Rape trauma syndrome
Psychological trauma syndrome first described in 1974.
Rape trauma syndrome (RTS) refers to the psychological trauma a survivor of rape endures, marked by disruptions in typical physical, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal functioning. The concept was first introduced in 1974 by nurse Ann Wolbert Burgess and sociologist Lynda Lytle Holmstrom. RTS encompasses a set of psychological and physical signs, symptoms, and reactions that are common among most rape victims right after an assault, though these can persist for months or even years. Although much of the research on RTS has centered on female victims, males who have been sexually abused—whether by male or female perpetrators—also display RTS symptoms. This syndrome helped lay the groundwork for recognizing complex post-traumatic stress disorder, which can better capture the effects of prolonged trauma than post-traumatic stress disorder alone. The symptoms of RTS and post-traumatic stress disorder overlap. As one would expect, a rape victim typically experiences intense distress immediately after the event. For some, these feelings may lessen over time; however, each syndrome can individually have long-lasting, devastating effects, and some victims continue to face psychological distress for months or years. Rape survivors are at a heightened risk for developing substance use disorders, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
RTS outlines three stages of psychological trauma that a rape survivor goes through: the acute stage, the outward adjustment stage, and the renormalization stage.
The acute stage occurs in the days or weeks following a rape. How long a victim stays in this stage varies. Immediate symptoms may last from a few days to a few weeks and can overlap with the outward adjustment stage. According to Scarse, there is no single "typical" response among rape victims. However, the U.S. Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) states that, in most cases, a victim's acute stage falls into one of three response types: expressed (the person may appear agitated or hysterical, with crying spells or anxiety attacks); controlled (the survivor seems emotionless and acts as if nothing happened, insisting everything is fine); or shock/disbelief (the survivor reacts with strong disorientation, struggling to concentrate, make decisions, or handle everyday tasks, and may have poor recall of the assault). Not
- field
- Psychology, nursing, sociology
- known_for
- Describing the psychological trauma experienced by rape survivors
- first_described_by
- Ann Wolbert Burgess and Lynda Lytle Holmstrom
- year_first_described
- 1974
Lore & Background
Rape trauma syndrome identifies three stages of psychological trauma a rape survivor goes through: the acute stage, the outer adjustment stage, and the renormalization stage. The acute stage occurs in the days or weeks after a rape, with durations varying. According to the U.S. Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), a rape victim's acute stage can be classified as one of three responses: expressed, controlled, or shock/disbelief. Behaviors in this stage can include diminished alertness, numbness, vomiting, nausea, paralyzing anxiety, and an obsession to wash or clean themselves.
Reader's Guide
Rape trauma syndrome paved the way for consideration of complex post-traumatic stress disorder, which can more accurately describe the consequences of protracted trauma than post-traumatic stress disorder alone. The symptoms of RTS and post-traumatic stress syndrome overlap. Rape survivors are at high risk for developing substance use disorders, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. While most research into RTS has focused on female victims, sexually abused males also exhibit RTS symptoms. The syndrome remains a foundational concept in understanding the psychological aftermath of sexual assault.
Did You Know?
- RTS was first described by nurse Ann Wolbert Burgess and sociologist Lynda Lytle Holmstrom in 1974.
- RTS identifies three stages: acute stage, outer adjustment stage, and renormalization stage.
- Rape survivors are at high risk for developing substance use disorders, major depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- Sexually abused males also exhibit RTS symptoms.
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