Exploring the impact of rape on women's occupations

Abstract

This qualitative study, with elements of co-operative enquiry and phenomenology, endeavoured to describe the impact of rape on the occupations of women who have been raped. Data were gathered from participants who were clients at Rape Crisis, Observatory, through 4 unstructured focus groups and analyses to explore changes in their occupations. What emerged was that the participants were all dissatisfied with their occupations. The overwhelming impact of symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on all their occupations was discussed. A dynamic between Person, Occupation and Environment impacted on the occupational engagement and avoidance by the participant. Recommendations for the rape survivors, service providers and family members were made.