Mindfulness and Sexual Violence

Abstract

Mindfulness-based interventions show promise for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. A recently published review of mindfulness intervention research for trauma victims more broadly revealed significant potential for this treatment approach. This chapter identified investigations that tested the effects of mindfulness-based interventions on survivors of intimate partner violence and survivors of childhood sexual abuse specifically. Although nascent, this research yielded ameliorating effects of mindfulness-based interventions for survivors of sexual violence. In addition to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, survivors of sexual violence often face self-blame and lower self-worth. Mindfulness-based interventions teach participants self-acceptance and self-compassion, which are likely to be particularly beneficial for survivors of sexual violence. Additional research has explored the effects of mindfulness practice to help prevent the perpetration of sexual violence and to aid advocates who work with survivors. These two areas of research were reviewed briefly as well, resulting in encouraging findings that call for further investigation.