In the 1994 Rwandan genocide, rape was widely used as a strategic weapon against Tutsi women. This study explored the long term psychological effects of rape experienced by these women in order to develop a middle range theory to guide the management of the lasting psychological effects of rape in the context of genocide. A Grounded Theory approach using Strauss and Corbin’s paradigm (Strauss and Corbin, 1990) was used. Data collection entailed in-depth interviews of twenty nine participants, twelve of whom were rape survivors, ten were women who had not been raped, and seven were men from their community. Open coding, axial coding and selective coding were used to analyse the data. The results have shown that women were negatively affected, physically, psychologically and socially, by the rape. Genocide Rape Trauma emerged as a concept that defines these outcomes. It includes unbearable memories, overwhelming feelings, sense of helplessness, somatic distress, negative self-image, altered intimate relationships and social isolation. The extreme brutality, the humiliation that accompanied the experience of rape and multiple losses were reported as risk factors for the lasting psychological effects of rape. These negative outcomes were maintained by poverty, poor physical health, the burden of raising the children born of rape, hostility and stigma from their community, and lack of appropriate support and effective health care services. Facilitating the management of Genocide Rape Trauma emerged as the core category of the middle range developed theory. Recovery from Genocide Rape Trauma required formal and informal support, including psychological and medical care, sensitivity in dealing with genocide rape survivors, and advocacy. Economic empowerment was a key element, while educating the community contributed to the social integration of rape survivors and their children born of rape into their community. Women had developed coping mechanisms of their own to attain psychological relief, and had organized themselves into support groups. This study contributed to clinical practice by providing a holistic approach to taking care of rape survivors. The inclusion of such theory in the curriculum of health care professionals should contribute to the understanding of the lasting impact of rape and how to handle it in an efficient manner. Key words: Rwanda, Genocide, women survivors, Genocide Rape Trauma, Management of the long term psychological effects of rape and Grounded theory. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 34-39).

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the existing procedures that investigators in South Africa follow in utilising the information contained in the victim statement in the investigation of rape, with the intention of determining the strengths and weaknesses of the procedures and of considering how these procedures can be improved. The researcher explored how investigators internationally use information contained in the victim statement in the successful investigation of rape and read extensively on the topic in international literature sources. The researcher also evaluated the current methods that investigators within the South African Police Service (SAPS) use. The researcher made use of an empirical research design because of the limited information available on the topic of the research, and a qualitative research approach, which enabled real-life observations. Simple random sampling was used to select 20 uniform members as well as 20 investigators of rape incidents for interviewing. Purposive sampling was used to select two public prosecutors attached to the Sexual Offences Court. Data were obtained from their real-life experiences through interviewing them and data were further collected through case studies of case dockets. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the attitudes and treatment knowledge of medical student professionals regarding rape victims. In addition to generating normative data for a population which, as a function of their vocation may come in contact with victims, comparisons were made between a sample of those beginning their medical education process and those at the end of training in order to measure change in treatment knowledge and attitudes towards rape victims which occur during medical school. Also investigated were differences which exist in the attitude and treatment knowledge measures for rape victims compared to other emergency room patient populations, and the effect of gender of the physician upon those measures. A final element investigated the physicians' perceptions of a "real" rape as it relates to those measures.

The present study presents three individual cases; all three clients had endured a traumatic event, namely rape, and all three met the criteria for PTSD. Despite the fact that each of the clients was initially assessed as being a suitable candidate for psychological treatment, none of the cases proceeded to the therapy phase of treatment. A number of obstacles, both personal and contextual, were encountered during treatment implementation, preventing or limiting a successful outcome of psychological treatment in each case. An examination of these cases highlights a few of the many obstacles frequently faced when delivering psychological treatment to the South African context. In so doing, this research provides an opportunity to consider the possible reasons for the limited documentation of treatment efficacy within the South African context, as well as to enhance our understanding of and sensitivity towards the cultural and contextual factors playing a role in psychological treatment.

Dissertation / The impact of stranger rape on the victim and those close to the victim is widely researched. However, little data is available on couples’ experiences of stranger rape and their relationships in the aftermath of such trauma. The researcher aimed to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the unique experiences and relationship dynamics of couples dealing with stranger rape in order to enhance what is known about these couples. A qualitative research methodology was employed which consisted of conducting unstructured in-depth interviews with each of the three participant couples as well as obtaining individual written reflections from each participant. The study explicated unique descriptions of each couple’s experience of stranger rape, illuminated the interconnectedness and recursiveness between the rape and the couples’ relational and system dynamics and identified possible systemic effects at play in these couples’ relationships in the aftermath of such trauma. Key terms: stranger rape, couples, post-traumatic stress disorder, relational dynamics, systems, family systems theory, qualitative research, hermeneutics, social constructionism, postmodernism / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

<p>Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust is an organisation that trains and supervises a team of women counsellors who provide a counselling service to women rape survivors. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of the counsellors and the counselling co-ordinator regarding their perceptions on whether the training provided by the personal growth and counselling skills course is adequate in dealing with rape and its complexities.</p>

The current study explored the relations among rape myths, attitudes toward rape victims, perceived social support, sex role, and social reactions in a male undergraduate sample (N = 205). Males who have provided support to a sexual assault victim were compared to those who have not provided support to a sexual assault victim on several measures. Social reactions of those who have provided support to a sexual assault victim were compared to hypothetical reactions provided by individuals who have not previously provided support. Results indicated that rape related attitudes and beliefs did not differ between those who have and have not provided support to a sexual assault victim. In addition, individuals who were responding to a hypothetical situation reported that they would provide more positive social support than individuals who were responding to an actual situation. Implications for clinical work and future research in this area are discussed.

Dissertation / The impact of stranger rape on the victim and those close to the victim is widely researched. However, little data is available on couples’ experiences of stranger rape and their relationships in the aftermath of such trauma. The researcher aimed to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the unique experiences and relationship dynamics of couples dealing with stranger rape in order to enhance what is known about these couples. A qualitative research methodology was employed which consisted of conducting unstructured in-depth interviews with each of the three participant couples as well as obtaining individual written reflections from each participant. The study explicated unique descriptions of each couple’s experience of stranger rape, illuminated the interconnectedness and recursiveness between the rape and the couples’ relational and system dynamics and identified possible systemic effects at play in these couples’ relationships in the aftermath of such trauma. Key terms: stranger rape, couples, post-traumatic stress disorder, relational dynamics, systems, family systems theory, qualitative research, hermeneutics, social constructionism, postmodernism / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Women have recurrently faced the adaptive problem of rape over evolutionary history. Little research has investigated the potential evolved psychological mechanisms for rape avoidance that women may possess. Here I review evolutionary perspectives on rape avoidance. I follow this review with the results of two studies conducted to design a measure of women's rape avoidance, known as the Rape Avoidance Inventory (RAI). Study 1A included 99 women who self-reported acts they do or might do specifically to avoid being raped. Study 1B included 144 women who filled out a preliminary inventory of rape avoidance behaviors. I used their responses to construct the RAI. In Study 3, I develop and test a number of hypotheses derived from evolutionary psychological theory, using data derived from the sample of women in Study 1B. I conclude by discussing limitations and possible future directions for rape avoidance research. / by William F. McKibbin. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.