The differences in the psychological impact of trauma between female rape and non-sexual assault survivors
International research suggests that rape impacts more negatively on the mental health of rape survivors than non-sexual assault. For both groups the post trauma response has mainly been accounted for by Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Findings from empirical studies are unequivocal that rape survivors are more likely to develop PTSD. Additionally, a rich body of feminist qualitative research has also been generated, which points to a specific post trauma response to rape. In contrast to an abundance of international studies on rape and nonsexual assault, the psychological impact of these traumas on women in South Africa is underresearched. The purpose of the current study was thus to contribute to this gap, and prospectively explored whether the impact of trauma differs between female survivors of rape and non-sexual assault in South Africa.
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