Women and Adversity: Rape and Emotions
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Stories of rape have dominated the news in recent weeks. The story in “Rolling Stone” about “Jackie’s” gang rape at a University of Virginia fraternity party initiated the widespread discussion of the topic and prompted the University to suspend all fraternities until after the winter break.
Accusations of rape and sexual assault have plagued Bill Cosby for years, but within the last few months 20 women have come forward and accused the entertainer of rape and sexual assault.
A National Crime Victimization survey indicates a rape occurs about every two minutes. Various Web sites including www.healthyplace.com give a list of emotional effects of rape. Among them are:
- RTS, Rape Trauma Syndrome, similar to PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a condition military experience from combat
- Flashbacks, as if the rape is occurring again
- Depression
- Sleep disorders
- Eating disorders
- Guilt
- Anger
How does a woman overcome these obstacles?
Experts recommend talking with someone about the trauma. RAINN— Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network—has a toll free number that can lead to healing: 800-656-HOPE (4673).
Its Web site at www.rainn.org has invaluable information and states it’s “the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization.”
