Case Study on Rape Victims
Introduction
Concerning philosophies of morality, rape is no doubt abhorred. However, what is debatable is whether or not it is one’s duty to ensure that a rape is reported. In a particular case, one hotline operator finds herself in a dilemma that challenges her duties as a licensed social worker, with the obligation of ensuring that victims report their rape. As a part of the twenty-four-hour hotline staff at a local rape crisis center, the duty of the hotline operator is to provide the support and counseling necessary to protect the victim’s identity. As a part of the advocacy services the hotline provides, the crisis center is dedicated to aiding victims both in reporting their crimes, and in the process such an action entails. Some people call the crisis center with the intention of reporting their rapes because they feel empowered to do so. Other callers do not wish to report their rapes for personal reasons, and still other individuals are undecided as to a proper course of action. Phone operators are responsible for taking calls for the crisis center’s advocacy program, and they must also take into account the purpose of the center’s companion program. The companion program empowers the social worker answering emergency calls to obtain an understanding of the difficulties victims encounter in the process of reporting their rapes. Thus, the social worker must face the fact that women who have suffered as a result of their rape have a right to be notified of the potential traumas involved in reporting the crime. A lot of times rape victims are unprepared for the insensitive and harsh treatment they may receive from the police, hospitals, and legal system. If the hotline operator warns her of such difficulties, chances are the victim will be discouraged to report the crime. On the other hand, encouragement to report may not be in the best interest of the victim, particularly if she is too physically and emotionally weak to bear the processes because of the trauma already endured from the rape (Rothman 205-208).
Statement of Moral Dilemmas
The two sides of this situation present general ethical conflicts of interest. That is, should the hotline operator value her professional commitment, as a social worker, to justice more than her obligation the client’s best interest? Furthermore, this case poses the important und...
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...ve the individual needs of the victim that the system often overlooks. With any luck, even the most radical of feminists can understand that there are options independent of the legal system that can support women, without barriers, and without having to rely on the anecdotal word of mouth interaction. Therefore, everyone should do all that they can, as soon as possible, to ensure that such violent sex crimes dwindle. Since society and the system cannot change overnight, we must continually work towards full equality. At the same time, people such as victims of rape and their respective counselors should do their best to ensure that those criminals blocking sexual equality are brought to justice in the system they seek to change.
Work Cited
BOOKS:
Frye, Marliyn. From The Politics of Reality. “Oppression.” Ca: The Crossing Press. 1983.
Rachels, James. The Right Thing to Do. NY, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. 2003.
Rothman, Juliet Cassuto. From the Front Lines. Ma: Allyn and Bacon. 1998.
WEBSITES:
www.americancivilrightsreview.com. Contacted December 1, 2004.
www.eserver.com. Contacted December 1, 2004.
www.paralumun.com. Contacted December 1, 2004.
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Feminist Criminology, 7(2), 146-162. Kinder-Matthews, J. & Co., Ltd. (1994) The 'Standard' of the 'St Working with female sexual abusers. (pp. 57-67). The 'Secondary' of the Miccio & Fonseca, L.C. a.
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According to the article, “Force: upsetting rape culture”, the first rape myth is stranger rape. “The Stranger Rape Myth is the idea that most rape i...
It is very troubling to hear that 1 in 5 women in University will be victims of sexual assault, and even more so that less than 60% of cases get reported. The purpose of my paper is to put emphasis on how important it is that more people be informed about rape culture, but to also explain how men are just as important in working towards prevention as are women.
In late March of 2005, emails and text messages began to spread of a very serious and new crime tactic used by rapists. There were many variations to the content of the emails and text messages, but the overall message was the same. Apparently, a woman upon leaving her place of work came upon a crying child on the road. When she asked the child what happened, the child replied, “I am lost. Can you take me home please?” Non-suspecting of any foul play she took the child to the address. The woman awoke the next day in an empty house, naked covered in semen with many condoms thrown around the room. What is worse is that she had no recollection of what had occurred the night before. (“Example 2.” Rapist Luring Victims with Crying Baby).
She mentions how the victims choose to keep quiet about the incident, since they fear their attacker will harm them for reporting the incident. Adefolalu mentions, "Victims who feared reprisal attacks from perpetrators were five times more likely to delay presentation than those who were not. " My hypothesis is fear of their assault prevents an individual from reporting a sexual assault committed towards them. My null hypothesis is fear does not affect if an individual reports a sexual assault. My independent variable is fear of assault and my dependent variable is unreported sexual assault.
Sexual assault is an offense that plagues many U.S. citizens. Although some studies show that rape is on the decline, other studies report that the phenomena actually occuring is that less rape victims are reporting the crime. In fact, approximately 68% of sexual assaults go unreported to the police according to the U.S. Department of Justice in a National Crime Victimization Survey from 2008-2012. It is common knowledge that rape victims are usually severely traumatized after the event, which leaves them susceptible to various emotions such as shame, anxiety, numbness, fear, denial, and guilt. Because of this, many rape victims decide to repress their experience and let it go unheard. However, not only does this prevent them from healing emotionally,
...apidly our world today. There are hundreds of places people may go and visit for help or more information about rape and sexual violence. It is very important that when and if it happens, the victim needs to report the crime to authorities immediately. People must know the truth about rape and sexual violence and what to do about it.
The social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43). In addition, ethical decision-making is a process that
I am a 19-year-old girl, far too old to think I know everything. I don’t pretend to be an expert on rape. Having known the feel of a cold blade pressed to my side gave me no superior understanding of the crime, only a small scar to remember it by. Thus I offer you no solution. I cannot say with any conviction that my writing will help to save even one person from being subjected to a similar fate. Before you’ve read to the bottom of this page three more girls will be sexually assaulted, one girl will be raped. Neither the eloquence of my words, nor the fervor of my voice will have changed a thing.