Attitudes of African American adults toward treatment in cases of rape.

The attitudes of 155 African American adults toward the need for treatment in cases of rape were assessed. The relationship of these attitudes to sex, age, income, educational level, knowledge of the effects of rape, the influence of rape circumstances on attitudes, and expectations regarding interactions with treatment facilities and agencies were assessed. The results indicated that the ability to recognize rape in a variety of situations, perception of victim responsibility for the rape, and a knowledge of the short term reactions associated with rape had the greatest impact on respondents' attitudes toward seeking treatment. Participants generally endorsed the need for counselling following a rape and expressed positive attitudes regarding treatment outcomes.