Rape

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Post-traumatic stress disorder

TREATMENT

In many cities, rape cases are referred to specific emergency rooms. This allows for more specialized care for the unique needs of the person who was raped, and assures proper procedures are followed to maintain the "chain of evidence" necessary for a case that may go to trial.

Such sexual assault treatment centers may also employ, or have available on-call, a team that is specialized in assessing and dealing with the emotional, physical, and legal issues a person who was raped faces. Most state laws require that the person be evaluated in the emergency room prior to the rape being officially reported.

It is recommended that a person go to the hospital immediately after the rape occurs, without changing clothes, showering, douching, or urinating. Such activities may alter or destroy evidence helpful in identifying and prosecuting the rapist.

Treatment focuses on providing enough emotional support while attempting to collect enough objective evidence to verify the person's complaint of rape. If the person who was raped has a support person she wants present, the treatment team should try to make that possible; otherwise someone (such as a nurse) should be "assigned" to stay with the person throughout the interviews and examination.

Someone who was attacked should not be left alone unless she wishes to be. She should be offered the choice of being interviewed in street clothes rather than in a patient gown.

The examination and collection of specimens should be fully explained beforehand, and whenever possible, the person should be given choices in an attempt to give her back a sense of control. Maintaining a supportive environment, free from any judgmental statements, may encourage a person who has been attacked to express whatever feelings arise.

Treatment includes addressing any potential for pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, offering information relevant to those possibilities, and providing care for the immediate physical and emotional trauma incurred, as well as planning follow-up care.