Random i found this, i was just looking at the phycological effects of rape in preperation for case study type things at college (was suggested on the course) however, i found this as a sub topic on wiki.
Quote:
Self blame
Self blame is among the most common of both short- and long-term effects.
Self blame is an avoidance coping skill which inhibits the healing process. It is primarily caused by illogical thinking (known as counterfactual thinking), which can be remedied by a therapeutic technique known as cognitive restructuring.
There are two main types of self blame: behavioral self blame (undeserved blame based on actions) and characterological self blame (undeserved blame based on character). Victims who experience behavioral self blame feel that they should have done something differently, and therefore feel at fault. Victims who experience characterological self blame feel there is something inherently wrong with them which has caused them to deserve to be assaulted.
A leading researcher on shame, Tangney[who?], lists five ways shame can be destructive:
lack of motivation to seek care;
lack of empathy;
cutting themselves off from other people;
anger;
aggression.
Tangney says shame has a special link to anger. "In day-to-day life, when people are shamed and angry they tend to be motivated to get back at a person and get revenge."
In addition shame is connected to psychological problems - such as eating disorders, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders as well as problematic moral behavior. In one study over several years shame-prone kids were prone to substance abuse, earlier sexual activity, less safe sexual activity, and involvement with the criminal justice system.[15]
Behavioral self blame is associated with feelings of guilt within the victim. While the belief that one had control during the assault (past control) is associated with greater psychological distress, the belief that one has more control during the recovery process (present control) is associated with less distress, less withdrawal, and more cognitive reprocessing.
It isnt 100% relevent, because it is to do with rape and this isnt (where the artical mentions assult, change it to event). However, it could still have the same phycological effect on the girl IF she regreats it in years to come.
/madals
CHAT
