RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

DESCRIPTION:

• Rape is engaging another person in sexual act or sexual intercourse through the use of force or coercion and without the consent of the sexual partner.
• The victim is not required by law to report the rape or assault.
• Often, the victim is blamed by others and receives no support from significant others.
• Acquaintance rape involves someone known to the victim.
• Statutory rape is the act of sexual intercourse with a person younger than the age of legal consent, even if the minor consent.

MARITAL RAPE:

• The belief that marriages bestows rights to sex whenever wanted and without consent of the partner contributes to the occurrence of marital rape.
• Victims of marital rape describe being forced to perform acts they did not wish to perform and being physically abused during sex.

RAPE STATISTICS:

• Nationwide statistics display a need for awareness and education about sexual assault on college campus.
• Between one in three and one in five college aged women will experience some form of relationship or sexual violence while in college.
• 85% of sexual assaults are perpetrated by an acquaintance.
• Alcohol is the number one predatory drug on college campuses.
• Less than 2% of reported rape cases have been proven false.
• More people fake their own death every year than lie about being raped.

SOURCES: Relationship & Sexual violence prevention center.

PEOPLE WHO ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED:

• 3 times more likely to experience depression
• 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide.
• 6 times more likely to experience post traumatic stress.

ASSESSMENT:

FEMALE CLIENT:

• Obtain the date of the last menstrual period.
• Determine the form of birth control used and the last act of intercourse before rape.
• Determine the duration of intercourse, orifices violated, and whether penile penetration occurred.
• Determine whether a condom was used by the perpetrator.

• Shame, embarrassment, and humiliation.
• Anger and revenge.
• Afraid to tell others because of fear of not being believed

MALE CLIENT:

• Males may be sexually abused as children and as adults and are the usual targeted victim of pedophiles; males may have more difficulty with disclosing their abuse.

RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME:

• Sleep disturbances, nightmares
• Loss of appetite
• Fears, anxiety, phobias, suspicion
• Decrease in relationships with partner, family, friends
• Self-blame, guilt, shame
• Lowered self esteem, feelings of worthlessness
• somatic complaints
• Depression

INTERVENTIONS:

• Perform the assessment in a quiet, private area.
• Stay with the victim
• Assess the victim's stress level before performing treatments and procedures.
• Victims should not shower, bathe, douche(female), or change clothing until an examination is performed.
• Obtain written consent for the examination, photographs, laboratory tests, release of information, and laboratory samples.
• Assist with the female pelvic examination and obtain specimens to detect semen (the pelvic examination may trigger a flashback of the attack); a shower and fresh clothing should be made available to the client after the examination.
• Preserve any evidence.
• Treat physical injuries and provide client safety.
• Document all events in the care of the victim.
• Reinforce to the victim that surviving the assault is most important; if the victim survived the rape, he or she did exactly what was necessary to stay alive.
• Refer the victim to crisis intervention and support groups.