Assisting Rape Victims as They Recover From Rape

Abstract

Many rape survivors turn to their friends for support during recovery, but friends may have emotional reactions that seriously affect their ability to support rape survivors. This study examined the impact of sexual assault disclosure by surveying 60 friends of rape victims about their experiences helping survivors. Overall, these friends reacted positively; they did not blame the rape survivor, were not distressed, felt that their helping efforts were effective, and believed their friendship grew closer. But, this generally positive picture did not hold true for all participants. Results of canonical correlation analyses revealed three distinct patterns of helping experiences: (a) relatively positive experiences and positive changes in the relationship; (b) neutral experiences and no changes; and (c) negative accompanied by negative changes in the relationship. Based on these results, suggestions for expanding theoretical models of significant others' reactions and practical applications for assisting friends supporting rape survivors are discussed.