Abstract
D. Litt et Phil
The purpose of this study is to obtain a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of
rape as it is subjectively experienced by the rape victim. Much is known about the traumatic
impact that rape has on victims, and yet there is little written about how the victim
experiences her reaction to rape. Keeping in mind the prevalence of sexual violence within
the South African context, it is important for mental health practitioners to have a sufficient
understanding of how victims tend to react to being raped. This understanding should direct
therapeutic interventions and contribute to knowledge used in policy making decisions
regarding preventative programs for young women in South Africa.
The study begins with a detailed and critical look at the international body of knowledge
which describes the traumatic nature as well as the various psychological impacts of rape.
Although rape is undoubtedly a traumatic incident, not all rape victims will experience their
rape as primarily traumatic and as a result are not likely to display post traumatic stress
symptoms. However, there is the possibility that most rape victims will experience various
psychological reactions, such as fear, anxiety, anger, guilt, shame and depression. Rape can
also impact the victim socially, causing disruptions in the victim’s interpersonal, sexual, and
social or work life.
The study endeavors to recognize the journey which most rape victims go through; that
being the journey from being a victim to being a survivor. This journey is captured in their
recovery process. For most rape victims, recovery from rape is a process which occurs over
time and is seen to be influenced by various factors on an intrapersonal, interpersonal and
social level. These factors include aspects such as the victim’s demographics, how they
make meaning, the nature of the assault, relationship with the perpetrator, previous life
experiences and social support.
In order to gain the understanding of rape experiences sought, the study engaged a
phenomenological framework and explored the lived experiences of four South African rape
victims. The participants were South African women who had, by their own definition been
raped. Through open ended interviews, the four rape victims explored their reactions to their
rape and reflected on the experiences relating to how the rape impacted on them
psychologically. In order to deepen the data obtained in the interviews, the participants were
are also asked to complete the Attributional Style Questionnaire, as previously considered
literature reflected on attributional style as a possible influencing factor in recovery.