Pratision of effective Rape Counseling
Rape counseling is an extended process of supporting the she comes to terms with her assault and rape survivor nstances counselors who mpact on work with women who have been raped are nurses with additional education, but other health professionals also provide this counseling. (In this section the terms "counSelor" and "nurse" are used interchangeably.)
Initially, the counselor and survivor explore the survivor's feelings and establish rapport. Feelings that have been denied and suppressed are brought into the woman awareness. She should be encouraged to express those feelings openly, identify their source, and under stand that they belong to her. Acceptance of the woman and respect for her are essential. The woman must feel that she can come to the nurse in a safe, stable, nonjudgmental environment to express her feelings fully and get in touch with them. Having identified her feelings, the survivor and the nurse go on to clarify them and understand their source. Understanding the reasons for her feelings enables the woman to decide on actions that will resolve her prob lems, The nurse can assist her in understanding the larger context of the rape. It is important for the nurse to avoid reinforcing the prevalent myth that rape is the survivor's "fault." Rather, the nurse can use questions and discussion to encourage the woman to conclude that the blame with the rapist. Similarly, the nurse assists the individual in formulating strategies for returning to her prerape level of functioning In the final phase of counseling the survivor makes ecific plans for overcoming her problems and tests them with the nurse's support. With the nurse, the woman explores her thoughts and feelings about selfcare, celebrates her victories, and evaluates her defeats. It is important to emphasize that the loss of control that occurred during the rape was temporary and that the woman does have control over other aspects of her life