The nurse is counseling a rape victim on her choices in pursuing legal action. The nurse will explain to the patient that: Note: Credit will be given only if all correct and no incorrect choices are selected. Select all that apply

Question

1. Prosecution proceedures are described as a second rape.
2. The prosecution will victimize her in court during testimony.
3. Publicity can intensify her feelings of humiliation.
4. Prosecution of the assailant is a community responsibility.
5. The patient's sexual history will be publicized.

Answer 1

1,3,4
Rationale 1: Many sexual assault survivors who have gone through the judicial process refer to it as a second rape–and sometimes a more damaging one.
Rationale 2: The defendant's attorney might try to discredit her testimony, causing a second victimization.
Rationale 3: Publicity can intensify her feelings of humiliation.
Rationale 4: Prosecution of the assailant is a community responsibility in which the prosecuting attorney will act on the victim's behalf.
Rationale 5: Rape shield laws are quite common, and nearly every state prohibits the publicizing of a victim's sexual history.