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Koren Ganas, Gwendolyn Sampson, Catherine Cozzi, Terrence Stewart
The InTouch Hotline, University of Illinois at Chicago
1200 W. Harrison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60607
312-996-3490
The suffering and trauma a survivor of sexual violence endures does not end at the conclusion of the attack. Rape survivors frequently run into negative reactions from those they seek help from. Moreover, societal views of rape survivors are largely negative. Our program acquaints audience members with an overview of four types of sexual violence, including: stranger, workplace, date/acquaintance, and male rape. Although not all-encompassing, the role-played stories of these four types of rape give audience members a point of reference for discussion of negative reactions towards victims. Statistics that are specific to these four types of rape will also be presented.
Social perceptions of victims differ depending on arbitrary factors such as type of rape, time of day, and what the victim was wearing at the time of attack. Unfortunately, the systems that survivors of sexual violence turn to after their attack also hold these perceptions. As a result, survivors must endure another victimization, this time from the very place from which they sought assistance. This has been termed 'secondary victimization', and occurs frequently in legal, medical, and social service systems. Through discussion of social psychological theories, our program addresses why and how survivors are blamed for the crime committed against them.
Rape myths are a large part of why negative reactions to victims occur. The belief that an individual that has been raped really wanted to be is perhaps the most permeating in our society. The thought that women 'cry' rape to gain revenge is another popular myth. These myths provide comfort in our societal structure. Rape myths help place the focus of sexual violence on the victim rather than the perpetrator. This helps one feel that rape could never happen to her or him, as they would not make the same 'mistakes' that the victim made. This is easier to believe than the reality of knowing that rape could happen to anyone. Through an interactive exercise addressing rape myth acceptance, audience members will gain a fuller understanding of rape myths, as well as their own beliefs about rape.
The conclusion of the program entails an open discussion of the topics presented. The audience is encouraged to present ideas that will aid in dispelling rape myths in service providers, as well as throughout society.
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