Mental Health

The class period today was certainly a very interesting one.  As a class, we spoke a lot about what rape causes a victim to go through mentally.  Obviously experiencing such a trauma as rape would be an extremely horrific experience.  In fact, so traumatizing that it would cause long lasting effects after the experience was over.  Most people would only relate Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD to war veterans, but as we discussed in class, victims of rape can also possibly experience it.

During class we learned that there is research that shows PTSD is something that rape victims deal with for years to come.  The US Department of Veterans Affairs Department has a page devoted to PTSD (http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/women/sexual-assault-females.asp) and other long-term effects that a rape victim may suffer from.  The website defines PTSD as, "a pattern of symptoms that some individuals develop after experiencing a traumatic event such as sexual assault. Symptoms of PTSD include repeated thoughts of the assault; memories and nightmares; avoidance of thoughts, feelings, and situations related to the assault; negative changes in thought and feelings; and increased arousal (for example difficulty sleeping and concentrating, jumpiness, irritability)."   This makes complete sense due to the traumatization that a rape victim has gone through.  Not only does the victim have to experience a sexual assault or a rape, they have to go through the process of reliving terrifying memories on a day-to-day bases. 

As we have briefly discussed in class, the US Department of Veterans Affairs explains that victims of rape also experience depression, anger, shame/guilt, social problems, sexual problems, and alcohol/drug abuse.  The fact that these victims have to deal with these emotions and problems for years and possibly the rest of their lives makes me feel terrible.  The rapists who perform these heinous acts must be held accountable and punished for their actions, but often times they are let off due to their class or position within society.  For instance, in recent news Brock Turner was released from prison after three months even though a prosecutor argued for a sentence of six years and a judge ruled that he serve six months.  An article on CNN news (http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/02/us/brock-turner-release-jail/) explains that, “The case drew national attention after the victim's wrenching impact statement went viral. The brevity of Turner's sentence triggered outrage against the judge and controversy over how the justice system treats sexual assault survivors.”  This outrage is something that the public should definitely be feeling.  The victim will have to live with all of the negative impacts that Turner has caused, while he is set free and allowed to live his life of freedom.  Rapists are dangerous and terrible individuals who should not be given the opportunity of being let off easily.  As we have collectively discussed in class, there are too many instances like this where justice is not served.