Victims' experiences of their reactions to rape : a phenomenological study

D. Litt et PhilThe purpose of this study is to obtain a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of rape as it is subjectively experienced by the rape victim. Much is known about the traumatic impact that rape has on victims, and yet there is little written about how the victim experiences her reaction to rape. Keeping in mind the prevalence of sexual violence within the South African context, it is important for mental health practitioners to have a sufficient understanding of how victims tend to react to being raped. This understanding should direct therapeutic interventions and contribute to knowledge used in policy making decisions regarding preventative programs for young women in South Africa. The study begins with a detailed and critical look at the international body of knowledge which describes the traumatic nature as well as the various psychological impacts of rape. Although rape is undoubtedly a traumatic incident, not all rape victims will experience their rape as primarily traumatic and as a result are not likely to display post traumatic stress symptoms. However, there is the possibility that most rape victims will experience various psychological reactions, such as fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame and depression. Rape can also impact the victim socially, causing disruptions in the victim’s interpersonal, sexual, and social or work life. The study endeavors to recognize the journey which most rape victims go through; that being the journey from being a victim to being a survivor. This journey is captured in their recovery process. For most rape victims, recovery from rape is a process which occurs over time and is seen to be influenced by various factors on an intrapersonal, interpersonal and social level. These factors include aspects such as the victim’s demographics, how they make meaning, the nature of the assault, relationship with the perpetrator, previous life experiences and social support. In order to gain the understanding of rape experiences sought, the study engaged a phenomenological framework and explored the lived experiences of four South African rape victims. The participants were South African women who had, by their own definition been raped. Through open ended interviews, the four rape victims explored their reactions to their rape and reflected on the experiences relating to how the rape impacted on them psychologically. In order to deepen the data obtained in the interviews, the participants were are also asked to complete the Attributional Style Questionnaire, as previously considered literature reflected on attributional style as a possible influencing factor in recovery