Sexual violence, coping, and empowerment among Latina sexual assault survivors

Study Approach ◽

And Gender ◽

The Impact ◽

Latina Survivors ◽

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Rates of sexual violence are as high as approximately 1 in 3 (34.8%) for Latina women (Basile et al., 2015) and little information is known regarding coping strategies Latina survivors utilize post sexual assault. A qualitative case study approach was utilized to explore the relationships between sexual assault, coping, and resiliency and the impact these have on Latina survivors' sense of empowerment. The results of this study found that Latina women utilized adaptive coping skills that were significantly influenced by their culture as well as their ethnic and gender identity. Participants also developed a strong sense of empowerment by providing service to other survivors through multiple forms of advocacy and by finding meaning or a higher calling within their sexual assault experience. Participants also described empowerment as having emerged from identifying their recovery as a journey and through empathic views and feelings towards themselves and others. Overall, the results of this study showed that the intersection of culture, ethnicity, and gender permeated through all facets of their recovery and sense of empowerment. This study also provides implications for future research and practice in the psychological field with regard to working with and supporting Latina sexual assault survivors.

To Tell or Not to Tell: The Impact of Disclosure on Sexual Assault Survivors’ Recovery

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.25.5.631 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 631-648 ◽

Cited By ~ 64

Author(s):

Courtney E. Ahrens ◽

Janna Stansell ◽

Amy Jennings

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Medical Personnel ◽

Future Research ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Rape Acknowledgment ◽

The Impact ◽

Disclosure Patterns ◽

There is a growing body of research examining the disclosure of sexual assault. But the focus on time to first disclosure does not capture the whole picture. Survivors also differ in how long they continue to disclose, to whom they disclose, and the types of reactions received during disclosure. To provide a more comprehensive view of disclosure, this study sought to identify patterns of disclosure among a sample of 103 female sexual assault survivors recruited from the community. This study also sought to identify characteristics of each disclosure pattern, differences in how each disclosure pattern tends to unfold (e.g., who is told and how they react), and differences in how these disclosure patterns are related to physical and mental health outcomes. Results revealed four distinct disclosure patterns: nondisclosers, slow starters, crisis disclosers, and ongoing disclosers. Assault characteristics and rape acknowledgment distinguished nondisclosers and slow starters from the other two disclosure groups. Slow starters were also less likely to disclose to police and medical personnel and received negative reactions less frequently while nondisclosers experienced more symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress than other groups. Implications of these findings for future research and practice are discussed.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare service access for the victims of sexual assault

South African Family Practice ◽

10.4102/safp.v63i1.5367 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 63 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ramprakash Kaswa

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Access To Healthcare ◽

Control Group ◽

Service Access ◽

The Impact ◽

Degrees Of Severity ◽

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the provision or exacerbated the existing gap of access to essential healthcare services. An unanticipated effect on access to healthcare services emerged with the introduction of COVID-19 lockdown regulations. Violence against women is prevalent with varying degrees of severity in all spheres of society.Methods: This study aims to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the access to healthcare services for the victims of sexual assault in the Mthatha region of South Africa. This is a records review of victims of sexual assault survivors who visited and were treated at the Sinawe TCC at Mthatha Regional Hospital. The data on sexual assault cases at Sinawe TCC were compared with a time-matched control group from 2014 to 2020.Results: There were 5747 sexual assault cases reported at Sinawe TCC between 01 January 2014 and 31 December 2020. There was a major drop in reported cases at Sinawe TCC during the 2020 year, with only about half (451) of the annual average cases being reported.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has an impact on access to healthcare services for the victims of sexual assault survivors in the Mthatha region of South Africa.

Reporting Sexual Assault: Survivors’ Satisfaction With Sexual Assault Response Personnel

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/1077801219857831 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (11) ◽

pp. 1362-1382

Author(s):

Amy L. Henninger ◽

Michiko Iwasaki ◽

Marianna E. Carlucci ◽

Jeffrey M. Lating

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Cultural Sensitivity ◽

Policy Implications ◽

Future Research ◽

Patrol Officers ◽

Office Staff ◽

Victim Advocates ◽

Survey Responses ◽

Although jurisdictions have attempted to improve their response procedures, sexual assault cases are often insufficiently investigated. This study examines the survey responses of 460 female sexual assault survivors regarding their experiences with response personnel. Overall satisfaction with response services was 66.1%. Victim advocates and forensic nurses received higher satisfaction ratings than did patrol officers, detectives, and State’s Attorney’s Office staff. The present study also found that 65% of the variance in overall satisfaction was accounted for by four personnel behaviors: respectful treatment, clearly explained procedures, believed their stories, and demonstrated cultural sensitivity. Policy implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Predicting the Effects of Sexual Assault Research Participation: Reactions, Perceived Insight, and Help-Seeking

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260516670882 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (17) ◽

pp. 3592-3613 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Anne Kirkner ◽

Mark Relyea ◽

Sarah E. Ullman

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Emotion Dysregulation ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Research Participation ◽

Survey Participation ◽

The Impact ◽

This study examined effects of participating in survey research for women sexual assault survivors with other trauma histories to understand the role of study participation on perceived insight and long-term help-seeking behaviors. A diverse sample of 1,863 women from a large Midwestern city participated in a 3-year study on women’s experiences with sexual assault. Regression analyses were conducted to (a) examine predictors of immediate positive and negative reactions to survey participation and (b) assess the impact of the survey on perceived insight and women’s long-term help-seeking behavior. Overall, most women in the study had a higher positive than negative reaction to the survey (92%), with a significant proportion indicating they sought additional services as a result of participation (55%). Women with child sexual abuse (CSA), more emotion dysregulation, and more characterological self-blame had more negative reactions to the survey, whereas those with more education and individual adaptive coping had more positive reactions. Women who said they gained insight from answering survey questions were most likely to seek additional help. This study extends the literature by examining cumulative trauma and postassault symptoms in relation to the effects of survey participation. This is also the first study of women sexual assault survivors to find a relationship between gaining perceived insight from research and subsequent help-seeking. Participating in sexual assault research may help survivors gain greater insight into their recovery, which can lead them to seek out more resources for their ongoing trauma-related problems.

Correlates of Women’s Sexual Assault Disclosure to Informal and Formal Support Sources

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.20.4.417 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 417-432 ◽

Cited By ~ 57

Author(s):

Laura L. Starzynski ◽

Sarah E. Ullman ◽

Henrietta H. Filipas ◽

Stephanie M. Townsend

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Informal Support ◽

Future Research ◽

Self Blame ◽

Formal Support ◽

Social Reactions ◽

Adult Sexual Assault ◽

Attributions Of Blame ◽

Deciding which people to tell about sexual assault is an important and potentially consequential decision for sexual assault survivors. Women typically receive many different positive and negative reactions when they disclose sexual assault to social support sources. A diverse sample of adult sexual assault survivors in the Chicago area was surveyed about sexual assault experiences, social reactions received when disclosing assault to others, attributions of blame, coping strategies, and PTSD. Analyses were run to identify demographic, assault, and postassault factors differentiating women disclosing to informal support sources only from those disclosing to both informal and formal support sources. Women disclosing to both formal and informal support sources experienced more stereotypical assaults, had more PTSD symptoms, engaged in less behavioral self-blame, and received more negative social reactions than those disclosing to informal support sources only. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed.

Silencing by design: Lessons learned about child sexual abuse from a university sexual assault survey

Women s Health ◽

10.1177/17455065211017062 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 174550652110170

Author(s):

Marika Guggisberg ◽

Hillary J Haldane ◽

Vicki Lowik ◽

Annabel Taylor ◽

Bethany Mackay ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Child Sexual Abuse ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

University Students ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Sexual Victimization ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Future Research ◽

Prepubescent Child ◽

The Impact

Background: University students have been recognized as particularly being vulnerable to sexual victimization. Purpose: With little research to date, and acknowledgement for the need of a better understanding of sexual violence, our study analysed the CQUniversity Sexual Assault Survey’s qualitative responses. An open-ended qualitative question allowed students to provide information anonymously. Methods: A total of 109 participants contributed responses with 17 respondents commenting on the fact that the survey omitted to ask about child sexual abuse prior to the cut-off age of 12 years. Results: University students revealed unexpected disclosures of prepubescent child sexual abuse victimization and ongoing sexual victimization into adulthood. Furthermore, students’ comments indicated negative impacts including distress, mental health and substance use problems, distrust, and interpersonal difficulties. Strong feelings about ‘silencing’ prepubescent child sexual abuse in university surveys were expressed with a request that questions about child sexual abuse prior to the age of 12 years be included. Conclusion: Our study found that child sexual abuse victimization is important to students. Recommendations indicate the need for future research about sexual violence among university students without age restrictions to gain a better understanding about the impact of trauma including revictimization experiences.

The Role of Sexual Orientation in the Victimization and Recovery of Sexual Assault Survivors

Violence and Victims ◽

10.1891/0886-6708.vv-d-13-00066 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 636-648 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

Rannveig Sigurvinsdottir ◽

Sarah E. Ullman

Keyword(s):

Sexual Orientation ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Women ◽

Bisexual Women ◽

Sexual Minority Women ◽

Social Reactions ◽

Few studies examine the sexual violence victimization and recovery of nonheterosexuals. Limited available research suggests that lesbian and bisexual women are at increased risk for sexual violence and experience more recovery problems following assault than heterosexuals. We examine differences by sexual orientation in victimization, recovery, and social reactions as well as whether racial differences relate to recovery in female sexual assault survivors (N = 1,863) from the community. Bisexual women emerged as a distinct group from heterosexual women with greater recovery problems and experienced greater impact of social reactions. Black sexual minority women also had more negative outcomes than White sexual minority women. Results suggest that differences in sexual orientation and race relate to poorer recovery, especially for survivors with multiple marginalized identities.

Initial Stages of Development for an Intersectoral Network on Trans-Affirming Practice to Better Support Sexual Assault Survivors in Ontario

University of Toronto Journal of Public Health ◽

10.33137/utjph.v1i1.33809 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Joseph Friedman Burley ◽

Melissa Miljanovski ◽

Megan Saad ◽

Sheila Macdonald ◽

Chett Bradley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Sexual Assault ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Service Providers ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Intersectoral Collaboration ◽

Policy And Practice ◽

Successful Design ◽

Background: Sexual violence against transgender (trans) persons is a complex public health issue that requires the coordinated effort of multiple sectors to address. A 2017 survey of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) working within Ontario’s 36 Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres (SA/DVTCs) revealed a need for training in the provision of trans-affirming care and highlighted a gap in knowledge related to local trans-positive organizations. In response, the successful design, pilot, and evaluation of a curriculum on trans-affirming care for SANEs was completed in 2018. However, there remained a pressing need to connect SANEs with trans-positive service providers across sectors to enhance the provision of care to trans survivors throughout Ontario. Goals and Objectives: To initiate the development a provincial intersectoral network on trans-affirming practice to better support sexual assault survivors by mobilizing knowledge on the new curriculum and connecting SA/DVTCs with local trans-positive community organizations. Approach: Guided by the Lifecycle Model of Network Development, seven regional meetings across the province were facilitated with leaders from SA/DVTCs and local trans-positive organizations. Key insights from meeting activities were transcribed and analyzed. Results: 106 representatives from 96 SA/DVTCs and trans-positive organizations attended a meeting between 7 June and 11 July 2019. 93 organizations expressed interest in being a part of the ongoing development of the network, in addition to 31 organizations unable to attend the meetings. 18 themes related to regional and provincial intersectoral collaboration to address sexual violence against trans communities were identified. Implications: As indicated by high meeting attendance and ongoing interest in developing a network, sexual violence against trans persons is a timely issue relevant to the enhancement of public health policy and practice across sectors. Informed by data gathered across the meetings, we aim to further consolidate the network, including working toward its maturation and sustainability.

The ISSAS Model: Understanding the Information Needs of Sexual Assault Survivors on College Campuses

College & Research Libraries ◽

10.5860/crl.78.1.16565 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 78 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Julia Skinner ◽

Melissa Gross

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Information Needs ◽

Academic Library ◽

College Campuses ◽

Future Research ◽

College Age ◽

Information Studies ◽

Sexual assault is a prevalent, yet underreported and stigmatizing crime that disproportionately affects college-age students. The literature of Library & Information Studies does not currently address the ways in which survivors may seek information after an assault. Blending findings from Psychology and LIS, this study proposes the Information Seeking of Sexual Assault Survivors (ISSAS) model, which examines the seeking process through various stages of healing. The article concludes with directions for future research as well as insights on serving survivors within the academic library while being mindful of one’s appropriate professional role.

Adult Sexual Assault Survivors’ Experiences With Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs)

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260511403761 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 26 (18) ◽

pp. 3618-3639 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Giannina Fehler-Cabral ◽

Rebecca Campbell ◽

Debra Patterson

Keyword(s):

Sexual Assault ◽

Future Research ◽

Emotional Impact ◽

Rape Survivors ◽

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners ◽

Adult Sexual Assault ◽

Positive Experiences ◽

Hospital Emergency Departments ◽

Sexual assault survivors often feel traumatized by the care received in traditional hospital emergency departments. To address these problems, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) programs were created to provide comprehensive medical care, crisis intervention, and forensic services. However, there is limited research on the actual experiences and emotional impact of sexual assault survivors who seek treatment from SANEs. This qualitative study examined twenty rape survivors’ experiences with forensic nurse examiners of a Midwestern SANE program. Findings suggest that SANEs provided survivors with care and compassion, clear explanations, and choices. Taken together, these positive experiences were perceived as “humanizing”. However, some survivors perceived forensic nurses as hurtful when they were not provided with choices, explanation, and/or acted cold and distant. Implications for future research on SANE care and practice are discussed.