Rape and Sexual Assault Victim Behavior
PTSD Treatment for Survivors of Sexual Assault
Rape victims with a history of sexual abuse
Results showed that video intervention had some effectiveness in reducing substance use in rape victims with a history of sexual abuse (Walsh et al., 2017). In randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to treat nonsexual traumatic events, these interventions resulted in greater improvements in functioning and lower levels of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression than supportive counseling (SC). Furthermore, they showed differences that persisted over six months. Kilpatrick and Veronen found improvement in rape victims who received 4 to 6 hours of early intervention based on cognitive behavioral skills acquired between days 6 and 21 post-rape, but the improvement was no greater. Male victims typically do not seek psychotherapy long after sexual assault – according to Lacey and Roberts, less than half of male victims sought therapy within six months, and the median interval between assault and therapy was 2.5 years; A study by King and Woollett involving over 100 male rape victims found that the average interval between assault and therapy was 16.4 years.
Rape victims with psychological problems
Some survivors may have psychological problems before being raped, making it difficult to recover. For example, survivors may try to control their response to alcohol or drugs. In addition, many people have substance use problems or other unhealthy behaviors (such as self-harm) in response to strong unpleasant emotions caused by the attack. In addition to being more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, raped women also suffer from higher levels of sexual dysfunction.
PTSD is quite common among sexual assault victims. A study shows that approximately 70% of sexual assault victims have experienced severe trauma, and 45% report symptoms of the post-stress disorder. Although most rape or sexual assault victims do not experience chronic psychopathology, these forms of trauma are associated with a higher prevalence of PTSD compared with other types of traumatic events. For example, an epidemiological survey of 4,008 women conducted by the National Women’s Study 8 found that the lifetime prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder caused by rape and sexual assault was 32% and 30.8%, respectively. In contrast, trauma caused. The number of cases is 9.4%. Not related to crime (for example, car accidents). Several studies have shown that victims of rape trauma are one of the highest risks of PTSD and related diseases.
Rape victims with PTSD
Although people can suffer from PTSD after a series of horrific experiences, including fighting, assaults, or fatal accidents, rape victims are more likely to have long-term physical and mental problems. A life of torment. A study earlier this year by a group of German researchers compared 27 survivors of World War II rape with women who had suffered other types of trauma during the war. Rape and sexual assault are common forms of victimization and often cause PTSD.
In summary, rape is common in the population. It is important to develop effective early interventions that can be delivered to reach victims of rape quickly and thus reduce the development of long-term mental health problems such as PTSD. Although a recent study showed that a PE packet delivered within 14 weeks effectively reduced the overt symptoms of PTSD in adolescents after sexual assault (Foa et al., 2013), we are not aware of any studies investigating the effectiveness of early psychological intervention for young victims of rape. We know that the cultural response to rape – from communities, police departments, medical personnel, and the attackers themselves – can significantly affect how a victim recovers, the length of the recovery period, and whether or not they develop PTSD.
Rape victims and social support
In addition, external factors such as the victim’s social support, the severity of the attack, or the relationship between the victim and the abuser can also affect the victim’s psychological state and behavior after the sexual assault. By analyzing their behavior, victims may believe they can explain what happened or determine ways to avoid similar situations, thereby avoiding future victims. Victims may feel embarrassed or ashamed of the details of the attack and may withhold information when initially disclosed.
Explain to the victims that you are here to help them and that you are not judging them for everything they did before the attack. Sexually abused people tend to shy away from physical contact. Still, at the same time, they mustn’t feel that those closest to them are leaving emotionally or that they are somehow “overshadowed” by it.
For example, victims usually keep in touch with their attackers because they may still have affection for them, even if they hate violence. Some victims also frequently keep in touch to regain control of their attacks. Weeks, months, or years later, the victim may experience a similar reaction (heart palpitations, rapid breathing, muscle tension, etc.) to memories of the attack. Long after the attack, victims may continue to experience fear responses triggered by any number of memories of the sexual assault.
These feelings may appear immediately after the attack, or they may appear several years after the attack. Even if you intellectually know that you are not responsible for rape or sexual assault, you still feel guilty or ashamed. Aggressive trauma can make you feel fear, anger, guilt, anxiety, and sadness. For many male victims, shame and secrecy are exacerbated by the fear that their sexual behavior may be related to it or the fear that others think so.
These reactions are common in adult victims of sexual assault; Please note that adults and children react very differently. Fear and anxiety elicit physical, mental, and behavioral reactions that can lead to the survivor feeling out of control after the attack (some information obtained from South Carolina Medical University). More importantly, all of these reactions are normal reactions to the traumatic event you have experienced. It is important to remember that what you are experiencing is a normal reaction to trauma.
And on top of that, like many rape survivors, you can fight PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Since your nervous system is hypersensitive after being raped or assaulted, you may start trying to numb or avoid any association with trauma. These reactions may include feeling like they are reliving the rape again, having nightmares about it, trying not to think about it or remembering it, avoiding things that might make them think, feeling cut off from their feelings or relationships, being nervous, or alert, trouble sleeping or concentrating, and feeling overwhelmed or depressed.
Some reports suppressed sexual reactions and memories of being raped during sexual intercourse. Loss of interest in sex After being attacked, victims usually lose interest in sexual intercourse. Stopping sexual intercourse or sexual activity, including difficulty resuming normal intercourse, suppressing sexual responses, and memory of rape during periods of sexual activity or hypersexuality. This may include actual and attempted rape and unnecessary sexual contact.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one-third of women and one-quarter of men experience sexual violence, including physical contact, at some point in their lives.
Resources on Rape and Sexual Assault Victim Behavior:
verywellmind.com/symptoms-of-ptsd-after-a-rape-2797203
heretohelp.bc.ca/aftermath-rape
frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01595/full
helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/recovering-from-rape-and-sexual-trauma.htm
psychiatrictimes.com/view/rape-related-ptsd-issues-and-interventions
students.wustl.edu/rape-trauma-syndrome/
loyola.edu/department/counseling-center/services/students/concerns/sexual-assault/reactions
pcar.org/blog/common-victim-behaviors-survivors-sexual-abuse
ourresilience.org/what-you-need-to-know/effects-of-sexual-violence/