·        Past research has suggested a decrease in sexual satisfaction post rape, but had failed to incorporate an integrative perspective. It has only been recently suggested that the survivors entire intimacy level is also effected, including their primarily affectional state (such as kissing, cuddling, or handholding

·        Imagine the lack of satisfaction caused from a womans fear of men, a lack of trust, or sudden flashbacks of violence.  These are only a few examples of what a rape survivor experiences after an attack.

·        Because the recovery period varies from couple to couple [and person to person!] , it is important to understand the internal cause for decreased sexual satisfaction post rape.

·        Among many theories, the Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS) has been the most beneficial. The theory is a characterization of immediate physical and emotional responses often experienced after a rape, including an increase in fear, depression, and anxiety levels as well as disruptions in intimate relationships.

Types of dysfunctions and fears

·        Autoerotic - As a result of the physical violence experienced during a rape, the survivors experience many post rape autoerotic (sexual) dysfunctions and fears. Within these are arousal dysfunctions, vaginismus, dyspareunia, primary, secondary, and situational non-orgasmia, sexual unresponsiveness and premature ejaculation, and less frequent or intense orgasms. Overall, the survivors experience a fear of sex through mental association with the rape.

o       Because penetration represents both physical domination and psychological violation, its impact on the survivors recovery is the most significant.  Therefore, the severity of the survivors post rape symptoms is directly proportional to the violence of the rape and the survivors reactions during the rape. The greater the physical violence, the greater the psychological damage to the survivors, thus, producing a longer recovery period.

·        Primarily affectional -  It has only been recently suggested that rape effects all levels of couples intimate relationships, therefore research available is limited. Miller concluded rape survivors experience sex void of tenderness and affection after their attack due to their psychological state. However, Feldman-Summers et al. suggested the survivors primarily affectional state is seldom affected because most rapist do not engage in kissing and cuddling and so on. Therefore, they concluded, though the survivors occurrence of French kissing, cuddling, and hugging decreased at the one week to two-month post rape period, it was not significant enough to elaborate on. 

o       Researchers identified three characteristics in which rape survivors differed from a control group of non-raped women: less confidence in others dependability, less comfort with closeness (hugging, cuddling, or handholding), and an increased fear of abandonment. Overall, they concluded rape survivors experience an increased discomfort in close relationships, whether physical or emotional, thus inhibiting their sexual functioning post rape.

• Psychological - The most detrimental dysfunction post rape is the survivors psychological state of fear. Research has suggested an increase in fear of intimacy, abandonment, and difficulties in commitment including communication, understanding problems, and emotional support.  Along with fear, survivors experience an increase in depression and anxiety in a wide range of situations. Sales (1984) found the survivors symptoms subsided after six months following the rape but were reactivated later on, while their behavior pattern (initially withdrawn) returned to their pre-rape level of functioning. They concluded the recovery process for rape survivors is lengthy due to the reactivation of their initial symptoms.

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• Victim impact - Rape is the ultimate physical and psychological violation women experience. Not only must they cope with the events of the attack, they must cope with the subsequent symptoms, namely fear. Cwik (1996) stated the most salient symptoms post rape are terror, fear of being killed, a loss of control, and a sense of personal violation. In addition, he found that the survivors perceptions of themselves were lowest after the rape, while blaming themselves for the rape was the leading cause for their self-esteem reduction.

• Researchers found that rape survivors experienced continual negative reactions to their rape years after it occurred. Increased caution around crowds, less frequency in hugging and kissing men, nervousness in day to day situations (telephone ringing or knocking of a door), and reactivation of the symptoms experienced immediately after their attack  through nightmares and flashbacks were the most common reactions found. Along with a decrease in trust and security, the survivors experience an increased feeling of vulnerability, which was found to be directly linked to the rape.

• Though there is a wide range of issues that should be examined through counseling post rape, the survivors cognitive state is the most important. Becker et al. (1986) concluded because survivors often perceive sexual stimuli as anxiety provoking, they may mentally suppress those feelings completely.  

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Theoretical explanations

·        Classical Conditioning  - It is apparent the survivors cognitive state is effected more than their physiological respondence. The Classical Conditioning theory suggests the survivors perceive sexual stimuli as threatening and in response, they suppress the feelings altogether. The unconditioned stimulus, the rape, causes the survivors fear and anxiety. Thus, the sexual aspect of the rape becomes the conditioned stimulus, which evokes the negative reaction of fear and anxiety to sexual situations, behaviors, and interactions. Therefore, the survivors avoid all sexual situations in order to avoid the negative reactions.  

o       The problem lies in the survivors state of mind. The recovery process is dependent on the survivors awareness of the conditioned stimulus in order to overcome the fear and anxiety. In most instances, the counselor must initiate the recovery process due to the survivors reluctance to speak of their learned sexual dysfunctions.

·        Rape Trauma Syndrome - The most common theory for sexual dysfunction post rape is the RTS (also known as the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Burgess et al. (1974) defined the RTS as a result of either forcible rape or attempted rape and divided it into an acute phase and a long-term reorganization phase.

Conclusion

·        Rush and Leon (1986) concluded rape is a life crisis of major proportions due to the wide range of symptoms experienced from immediately after the attack to years into the future.

·        Rape survivors experience three types of dysfunctions: autoerotic, primarily affectional, and psychological. Though each dysfunction presents a different physical and emotional obstacle, the psychological problems are the most detrimental to the survivors recovery.

·        Though the recovery time varies, it is very possible for survivors to re-establish their intimate relationships after an attack. The large quantity of research supporting this conclusion suggests that rape survivors can, and do, re-establish intimate relationships after an attack. Through counseling and the additional research, survivors can overcome their fears and become stronger. It is important for women to regain their mental strength in order to prevent future attacks by eliminating the societal view of women vulnerability.