Understanding Rape Survivors' Decisions Not to Seek Help from Formal Social Systems

Abstract

Few rape survivors seek help from formal social systems after their assault. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that prevent survivors from seeking help from the legal, medical, and mental health systems and rape crisis centers. In this study, 29 female rape survivors who did not seek any postassault formal help were interviewed about why they did not reach out to these systems for assistance. Using qualitative methodology, this study found that survivors believed that formal social systems would or could not help or would psychologically harm them. Specifically, survivors thought that systems would not help because survivors themselves believed that they were unworthy of services or that their rape experience did not match stereotypical conceptions of rape. Survivors did not see how the systems could help or protect them from their assailants. Finally, survivors anticipated that systems personnel would cause them further psychological harm by not believing they had been raped or not caring about them. Survivors feared that system assistance would have intensified their painful feelings beyond their coping skills. Therefore, survivors who do not seek help may be attempting to protect themselves from perceived psychological harm. Implications for social work practice are discussed.

Labeling Acts of Sexual Violence: What Roles do Assault Characteristics, Attitudes, and Life Experiences Play?

“…Victims may not disclose their assault to others for a number of reasons, including perceived stigma, fear of retribution, not wanting to relive the assault and not recognizing the sexually violent act as an assault deserving of disclosure (e.g., Allen, 2007;Koss, 1993;Littleton et al, 2007;Patterson, Greeson, & Campbell, 2009;Ullman, 2010). The provision of corrective information may help victims to accurately label their own experiences and seek out support from others who are likely to be supportive of them, including formal rape reporting, medical care and emotional support (e.g., Paul & Sasson, 2013).…”

Assessing Receptivity to Empirically Supported Treatments in Rape Crisis Centers

“…RCCs are frequently independent agencies doing work in individual communities, with over 1,000 RCCs in the United States working together to run the National Sexual Assault Hotline (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network [RAINN], 2017). Evidence shows that survivors of sexual violence rate these services more favorably than those provided in other service sectors, including health care, legal, and other mental health sectors, and are more likely to access services from an RCC than another agency or system because they fear judgment or blame (Campbell & Martin, 2001;Patterson, Greeson, & Campbell, 2009). Thus, the RCC service sector serves a unique role in meeting survivor needs.…”

Help-seeking behaviors of South African women after sexual offence victimization : the lived experience.

“…When a rape lacked those characteristics women did not acknowledge they had experienced rape (Kahn et al, 1994: Kahn et al, 2003. Overall, reporting rape to the police was more likely if the experience had the qualities consistent with stereotypical rape characteristics (Chen & Ullman, 2010;Cohn, Zinzow, Resnick, & Kilpatrick, 2013;Kahn, & Mathie, 1994;Patterson, Greeson, & Campbell, 2009;Rohrs, 2011;Ullman, 1999).…”

“…The accessibility and availability of counseling services is essential for victims to manage the psychological impact both in the period immediately following victimization and in the long term (Campbell, 2008;Martin & Parcesepe, 2013). Literature supports the importance of post assault mental health services (Campbell, 2008;Jina & Thomas, 2013;Jordan, Campbell, & Follingstad, 2010;Kumar, Nizame, & Srivastava, 2013;Mason & Lodrick, 2013;Patterson, Greeson, & Campbell, 2009). The findings from this current study revealed the importance of having an adequate number of mental health service providers available who can rapidly arrange counseling for a woman who is experiencing an acute need for mental health care.…”

“…The revictimization was often a result of others suggesting the victim was to blame for what happened (Aherns, 2006;Campbell, 2008;Patterson et al, 2009). Tankink (2013 reported findings from a study conducted in the South Sudan concerning silence after women were sexually victimized.…”