is fear and being unable to get the incident out of their minds. During the second phase of long-term reorganization, the victims tend to increase motor activity, such as changing residences or schools. Both adult and child victims experience nightmares and phobias as part of the long-term process after a rape. Family reaction begins with the acute period which includes the immediate emotional reaction to the news and the need to blame someone. After the family deals with these feelings and reactions, they face the issues regarding long-term reorganization of their own as well as their child's lifestyle.