Silent Suffering: Understanding Post- Traumatic Consequences Among Rape Victims

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Akshaya S, Tamilnadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University

ABSTRACT

Rape is one of the most traumatic forms of violence, leaving survivors with lifelong psychological and social consequences. While laws focus on punishing offenders, the silent suffering endured by victims in the aftermath remains largely invisible. This paper examines the post-traumatic consequences experienced by rape survivors through a victimological lens. It explores the emotional, psychological, and social wounds that emerge after the assault, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS), fear, shame, self-blame, depression, and social withdrawal. The study further highlights how cultural expectations, stigma, lack of support, and insensitive institutional responses intensify the survivor’s trauma. Drawing on literature, counselling experiences, real case examples, and legal developments, the paper argues that true justice cannot be measured solely by conviction rates but by the survivor’s ability to heal, regain dignity, and reintegrate into society. The findings emphasize the urgent need for trauma-informed policing, counselling, victim-centric procedures, and a supportive socio-legal environment that recognizes and addresses the silent suffering of rape victims.

Keywords: Rape trauma, Victimology, PTSD, Stigma, Secondary victimization, Survivor Rehabilitation.

SILENT SUFFERING- UNDERSTANDING POST-TRAUMATIC CONSEQUENCES AMONG RAPE VICTIMS.pdf

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