The counseling of victims of sexual assault has taken a new turn with the introduction of a new 12-step program geared toward assisting in the recovery process. Annually, one in four female college students are raped, according to UB counseling services, and new methods of recovery are constantly being sought.
The 12-step Chicago-based program, called Rape Survivors Anonymous, has been a controversial issue for both rape survivors and those who counsel them. Constructed in the same format as the Alcoholics Anonymous recovery program, the program uses religious principles to guide recovery, according to an article published in an Oct. 14 USA Today article.
"12-step seems to be the benchmark for any quality program dealing with emotional or addiction problems. I don't know if that means that any program based on '12-steps' will work or not, but if it (does), so much the better," said Todd Rezsnyak, a junior political science major.
According to the USA Today article, the 12-step program is where "members share how they're working at the 12 steps, such as seeking forgiveness of others they have harmed by their behavior after the rape and relying on the care of God or a higher power after "admitting" they had become powerless."
The program began when two women, both rape survivors, began talking about their experiences. One of the program's steps includes making a list of people the rape survivor has hurt and seeking forgiveness from those people. Another step is taking a personal inventory, admitting wrongdoing and "humbly asking God to remove our shortcomings."
Ellen Christensen, director of Health Education and Human Services, said such programs could be of "great assistance in the healing process."
"The 12-Step Program offers support by others who have had similar experiences. It offers a structure through which to address issues and to bring resolution and closure so that survivors can move through life a little easier and with good support networks," she said.
When counseling a rape survivor, Christensen said it is most important to remove any blame a victim places on him or herself.
"First and foremost (it is important to) to let him or her know that it was not his/her fault, no matter what, to establish a sense of safety for him or her. To give him or her back a sense of control, assist him or her in making as many decisions for himself or herself as possible," said Christensen
According to Wehmah Jones, M.S., a pre-doctoral intern at the Richmond Counseling Center, located in the Ellicott Complex on North Campus, many survivors are reluctant to report incidents, especially in date rape cases.
"With a lot of date rape cases . there's a fear of pursuing charges, if it's someone they know. The fear of dealing with the trust and betrayal and blame because the victim may be thinking, 'Why didn't I see this person?'" he said.
This reluctance to report rape cases is created by a societal stigma, according to the USA Today article. The new 12-step program is a more comprehensive way for victims to cope with the emotional trauma from the incident through the spiritual basis on which the A.A. programs are centered.
"The problem with a 12-step program is that they tend to substitute a spiritual power with emotions. You cease to be motivated by your own desires and are motivated by someone else's. The 12-step program gives you superficial reasons to "get over it" instead of embracing your own tragedy," said Jonathan Katz, a sophomore media studies major.
Christensen, however, said the 12-step program could be a positively structured beginning.
"The purpose of a 12-step program for survivors is to provide a structure for survivors to work through issues and concerns and to create a safe support network. A rape victim can experience the entire gamut of human emotions from calm to hysteria and everything in between," said Christensen.
The task force, she said, provides students with an escort to prevent violent attacks and sexual assault. The organization also hosts educational programs for Erie County Residents and the UB community, aiming to prevent relationship violence and sexual assault through the sharing of helpful information.
"There is no one way that a victim responds. ARTF tries to present the range of emotions that a victim, his or her roommates, housemates, family and friends might experience. Rape and sexual assault affects not only the victim, but his or her relationships with everyone in his or her life," said Christensen.
UB and Erie County also offer other programs geared toward facilitating the emotional recovery of rape survivors. Although these programs differ from the 12-step program, they still have the same goal of assisting rape survivors to heal emotional wounds.
"We have individual counseling and information on our Web site about relationship violence and rape," said Jones.
Jones also noted that there are crisis services available and a 24-hour hotline, as well as a rape-advocate program. If rape victims are legally pursuing the case, a legal assistance program is offered.
According to the Advocate Program of Crisis Services Web site at http://rin.buffalo.edu/s_huma/huma/agen-c/cs_ap.html, the Erie County Advocate Program provides a coordinated response to a report of domestic violence, sexual assault, or elder abuse. The program's services include immediate crisis intervention, advocacy with police and medical personnel, safety planning, and continued crisis counseling and court advocacy, according to the Web site.
In terms of the individual counseling services offered, Jones said that rape survivors are reassured that the incident was not precipitated by anything that they had done.
"If people get the societal message, 'What were you wearing?' or 'What did you do?' One thing is reinforcing that it's not their fault," said Jones.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
