Monday, May 4, 2009

What are consequences of a rape or violent sexual encounteron the victim, perpetrator, and bystanders?

There are many pyscological consequences on victims according to the Croatian Medical Journal:

http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=2080379

Psychological Consequences of Rape on Women in 1991-1995 War in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

To explore the short- and long-term psychological consequences of rape on women victims of rape during the 1992-1995 war against Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Methods used in this study:

The study included 68 women victims of rape and was conducted at the Medical Center for Human Rights, Zagreb, Croatia, from 1992 to 1995. Testimony method and a questionnaire were used to obtain the description of rapes and symptoms women suffered immediately after rape and at the time of the study, ie, 11.9 ± 2.4 months after the trauma. Structured clinical interviews were conducted to diagnose psychiatric disorders that were present at the time of study, according to the third edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Results of this study:

The raped women were Croatian and Muslim (Bosniak) women, residents of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Forty-four of them were raped more than once, 21 were raped every day during their captivity, and 18 were forced to witness rapes. Most of the rapes (n = 65) were accompanied by physical torture. The most frequent psychological symptoms felt immediately after the rape were depressiveness (n = 58), avoidance of thoughts or conversations associated with the trauma (n = 40), and suicidal ideas (n = 25). Although none of the women had a psychiatric history before the rape, at the time of study 52 suffered from depression, 51 from social phobia, 21 from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 17 had sexual dysfunctions. These disorders were often comorbid. Out of 29 women who got pregnant after rape, 17 had artificial abortion. The decision to have an abortion was strongly predicted by suicidal thoughts and impulses (odds ratio, 25.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.53-263.2).

Victims are affected in many ways throughout their lives; here are some of the ways in which vitcims are affected and some consequences:


http://www.rvap.org/pages/victim_impact/


-Control
-Identity
-Sexuality
-Guilt & Shame
-Spirituality
-Relationships with others
-Security and Safety
-Self-esteem/Self worth

Possible reactions to sexual assault:

> Nightmares
> Difficulty working
> Difficulty sleeping
> Decreased interest in things previously enjoyed
> Substance abuse
> Decreased concentration
> Mood swings
> Memory loss
> Eating disturbance
> Sex/Sexuality issues
> Difficulty trusting
> Difficulty being along or with people
> Problems with close relationships

Common feelings following a sexual assault:

-Fear
-Anger
-Isolation
-Feeling out of control
-Depression
-Feeling crazy
-Numbness
-Irritability
-Confusion
-Hopelessness
-Self-blame
-Shame

Trauma Theories:

The psychological and sociological literature of the last twenty years is filled with various theories which can help describe some of the effects of sexual violence on victim/survivors. Concepts include sources as varied as the pioneering research defining “Rape Trauma Syndrome” by Ann Burgess and Lynda Holmstrom, the grief process discussed by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross in “On Death and Dying”, “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder” as defined in the DSM-IV by the American Psychiatric Association, and “Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” defined by Judith Herman, M.D.

Before we begin a discussion of these theories, it is important to emphasize that a person who has been sexually assaulted is not sick, crazy or mentally ill. Rape is not a disease – it is more like an injury. One cannot be “cured” of the effects of sexual violence, but one’s mind and body can and does heal from them. This process is a natural reaction to trauma. Stress reactions can break down pre-existing healthy adjustments and patterns of behavior or they may enable the individual to advance to a healthier level of adaptation.
Successful or unsuccessful reactions to stress are dependent on a variety of factors, including support systems, personality and previous history of vicitmization. In some cases, stress reactions after sexual assault may be severe enough that victims/survivors may benefit from working with a mental health professional. While professional help may be needed in managing some symptoms, the power to heal and reorder a victim's/survivor’s life is always within the victim/survivor.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

How Do: Health care personnel investigate a rape or violent sexual encounter?

How Do:

Health care personnel investigate a rape or violent sexual encounter?


http://www.ahrq.gov/research/victsexual/victsex3.htm

When a sexual assault victim presents to a hospital or clinic, medical staff will typically assess and respond to serious or life-threatening injuries. However, the decision to do a formal evidentiary examination is dependent on the patient who must give written consent, and is affected both by State laws and the judgment of local law enforcement officials or prosecutors as to whether an examination will be useful and can be justified.


http://www.cceb.upenn.edu/news/?id=25&category=2

In order to provide health care workers with the information needed to determine if, when, and how a patient may have been a victim of sexual violence, the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV), in 2002, developed a guide for health care professionals (originally authored by Lynne Stevens, CSW, BDC) that can be used to assess patients.

Edie Camel, Director of Public Education and Research for NJCASA offered, "There is now a movement in the sexual assault field to make health care professionals more aware of the issue of sexual violence in the lives of their patients; and we can give them the tools and the guidance to do just that." To date, professionals in 16 of New Jersey's 21 counties have received training from both NJCASA and their local rape crisis centers in order to make providers more comfortable in broaching the subject with patients and helping to make a difference in the lives of thousands of women.

Disclosure of sexual violence may take awhile since victims first need to develop trust in others. While the above summary is just that, much more can be done during an office visit to assist patients. A provider's attention to patients' disclosures and caring referrals to further help can make a profound difference in the well-being of each survivor.
States all around the country need to become more proactive in identifying victims of sexual assault. Already, many states are beginning to follow Florida's lead in order to bring the health care community onboard as a partner in working with people whose lives have been touched by sexual violence.

All local rape crisis centers around the country are equipped to provide information to anyone seeking assistance with sexual assault survivors, including the health care community. All members of that community can improve services to all patients by becoming part of the solution. Development and use of procedures and protocols will allow practitioners to feel comfortable asking the questions and allow patients to address their concerns, issues, and feelings with dignity. It should be noted that while the majority of the work in this field pertains to women as victims, sexual violence is also committed against men (Tjaden and Thoennes found that 78% of the victims of rape and sexual assault are women, 22% are men), and this warrants additional study as well as attention from clinicians.


The NJCASA screening protocol used to assess patients is simple. The acronym S-A-V-E is an easy way to remember the steps used. The information is summarized for purposes of this article.

S – SCREEN all your patients for sexual violence. Patients need to be asked before they will tell. Conduct the interview in a private setting, assuring confidentiality prior to asking questions.

A - ASK direct questions in a non-judgmental way. Practitioners need to remain calm, never blaming the patient or dismissing what she is sharing. Reminding the patient that many conditions can be a result of an assault, that many women are hurt in many ways due to an assault, and asking the patient to share anything in their past that they feel may be contributing to their condition or illness will put the woman at ease and develop trust.

V – VALIDATE the patient. If the patient discloses abuse, gently remind her that she is believed, that there is help available, that she was brave to discuss the issues, and the information will greatly improve the ability of the health care professional to provide the very best treatment. Offer empathy and understanding.

E – EVALUATE, educate, and refer. You need not hear the whole story to effectively treat the patient. But the provider needs to know how the patient is now feeling, and whether she is abusing drugs or alcohol or thinking of suicide. If the patient answers no to any of the initial questions, that does not always mean she is not a victim. Use it as an opportunity to provide information about sexual violence. Provide all patients with appropriate phone contacts, literature, and available support services.

Monday, April 6, 2009

How do police investigate a rape or sexual encounter?

Police investigate rapes and sexual violence encounters by:

http://www.policeone.com/police-products/investigation/evidence-management/articles/509858-Investigating-Rape-Crimes-Part-1-Guidelines-for-first-responders/


"From a law enforcement perspective, we want to quickly arrest the perpetrator using investigative techniques that ensure a conviction and a process that causes the least amount of psychological trauma to the victim. More likely than not, this will begin with a call from the victim to police headquarters. How civilian-police dispatch or other communications personnel handle this initial contact proves critical. Depending on the variables presented in the initial contact, police administrators should ensure personnel do the following:"

1) Ask the victim whether she has sustained serious physical injury and needs immediate medical assistance. If so, dispatch an ambulance;
2) Ask the victim if she can identify or describe the suspect. Follow protocol relative to providing this information to patrol units;
3) Immediately dispatch a patrol unit to the scene;
4) Tell the victim to wait for the police to arrive if she is in a safe location;
5) Instruct the victim not to alter her physical appearance or touch anything on scene; and
6) Advise the victim not to was or douche before she undergoes a medical examination.


"The natural instinct of rape victims is to wash, douche, change clothing and use other self-help mechanisms. First-contact personnel should do everything possible to ensure the victim does not doe this. In addition to the location where the rape actually took place (or in the case of an abduction, the point of contact and release), the victim is the crime scene. Although most forcible rape cases are legitimate and investigators should proceed under that assumption, investigators do have a responsibility to those falsely accused. We can best fulfill this responsibility by conducting a thorough investigation. Unlike many other crimes, convictions in rape cases may require corroborative evidence in addition to the victim’s testimony in court. This makes the proper gathering and documentation of physical evidence absolutely essential."

"In addition to following normal procedures in protecting primary and secondary crime scenes, one of the first responders (preferably a female officer) should conduct a preliminary interview with the victim in private to determine if she knows or can identify the person who raped her. The officer should obtain a physical description of the rapist and ask the victim to explain what happened. The investigator, a rape counselor, or another care provider will conduct a detailed follow-up interview in a setting most comfortable to the victim."

Police also (obviously) take note to the crime scene as well: Here are some steps in ways police go about searching the crime scene.

http://www.policeone.com/police-products/investigation/evidence-management/articles/509858-Investigating-Rape-Crimes-Part-1-Guidelines-for-first-responders/

Goals for Searching the Crime Scene:

Remember: The crime scene encompasses all areas in which people connected with a crime were located shortly before and after the crime. Both the perpetrator and victim moved through physical locations in order for crime to be committed, while the crime was committed and after the crime was committed. In searching a crime scene, we operate under the premise that whenever human beings interact with any inanimate or animate object, something is either taken away or left behind. The objectives of the search of a crime scene in a forcible rape case are the same as in any other major case:

1) Reconstruct what happened and establish that a crime occurred;
2) Identify, document and collect evidence of what occurred;
3) Link the victim and the suspect to the scene of the crime;
4) Identify and locate any witnesses; and
5) Identify and apprehend the person(s) who committed the crime.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

What is a "rape kit"?

What is a "Rape Kit"?

www.erheadquarters.com/doctors_chart/medical_terms.htm

A package containing envelopes for the collection of hair, sperm, and blood samples of a rape victims, as well as the official reporting forms.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2033896_complete-rape-kit.html

A rape kit or sexual assault kit is a collection of items used by medical personnel to collect evidence following a sexual assault. The kit generally includes containers for fluid and tissue samples, as well as other forms of storage for physical evidence collected for use in criminal proceedings. A rape kit is generally made available at the emergency room of any hospital.


http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_rape_kit

A rape kit is used in the event someone has been assulted or when a medical professional feels the need to do one it consists of a swipe of inside the vagina and other areas it collects any semen that may be in there.

I had a rape kit done when I was 13 and They swiped me inside and out, collected swipe from my underwear, finger nails, took pictures and stuff like that.

Monday, March 23, 2009

What is a Rape Crisis Center? What is it supposed to do?

What is a rape crisis center?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rape_crisis_center

Rape crisis centers evolved in order to help victims of rape, sexual abuse, and other forms of sexual violence.

http://rapecrisis.com/#

Every day tragedy meets someone who is victimized by sexual violence. The Rape Crisis Center for Children & Adults is there, providing immediate crisis care, support, and hope to those individuals and families afflicted by this horrific crime.

Crisis Intervention includes crisis counseling through a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline and hospital accompaniment services, as well as an On-line Hotline, in which the RCC staff members are the Lead National Supervisors.

http://www.therapecrisiscenter.org/

In 2008 The RCC provided advocacy to just over 730 victims and doubled hotline calls to just over 8,000.

http://www.dcrcc.org/resources


What is a "rape crisis center" supposed to do?

A rape crisis center is supposed to give advice, and in some cases take legal action. From the following research that i've done I found that:

http://www.nswrapecrisis.com.au/Information%20Sheets/My-child-has-been-sexually-assaulted.htm

This website gives whom ever is in need of this kind of center the opportunity to recieve help and some guidlines as to what might be going on. This is website is what a rape crisis center is supposed to be.

Notes on Mid-Term!

Section 3:

Perifial route - Message argument, support & evidence that are being made. Educating people is a good way to persuade people. If you want to do social marketing you have to go for central route persuasion.

How do you design messages that are for "central route persuasion?

- Perifial ques, get peoples attention.
- Prior knowledge, must educate them, give them enough information so that they can choose (Central route)
- over come peoples objectives.

EX: Smoking!!!
If you know smoking is bad for your health why do you keep smoking...?
- "it's a social thing"
- "get jobs through smoking, social networking"
- "smokers are evil"
- requires a major lifestyle change
Objectives:
- getting people to NOT be bi-standers
- people hate conflict
- some1 elses problem
- you expect some1 else to do it
- the legal aspect, don't want to intervene b/c you might get sued. Fear of consequences.
- when did "bad" become cool, if you call some1 "bad" then they are "cool".

Need to appeal through the central route.

Section 4:
-Have experience on a college campus
-Knowing something about how games are designed
-Personal skill/personal knowledge
-Must know something about topics, know something about rape, sexual violence etc...
-Persuasion, knowing something about it
-Know how to be a good story teller

Monday, February 23, 2009

Rapes occur most when...?

http://wc.arizona.edu/~wildcat/papers/90/3/12_1_m.html

Most Rapes occur in the first few weeks of school:

- 8 out of 10 rapes involve someone the victim knows & over half of the rapes are "date related"
- Often, relationship violence can be the prelude to sexual assault, while poor communication is also a contributor.
- "Alcohol can really confuse the situation," Sanders said. "If a woman is using alcohol, she really can't give consent."
- Legally, a woman under the influence of drugs and alcohol cannot give consent to sexual behavior.
- over half of campus sexual assaults involve the use of alcohol by the man, the woman, or both.


http://www.rainn.org/statistics?gclid=CLHG9I3B85gCFZuF7QodaBYS1g

- Approximately 73% of rape victims know their assailants.



http://organizations.rockbridge.net/projecthorizon/sacommonmyths.htm

Rape is a criminal act of violence, using sex as a weapon. Men rape to express hostility and to dominate. Since most convicted rapists are married or have available sex partners, rape is not primarily a sexual experience. Men rape because it allows them to express anger and to feel powerful by controlling another person. Studies show that 50% of rapes are planned, not impulsive. This supports the view that rape is learned behavior and does not arise from biological need.

Rape is probably one of the most under reported crimes; researchers estimate that between 50 to 90% of rape cases go unreported.

Over 33% of rapes occur after an assailant has forced entry into a home; Over 50% of rapes occur in a residence.

Only 57% of rapes involve only one assailant. 16% involve 2 rapists and 27% involve 3 or more rapists.

Men, both heterosexual and homosexual, can be and are raped -- usually by other men. 1 in 6 boys are victims of sexual assault before the age of 18.

http://www.ouhsc.edu/police/CrimePrevention/Rape.asp

Rape is an act of VIOLENCE, not passion. it is an attempt to hurt and humiliate, using sex as the weapon.

No one asks to be a victim of sexual violence . . . it can happen to anyone (both male and female) - children, grandmothers, students, working women, mothers, wives, the rich and poor. Rapists tend to prey on women who look vulnerable, appear to be easily intimidated, or seem to be daydreaming.

Rape often occurs in one's home - be it apartment, house or dormitory. Very often the rapist is known by the victim in some way and the rape is carefully planned.

Most rapists rape again, and again, and again - until caught.

INDOORS You Should:

- Don't prop open self-locking doors ! it may be a hassle, but the security's worth it.
- Lock your door (and your windows), even if you leave for a few minutes. Don't leave an OPEN invitation.
- Watch your keys --- don't lend them - Don't leave them - Don't lose them - and Don't put your name and address on your key ring.
- Watch out for unwanted visitors - know who's on the other side of the door before you open it.
- Watch those isolated spots - labs, locker rooms, pedestrian tunnels, especially late at night. Go with a friend. Call the OU HSC Police at Extension 1+4911, and advise that you are in the building, and you would like to be checked on periodically by an officer, or you would like to have an officer escort you.
- Uninvited guests? Demand they leave, or you leave quickly and call the police.

OUTDOORS You Should:

- Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night. Vary your route; stay in well-traveled, well lighted areas.
- Have your key ready before you reach the door-home, car, office, or dorm.
- Park your car in a well-lighted area, and lock it - even if your only going to be inside a building for a few minutes.
- Drive on well-traveled streets - with your doors, and windows locked and up.
- Never pick up a hitchhiker - it's very risky business - no matter how nice they seem and look.
- Keep your car in good shape with plenty of gas in the tank.
- In case of car trouble - on campus use a Lot Telephone, or cellular phone to notify the OU HSC - Police - raise the hood, lock the doors - windows up. Off-campus, hood up - doors and windows locked and up - place a "Help, call police" banner in the rear window, then call for assistance if you have a cellular phone.


http://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/56542.html

Rape has become the fastest growing, most under-reported, and least punished crime in the United States. "It is legally defined as sexual intercourse by forcible compulsion." (23) The FBI estimates that only one in ten rapes are ever reported to the police, and of those reported 50% of the rapists are arrested.