When the Subject Is Rape: How Men Can Identify, Understand, and Address the Many Consequences of Rape

Rape is, unfortunately, an all-too-common violent crime usually perpetrated against women. For victims, the process of sharing information about the assault with loves ones or reporting the crime to police can be harrowing, embarrassing, and painful. The emotional aftermath and the responses of others can greatly affect the way a rape survivor copes. Although there are trained counselors to help women through the process of recovery, the question remains: What role should the men in their lives play? Often the men who are closest to rape survivors-intimate partners, friends, and family members--are simply unprepared to offer the right assistance. The wrong word or action may trigger an unexpected response. The book When The Subject Is Rape, written by Dr. Alan McEvoy, is designed specifically for men to help them identify, understand, and respond appropriately in their role as allies in a woman's recovery from rape.

The book delves into the many aspects of rape. It looks at both the short- and long-term emotional impact it has on a woman, the legal procedures involved, and the strategies that will help her to recover. It discusses how one needs to communicate with and address the needs of the woman. It explains the best ways men can act to avoid unintentionally causing more pain. Even if this crime goes unreported, both the emotional consequences and the need for support throughout the recovery process is evident. This book also can provide guidelines to identify if a significant change in behavior may be due to such an undisclosed event.

Rape is not an easy subject to discuss. For women, sexual violence can be life altering. While the men in their lives may not be therapists, by understanding the trauma involved they can play an important part in the healing process. When The Subject Is Rape provides the information that can help men to create a climate of support for the empowerment of women who are on the path to recovery.