Preventing the "second rape" - Rape survivors' experiences with community service providers

Although prevention efforts aimed at eliminating the occurrence of sexual a ssault are clearly needed, it is also important to consider how we can prev ent further trauma among those already victimized. Prior research suggests that rope survivors may experience victim-blaming treatment from system per sonnel (termed secondary victimization or the second rape). This research e xamined how postassault contact with community systems exacerbated rope vic tims' psychological and physical health distress. Findings revealed that th e majority of rape survivors who reported their assault to the legal or med ical system did not receive needed services. These difficulties with servic e delivery were associated with both perceived and objective measures of ne gative health outcomes. Contact with the mental health system, rape crisis centers, or religious communities was generally perceived by victims as ben eficial. This study suggests that the trauma of rape extends far beyond the assault itself as negative community responses can significantly elevate d istress.