1. Counseling Survivors of Rape and Their Partners
CSL
Class 8
November 1, 2016

2. Rape: Some Facts
Rape, or the threat of rape, is a reality that most women across all cultures are concerned about.
One out of six women in this country has experienced rape or attempted rape.
302,100 women are raped in the United State each year.

3. Women of all races are equally at risk for rape.
Two thirds of the women between the ages of 18 and 29 who were attacked had a prior relationship with their attackers.
Women of all races are equally at risk for rape.
Every 109 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted.
And every 8 minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only 6 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison.

4. Rape is described as a crime of violence rather than of sex with far-reaching physical, emotional, and sexual implications.
Typically, victims do not experience rape as a sexual experience, rather, [as] a confrontation or brush with death.
All forms of rape involve disregard and disrespect for the feelings and welfare of the victim.

5. Myths About Rape they're dating there was no force/violence involved
The following are common rape myths:
IT’S NOT RAPE IF…
rape is a rare occurrence
they're dating
there was no force/violence involved
she didn't fight it
she went home with him

6. If women were more cautious in avoiding strangers, they would not be raped
she wasn't aware of what was happening
she said no but really meant yes
she’s a prostitute

7. She wouldn't have been raped if she wasn't…
drinking alcohol
wearing tight/sexy clothing
leading him on
slutty/a bad girl/sleeping around
the primary motive for rape is impulsive sexual desire

8. in the wrong place at the wrong time rape only happens in big cities
asking for it
young and attractive
in the wrong place at the wrong time
rape only happens in big cities
The criminal justice system is fair & impartial in handling criminal sexual conduct cases involving people of color
Studies show that the major motive for rape is power, not sex. Sex is used as a weapon to inflict pain, violence and humiliation. Most rapists appear to have normal personalities with an abnormal tendency to be aggressive and violent. Between 2/3 and 3/4 of sexual assaults are planned in advance

9. women often falsely report rape to gain attention or get somebody in trouble
boys and men can't be victims
most sexual abuse of boys is perpetrated by homosexual males
if a boy experiences sexual arousal or orgasm from abuse, this means he was a willing participant or enjoyed it

10. boys abused by males are or will become homosexual
if the perpetrator is female, the boy or adolescent should consider himself fortunate to have been initiated into heterosexual activity

11. boys are less traumatized by the abuse experience than girls
the "Vampire Syndrome", that is, boys who are sexually abused, like the victims of Count Dracula, go on to "bite" or sexually abuse others
if the perpetrator is female, the boy or adolescent should consider himself fortunate to have been initiated into heterosexual activity

12. Forms of Rape Typically Identified by Researchers
Stranger rape
Acquaintance or date rape
Statutory rape
Marital Rape
Rape of males
Statutory rape: a rape that involves sexual intercourse with a person under the age of onset for sexual intercourse. This age varies from state to state and and usually ranges from ages 14 to 18.

13. Sociocultural Context
Poverty and discrimination make it difficult for some women to avoid dangerous neighborhoods or occupations that make them vulnerable to being raped.
Women of low socioeconomic status are four times more likely to be raped as other women.
Homeless women are more likely to be raped within one week after they lose their permanent housing.

14. Counseling Survivors of Rape
Successful counseling includes helping survivors “confront, accept, and integrate” what has happened to them and strengthen their personal identity by addressing the traumatic event and moving beyond it.
Sexuality counselors create a warm, supportive environment so that survivors can relate their experiences to trained professionals, make sense of their lives, and integrate the traumatic experiences into their personal narrative.

15. Sexuality counselors provide clients with opportunities to examine assumptions about the process of the legal system and help survivors and their partners answer basic questions such as:
How will litigation help me move forward with my life?
What do I hope to accomplish?
How will the legal process help me become stronger and more resilient as an individual and as a couple?

16. Scope of the Problem

17. Seeking Help Across Cultures
Many cultures assign much of the blame to survivors and offer little empathy or support for them or their partners
If a survivor attempts to report the crime to law enforcement officials, she may be ostracized or condemned and may experience isolation and rejection by her community.
Other cultures believe that male family members must avenge the honor of the family

18. Reactions to Trauma:
It is important to remember that not all survivors are traumatized by rape.
Physical reactions
Cognitive reactions
Emotional reactions
Behavioral reactions

19. Counseling Survivors of Sexual Assault
Survivor counseling emphasizes growth and resiliency of survivors and their partners.
Pay attention to healthy characteristics
Learning new external and internal coping skills
Desensitizing traumatic stress
Updating survival behaviors and perceptions
Don’t focus on weakness, victimization, or illness

20. Counselor Qualities for Working with Survivors:
Emotional strength
Empathy
Understanding
Caring
Humor
Ability to deal with rage, horror, and pain
Use terminology of survivor instead of victim
Be aware of vicarious traumatization

21. Reflective Listening Skills
Let her talk or cry or express her feelings in whatever way she wants to express herself.
Let her know that you understand something “horrible” has happened.
Let her know you are listening by reflecting back to her what feeling she is presenting and by summarizing what she is saying

22. Referrals for Medical Treatment
If there is any chance at all that they decide to report the incident, it is best to seek immediate medical attention so that evidence is obtained and documented for prosecution.

23. Questions to ask to assess some of the client’s (or their partner’s) concerns
Whom have you told or who knows about the rape?
Who has been supportive to you since you discussed the rape?
How has the incident impacted your feeling about yourself and your relationship?

24. How has the incident impacted your daily life?
How has the incident affected your sexual relationship?
Since the occurrence of the rape, how do you create safety in your world?

25. What is your involvement with the legal process and how do you view law enforcement and social agencies. Has this incident impacted your view of law enforcement and other agencies?
Do you have physical symptoms resulting from being raped?
Have you had a medical examination?

26. The Development of Sexual Problems
Sexual problems and dysfunctions are among the most common responses to rape.
Following a rape, women usually avoid all sexual contact for a period of time, ranging from a few weeks to several months.
Partners may demonstrate concern and understanding during the initial stage of sexual avoidance.

27. Partners may attempt to initiate sexual activity very soon after rape has occurred in order to negate the horrible memory of the incident.
The belief is that they can replace the unpleasant memory with a pleasant one and that they can reconfirm their love of their partner or their femininity through sexual relations.
Seldom works. They are more likely to experience guilt, fear, or anger and they are less caring, and loving with their partners.

28. PTSD – Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ASD – Acute Stress Disorder
Frequent Diagnosis
PTSD – Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
ASD – Acute Stress Disorder

29. Intervention Strategies for Survivors of Rape & Their Partners
Pharmacological Treatment for Survivors
Zoloft for the treatment of PTSD
Restructuring Thoughts
Focus on a positive view of sexuality by helping survivors accept the reality that the event did occur
Accept responsibility about how they will choose to express their responsibility.
For partners, cognitive restructuring must occur in relation to a survivors’ reluctant sexual behavior, distrust, and lack of intimacy.

30. Restructuring Behaviors
Goal is to restore a sense of well-being and sexual comfort
Restore feelings of personal power to control their sexual expressions in the future.

31. Provide nondemanding sexual expression
The the therapist must be cautious about moving at a safe pace during this vulnerable stage in the couples relationship
Holding hands
Taking a walk while holding hands
Massage

32. Identifying and Exploring Feelings
Addressing Guilt
Feelings of guilt are often difficult to address in counseling
Many survivors blame themselves for having been raped
Many survivors blame themselves for either leading on their perpetrators 0r for not fighting harder to prevent the rape

33. Addressing Fear:
Fear is a common reaction to rape
Often rational because the rapists has threatened to kill the survivor
Helps survivors express and specify their fears
Develop list of ways they can protect themselves
Triple locking the doors
Not going out at night
Ask a friend to accompany them shopping
Other steps to empower themselves

34. Explore the list with your client by asking open ended questions.
Develop Coping Skills
Help clients focus in their personal strength by having them make a list of coping skills they employ when faced with dramatic experiences.
Explore the list with your client by asking open ended questions.
How does this coping strategy work?
In which situations does the strategy work best?
What alternatives might we try to utilize to deal with this stress of the trauma?
How can we help each other try a new way of behaving or thinking about the situation?

35. Learning Self-Regulation Skills: four steps to assist counselors in offering activities for self-regulation.
Experience: notice all your feelings and observe them without judging them
Express: say something; tell yourself what you’re noticing, write or draw your feelings, talk to a supportive person
Contain: postpone dealing with the overwhelming part of what you’re experiencing, Hold only what you can stand for a length of time then put it aside.
Retrieve: later bring back a small part of what was stored and experienced and express only that part

36. Maintaining Interpersonal Boundaries
Interpersonal boundaries help us to know where we end and others begin.
Survivors may fill a loss of power or control over their boundaries and have fears that the incident could happen again
Learn to recognize how it feels when a boundary has been crossed
Help the client determine how to set boundaries for themselves

37. Building Trust How badly do I want to trust again?
What are the consequences if my trusting a person fails?
What are my past experiences and making decisions to trust people?
What about learn about trust from my experience of being raped?
Do I feel safe to trust?
Do I need to have others around me for me to feel safe?

38. Feeling Positive About Self
What are the qualities you most like about yourself?
How do you express your feelings?
How do you take care of yourself emotionally?
What activities do you enjoy doing for yourself?
What types of activities do you enjoy having others do for you?

39. What do you enjoy doing for others?
What physical attributes you feel good about?
What aspects of your body’s physical appearance do you like?
In what ways to take care of your body?
How do you play sure your body?

40. Exploring Intimacy Writing in a journal
Ways to help couples build and explore intimacy:
Writing in a journal
Talking to someone who is has a similar experience
Reading books about similar experiences
Paying attention to feelings
Listening to ideas without judging them
Slowing down life in order to notice feelings

41. Relaxation Techniques
These techniques can help reduce tension and can also increase energy to focus on other important areas in life
Deep breathing exercises
Yoga or other low impact stretching
Therapeutic massage
Reading
Music

42. Warm shower or bubble bath
Movie (comedy)
Talk to a friend
Hobbies are sports
Laughter

43. A Few Other Techniques:
Journal Writing
Imagery Techniques
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Psychodrama
Dance
Martial Arts
Music Therapy
Art Therapy