Rape crisis intervention in the emergency room: a new challenge for social work

The emerging role of the social worker in the context of rape crisis programs housed in hospital emergency rooms is examined. A brief review of the psychological impact of rape on its victims is offered as a background for delineating this role. The emergency room setting is analyzed in terms of the advantages and disadvantages it presents for this type of crisis intervention. Significant issues of care for the social worker in this setting are discussed, and an outline of tasks for this role is proposed.