Rape victims, including women, men, adolescents, children, and incapacitated individuals, can suffer from physical and emotional trauma. Encourage them to report the crime, offer emotional support, and help them find professional counseling. Self-defense classes and prompt medical attention are also important. A rape kit can collect forensic evidence to help prosecute the abuser.
Women are the most common victims of rape, although men, adolescents, children and incapacitated individuals can be violated and targeted by attackers. Regardless of a person’s age, gender, or physical or mental state, a sexual assault can be very traumatic for the rape victim. Unfortunately, many crimes of this type go unreported, so encourage the person to notify the authorities of the attack. You should also offer emotional support to the rape victim and encourage them to seek professional counseling to aid in psychological healing.
A rape victim will often experience a range of disturbing emotions. Feelings of hurt, anger, fear, and helplessness are common. The best thing you can do to help a rape victim is to offer support and understanding, letting the person know that they are not alone and that it is not their fault.
The person may feel angry one moment and then feel an extreme and overwhelming sense of loss the next. Be patient with him or her. Many times, a rape victim benefits greatly from talking to a psychologist or therapist who specializes in working with people in similar circumstances. You can help by helping the person locate a qualified professional in their area.
Feelings of dread can overwhelm and cripple a rape victim emotionally. You may have trouble returning to normal daily activities after an attack. Sometimes, self-defense classes are helpful, especially if the individual feels helpless or is worried about a recurrence of an attack.
In addition to the emotional turmoil a rape victim may experience, there are also physical repercussions. Following a violent attack, the individual may suffer pain, bruising and, potentially, broken bones. There is also a risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or even becoming pregnant, so prompt medical attention is imperative.
Do your best to encourage a physical exam as soon as possible after the attack. Not only will medical professionals treat symptoms and run diagnostic tests, but they may also be able to retrieve forensic evidence that can help law enforcement personnel prosecute the abuser. This is done with the help of a rape kit, which collects evidence such as hair, blood and semen from the victim and her clothes. The use of a rape kit is most effective when the exam is done immediately after an attack and before bathing, to avoid washing away physical evidence.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
