Sutherland and Scherl conducted follow-up interviews with thirteen young rape victims who were living in low-income areas in which they were employed. The women in the sample were young, ranging in age from 18 to 24 years. Most of the women were seen within 48 hours of the assault in a community mental health facility. The acute course after the assault was followed by a therapist.

The investigators found that the women experienced three distinct phases in their reaction to the rape: an acute reaction, outward adjustment, and integration and resolution. During the first phase, acute reaction, the woman experienced shock, disbelief, and dismay. Often her behavior was agitated, incoherent, and very volatile. The women found it difficult to talk about their experiences, and often any mention of the incident caused them to break down.

During the initial phase, women who felt there was no seduction or willing compliance involved in the rape immediately phoned the police or went to a nearby medical facility. Five of the women felt an inner sense of guilt regarding their involvement in the rape and therefore delayed telling anyone about the rape or seeking medical care or legal assistance. One woman did not report her rape until 2 months after the episode, when she found that she was pregnant.

Notification of parents or family created great anxiety for the women in this sample. Fear of divulging the episode to a woman's family was grounded in her feeling that her own lack of judgment might have led to the attack. During this phase the woman was also confronted with the decision of whether to press charges, the possibility of having to identify the assailant, the response of her friends, the nature of publicity, potential pregnancy, and the responses of significant others in her life.

Sutherland and Scher found that the initial phase lasted from a few days to a few weeks. As the phase progressed, the woman tended to be able to handle the realistic consequences of the assault and was less involved in nonspecific anxiety.

It is crucial that the health worker assist the rape victim in confronting her feelings during this phase rather than supporting some of her defenses, since the victim rarely has an opportunity to share her response with the other professionals involved in her medical care and legal proceedings. At this time the health professional also helps direct the woman's attention toward the future and how she might feel in a few weeks or months. The victim is told that fear, anger, and depression may arise and that she may feel uncomfortable in dating, engagement, or marriage. If necessary, the woman is encouraged to seek professional counseling.

During the second phase, outward adjustment, the woman usually returned to her work or school activities or assumed her role as homemaker. I t was at this point that she became outwardly composed and felt that she needed no further help. The investigators labeled this a period of "pseudo adjustment" and felt that it contains much denial or suppression. To protect herself and others, the woman ignores the personal impact of the rape.

The victim also tends to set aside her doubts about her own role in the rape. She may deal with her feelings about the attacker by attributing the rape to chance or to a deeper social struggle. At any rate, the woman seems to have very little interest in gaining insight through professional help during this phase. The investigators suggest that the rationalizations offered by the victim during this phase are grounded in her fears about the rape.

Phase three, integration and resolution, starts when the woman experiences a need to talk and feels depressed. It is during this phase that she may resolve her feelings about the rape.

Sutherland and Scherl identified two themes that emerge during the resolution process. The woman first must integrate a new concept of herself. This involves her acceptance of the rape itself and her involvement in precipitating it. Next, she must resolve her feelings about the rapist and her relationship to him. Usually the woman is very angry during this phase toward both the rapist and herself.

Sometimes a specific incident triggers phase three, such as diagnosis of pregnancy a, glimpse o f the rapist, or a marriage proposal. Often, though, there is no single identifiable event that triggers this phase. Instead, the woman may find herself functioning less well and thinking more about the rape. During this period the woman may have obsessive thoughts about the assault, concerns about the influence of the rape on the rest of her life, and a real need to consult with a professional. If the client is told during the initial contact that she may experience this third phase, then she can adaptively seek assistance. With the help of a health professional, her emotions can be reduced to manageable intensities so that she is able to maintain control.

About The Author
David Crawford is the CEO and owner of a company known as Natural Penis Enlargement which is dedicated to researching and comparing penis enlargement products in order to determine which penis enlargement product is safer and more effective than other products on the market. Copyright 2010 David Crawford of http://www.maleenhancementgroup.com/penis-enlargement-pills/ This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.