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Reactions to Rape Victims - Effects of Rape Circumstances, Victim's Emotional Response, and Sex of Helper

NCJ Number
90165
Journal
Journal of Counseling Psychology Volume: 29 Issue: 6 Dated: (November 1982) Pages: 645-654
Author(s)
J E Krulewitz
Date Published
1982
Length
10 pages
Annotation
In this research, case reports purported to have come from the records of a sexual abuse care center were presented to 98 female and 107 male undergraduates who then judged the impact of the rape experience on the victims' psychological adjustment and indicated their likely counseling goals for her.
Abstract
Three types of rape circumstances (home blitz, outside blitz, acquaintance) were varied with three types of postrape manifest emotional reactions (upset-anger, upset-guilt, calm) and subject sex. 'Upset' victims were seen as having more serious and more long-lasting problems, were more likely to be encouraged to try and forget the incident, and were less likely to be encouraged to accept personal responsibility for the assault than were calm victims. Subjects, especially men, evaluated victims' degree of emotional upset as a function of rape circumstances, with blitz-type assaults seen as the most upsetting. Women were more sympathetic with and more willing to talk with rape victims than were men. Implications of the findings are discussed. Tables, 2 notes, and about 35 references are included. (Author abstract modified)

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