"Trauma of rape" discourse: a double-edged template for everyday understandings of the impact of rape?

We map a discourse of the trauma of rape that was widely drawn upon by 29 "lay" New Zealand women and men in focus group discussions about the impact of rape. Using a discursive approach, we identify the key interlocking elements of this discourse. It centers on the contention that rape is traumatic, and depicts this trauma as unique, severe, long lasting, and in need of healing. We discuss the ways in which this ostensibly more enlightened and sensitive framework of meaning brings forth its own ways of potentially othering, stigmatizing, violating, and obstructing avenues of support and understanding for women who have experienced rape.