What are normal immediate reactions to rape?

Sorry, I know this is a very forward question, but I do work in Africa, primarily with children, and I am writing a paper on rape and rape victims, but more importantly, I am starting to suspect one of our kids was recently raped, but I am not sure what the immediate reactions are. Thanks all,


(and sorry for being serious for once)


love always,


Platy|||Hi,





a noticable change inbehaviour, increase in fears, not wanting to go certain places, near certain people, perhaps crying, notiable physical brusing or that the child is in pain, wetting themselves, being nervous, being quiet, talking about secrets, talk of a sexual nature or sexual gestures...there are a lot of things that you may notice and at the same time a child could have been abused and you would never know as they don't show obvious signs. You may have to montor the situation before doing anything but if you suspect abuse or rape then perhaps ask the child but do so in a safe inevironment and let them know that its ok to tell and be calm if they do tell you anything, remember your reactions are so important if a child trusts you enough to disclose that type of information !





hope that helps in some way


x|||Immediate reactions are closing yourself off to everyone emotionally. You lock all the pain, rage and disgust inside. You definitely notice the change.|||Shock .... a sense that you have been violated .... panic .... probably some physical pain .... disbelief .... perhaps even guilt or shame|||That's a tough one.........everyone reacts differently. Some shut themselves off completely to the outside world while others lash out at every one and every thing.


Distancing them from the gender that did it and clinging to the one that didn't.


They may feel ashamed and dirty. Common in rape victims, sometimes they blame themselves, we all know they shouldn't but they do.


I could go on......but I think you'll get the idea.


So sorry to hear about this...............|||Hmmm, that is a hard one. Watch the child for reactions to other people. They may become introverted. Crawl into a shell. Or they may do the exact opposite. Each case is different and hard to tell sometimes. Just watch for signs of anything highly unusual in their manner. If the child trusts you or one of your colleges maybe the one that is trusted should sit the child down and talk to them about it. A child shouldn't have to carry something like this by themselves. They will need someone to talk to. I'm so sorry to hear about this Platy. We live in a filthy world where some people think they can get away with anything. I'm very against children being hurt in any way, shape or form. I wish you the best of luck and hope this problem gets resolved quickly. please for the sake of the child have someone talk to them. %26gt;:D%26lt;