rape counseling, counseling by a trained person provided to a victim of rape. Rape counseling ideally begins at the time the crime is first reported, as in an emergency department. Initially the counselor offers sensitive support for the victim by accepting the victim in a nonprejudicial, noncritical way. The victim’s response to the trauma of the assault is empathetically elicited, and three basic statements are made: the counselor is sorry that the rape happened, is glad that the injuries are not worse, and does not think that the victim was wrong or did anything wrong. Counseling personnel may provide supportive services and advocacy and liaison between the victim and medical, legal, and law enforcement authorities. This involves staying with the victim during medical examination, during police or district attorney’s questioning, and throughout the criminal justice process.
