Speaking with rape survivors : an analysis of the stories women share

De Swardt, Catherine

Speaking with rape survivors : an analysis of the stories women share

Master Thesis

2006

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Psychology

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Abstract

Rape is an all too familiar phenomenon in South Africa. Yet, whereas there is a growingliterature in the west, which examines the everyday understandings of rape amongst women, inSouth Africa documented understanding of rape is largely contained within theoretical-sociological explanations for its high prevalence. This study aimed to explore the ways in which a group of rape survivors in the Western Cape, South Africa, make sense of rape and its impact on their lives. A secondary aim was to examine whether Western trauma classifications provide a useful framework for understanding the impact of rape in this context. The study formed the qualitative component of a larger quantitative study focused on women's adherence to anti-retroviral medication post rape (The Post Exposure Prophylaxis Study). The research question was approached from a feminist social constructionist perspective, using qualitative methodology. In depth interviews with ten rape survivors were carried out, six months postrape.

Description

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-117).

Keywords

Clinical Psychology

Reference:

Collections

Masters

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