Rape challenges a woman's ability to maintain her defenses and thus
arouses feelings of guilt, anxiety, and inadequacy. Women's individual
responses are determined by life stage considerations as well as their
defensive structures: concerns about separation-individuation may be
aroused in the young woman; a divorced or separated woman may find her
credibility questioned; older women's fears of sexual inadequacy may be
compounded. In counseling, the victim's previous adjustment should be
assessed, she should be given support and reassurance, and specific
considerations related to her life circumstances should be acknowledged and
dealt with.Abstract Teaser