Rape Victims Group Concerned About Airports Pat-Downs

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Those who work with victims of sexual assault are voicing their concerns over the recent changes in TSA screening. They believe the required full body scanners or pat-downs may reawaken the fears of those who have suffered the most brutal of assaults.

Executive Director of Women Organized Against Rape in Philadelphia Carol Johnson says, "Many rape victims go through post traumatic stress disorder, so going through this again they are actually reliving the trauma and all they went through in the first place. I do understand that men are patting down men and women are patting down  women, but we have to realize that their assailant or perpetrator when they were assaulted was not necessarily the opposite sex."

Johnson says victims should talk with someone before going through security. She says you can always call their hotline 215-985-3333, which operates 24/7.

She hopes to work with the TSA in the future to help train their staff and offer solutions when a victim becomes upset during screening.

Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio.