Appropriacy of counselling approaches in assisting rape victims: a case study

Abstract

As a caring and concerned community, we need to be proactive in ensuring that rape victims are assisted, precluded from feeling alienated and averted from taking drastic actions like committing suicide. Hence, this study investigated the suitability and appropriacy of counselling approaches implemented by teacher counsellor in assisting students who are rape victims. The client was a mediocre student in terms of academic achievement, hails from a broken family whose parents are divorced and is from a low-income family whose father is a labourer. Although, the client was found to be naive, she did not have any disciplinary record. At the initial stage of the study, the mental and emotional state of the client were somewhat unstable as she was confused by what had happened, was depressed and unsure, felt degraded and was not ready to lodge a police report. Subsequent to the implementation of five counselling sessions, positive results were attained, whereby the client regained self-confidence, acquired insights into family relationships and attained support from her family and developed more effective behaviours. She also won her case in court.