-A generalized hatred, fear, distrust of males, may include male relatives also
Years ago I knew a white woman who was raped by a man when she was a pre-pubescent. The damage to her vagina and insides was so great she was unable to ever have children
This woman was white, the attacker was black. In addition to her physical trauma she had an extreme fear of all black males in spite of the attacker being only one person and certainly representing no race or either gender. Rapes can leave a deep and long-lasting imprint on a victim
-The victim may become numb or repulsed by sex
-Social, interpersonal and work functions may be adversely affected
Years ago there was an unusual case involving a convenience store clerk who was brutally raped while on duty. Unfortunately for this woman she had to return to work the very next day to pay off her bills. Worse yet, she was raped again by the same person.
Rape is on the rise in North America. In addition, recognition identification and reporting of this heinous crime is also on the rise.
After a rape a victim undergoes immense physical and psychological pain. In addition, the time immediately after a rape is important:
-Your personal safety and security is number one!
-If you were raped by a stranger in unfamiliar surroundings and left after the rape, the rapists may return for some more
-You need immediate medical care regardless of how you feel. Rape can sometimes make a victim numb. You may have serious medical injuries that need to be treated immediately
-Call the police or someone who can adequately protect you from further harm (family or friends, etc)
-You’re understandably fearful and anxious about having a physical examination; strangers gawking at you, yet another person touching you and your private parts. There are many men in hospitals and clinics
-During the examination you have the right to say stop at any time
-DO NOT forget to inform the physician and nurse if you’re on medication or if you’re addicted to alcohol or other drugs; even tobacco. Furthermore, if you have alcohol or drugs in your system at the time of the examination or if you’re an addict it’s imperative that you inform hospital staff
-If you have any suspicions whatsoever about having been drugged ask the physician to check for traces of rape drugs or similar derivatives
-If you have any food or drug allergies inform the medical staff. You may later forget, pass out or have a seizure. Be on the safe side always
-The examiner is trying to help you. She’s searching for signs of injury and whatever she writes in her report can be used as evidence on your behalf
-STD`s and possible pregnancy can be determined. In the case of the former many STDs can be successfully treated and cured if detected early. STD`s that are more complicated and without a cure should also be dealt with as soon as possible
-Evidence should be collected as soon as possible after the rape. This will give you the opportunity to change your mind at a later date and go through with the criminal justice process
-You may feel that the entire world will find out about your secret
-You lost all control of your destiny during the rape, now you feel helpless again
-You really want to take a shower, throw or wash all of the affected clothing, go home and cry like a baby
-Don`t even comb or clean your hair. DNA and other valuable evidence can be obtained from your body and clothing
-A specialized counselor who has the educational and work experience can begin helping you with you recovery process
-Sometimes, the social worker is also a survivor of rape and/or incest
-It’s imperative that a blood test be taken
-Birth control pills are taken to prevent pregnancy
-Vaccination for Hepatitis B; you may be prescribed medication for gonorrhoea, syphilis and Chlamydia
-You need someone caring to talk to
-The information pertaining to your rape is confidential and protected by law (U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Law). This law applies to adults. Minors need to know their rights in their respective jurisdictions
-Ask about follow-up treatment and medications
-Inform your family physician (if you have one) of what has happened. Ask the medical staff to send an official copy of the exam results to your physician
-You shall decide whether or not to press charges against the assailant
-Rape kits are used to collect valuable evidence relating to the rape; semen, body fluids, hair, skin, fibres, soil samples, etc. All items of evidence are carefully marked then stored in a secure place for easy retrieval. Rape kits contain little boxes, microscope slides and plastic bags
-If someone is charged with your rape, understand that up to 90 percent of criminal cases in the United States are plea bargained. Civil cases are similar. These are the cases that actually make it this far into the system, countless others don’t
-There’s a statute of limitations on rape. Child rape or child molestation cases are usually exceptions as victims may be allowed to press charges against a perpetrator many years after an alleged crime
-Find out about billing and insurance. Laws and billing vary between jurisdictions. Rape treatment should be absolutely free however this isn’t one of the topics politicians talk about during their election campaigns and debates
Remember, anyone can be raped and the rapist need not be a stranger. Oftentimes the rapist is a close family member or friend. Whether the victim was drinking or not or whether she was able to say no or not does not diminish the rape. Furthermore, the victim need not be conscious.
With the identification of rape as a serious problem around much of the world, an increasing number of women in North America are learning how to prevent being attacked and taking special self-defense classes. Below