Conceptualizing the Harm done by Rape

Abstract

Based on a review of theory and evidence, this article highlights the limitations of trauma response models and applications of posttraumatic stress to characterize the experiences of women who are raped. There are two primary problems with trauma response theories. First, traditional notions of trauma are likely too narrow to accurately capture the complexities of women's experiences of sexual violence in a gendered society. Second, the symptoms emphasized by clinical applications of the trauma model may legitimate one sociocultural manifestation of distress while excluding others. Alternative conceptualizations are presented to stimulate more ecologically grounded and culturally inclusive study of sexual violence. Using the rape of women as an example, this article illustrates the limitations of Western views of trauma and encourages researchers and practitioners to expand notions of survivors' responses to painful events.

Attachment, Self-Esteem and Subjective Well-Being Among Survivors of Childhood Sexual Trauma

“…It is difficult to categorize traumatic experiences into specific diagnoses. Through limiting the research to specific diagnoses, researchers tend to rule out individual differences that may be due to societal reactions and victim-blaming behaviors from peer and family groups (Wasco, 2003). As described by Wasco (2003) victim-blaming behaviors can lead to retraumatization and a wide array of distress symptoms.…”

Predictors of Injury Associated with Rape

“…Rape experiences are often followed by physical, cognitive, and behavioral responses that are consistent with PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and rape victims have long been thought to constitute the largest proportion of PTSD sufferers (Foa & Meadows, 1997;Steketee & Foa, 1987). Other researchers claim that PTSD symptoms capture only a small portion of the associated distress and harm caused by rape, and may not be applicable to multicultural populations (Wasco, 2003).…”

“…Extant literature and national surveys confirm that multiple factors are associated with rape injury and health outcomes. (Wasco, 2003). Understanding the differences in adolescent and adult women's acute and long-term responses will be advanced by expanding traditional trauma theory.…”

“…Understanding the differences in adolescent and adult women's acute and long-term responses will be advanced by expanding traditional trauma theory. Rape as a single event from which a linear cause and effect trajectory is initiated may not adequately explain the differences in women's physical and psychological health after rape (Wasco, 2003). Further exploration and clarification of preceding and co-existing victim and forensic characteristics is needed to determine women's risks for acute injury, increased stress, and long-term negative health consequences.…”

Pharmacotherapy to Blunt Memories of Sexual Violence: What's a Feminist to Think?

“…Episodic experiences of shame will interact with such background shame in different ways. I might point out in this connection that, contrary to the traditional “shattered assumptions” theories of trauma according to which trauma disrupts victims' assumptions about the safety of the world or the goodness of themselves and others, recent literature suggests that there is just as much risk of developing PTSD when the traumatic event reinforces existing schemas, such as a view of the world as inherently dangerous or of oneself as worthless (Foa and Riggs 1993; Gilfus 1999; Wasco 2003).…”