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The MAC (Maverick Activities Center)
Room 101R
Arlington TX 76019
Phone:
817-272-0260 | Email:
rvsp@uta.edu
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"Recovery Model" for Victim Management
The
"Recovery Model" is designed for professionals who work with
victims of sexual assault immediately following the attack (i.e. law
enforcement, medical personnel, faculty/staff). The following are only
guidelines but should make this interaction smoother and less traumatic for
all individuals involved. Although the feminine pronoun is used, it is
essential to realize that the victim can also be male.
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R
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Reassure
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Reassure the victims that she did nothing wrong and that you
believe here. Tell her that she is safe and that you are there for her.
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E
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Educate
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Victims desire as much information as you can provide. Tell her what is going to happen next and why things are done
in a certain manner.
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C
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Choices
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Provide choices for the victim. These can be small choices
such as whether she would like a glass of water, or they may be more
significant decisions, such as who she wants to tell about the rape.
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O
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Objective
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Remain objective about the individual. You will see victims
whose lifestyle you disagree with (prostitutes, drug addicts, etc), and you
will see victims you simply don't like. It is important to remember that no
one deserves to be assaulted, regardless of the choices she has made.
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V
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Voice and Body Language
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Maintain a clam, quiet tone of your voice. Position yourself
in relation to the victim to give as much power as possible. For example,
if she is sitting, sit down beside her. Be cautious about touching the
victim. Tell her if it is necessary to touch her (i.e. the medical exam)
and explain what you are doing. If you sense that she needs a reassuring
touch, simply ask her.
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E
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Eye Contact
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Maintain eye contact with the victim. Eye contact will
reassure the victim that you are willing to discuss the subject, and that
you are not embarrassed about the situation.
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R
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Resources
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Provide the victim with as many follow up resources as necessary.
Be sure that these are written down because she is probably in a state of
shock and may not remember them.
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Y
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Yourself
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It is critical that professionals who work with sexual assault
victims take care of themselves. From time to time a particular case will
impact you more than others. Following such an event, take time to process
your reaction and determine what you need.
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