'Nonnormative' life events are those that do not happen to everyone as a part of the normal developmental process. The rape's impact on the victim encompasses immediate concerns (whether to report the rape to the police and whom to tell about the rape) as well as intermediate and long-term concerns (safety, independence, family, trust, sex, and criminal justice processing). Using a longitudinal assessment of rape victim reactions and an evaluation of treatment efficacy for rape-induced fear and anxiety responses, the Sexual Assault Research Project (Charleston, S.C.) identified four models to explain how positive changes can be promoted in the rape victim. Major features of the following models are described: (1) life threat-life appreciation; (2) agency-, institution-, and system-mediated change; (3) rape as a consciousness-raising experience; and (4) rape as a challenge or test. Three notes and 14 references are provided.