Rape trauma syndrome as circumstantial evidence of rape

One of the more perplexing problems in the prosecution of a rape case is the corroboration of a rape victim's testimony when the defendant and the victim have just met casually and the rape itself was not forcible. The defendant usually admits the intercourse but defends by saying that the victim consented to a casual act of sex. Juries are understandably reluctant to convict under such circumstances without some corroboration of the rape, i.e., the lack of consent. The recent recognition of the rape trauma syndrome as a diagnostic condition not only may be a therapeutic breakthrough, but also may provide the necessary corroboration. The rape trauma syndrome identifies and isolates psychological symptoms of a sudden traumatic incident such as a rape.