Similar yet unique: the victim's journey after acute sexual assault and the importance of continuity of care.

Abstract

To examen the short-term and long-term responses of sexual assault victims who attended a sexual assault centre. Semi-structured interviews were held with twelve victims of sexual assault who received help from a sexual assault centre. Analyses were done in Atlas.ti. via a process of open, axial and selective coding. Shortly after assault, the victims' response was to strike a balance between denial and acknowledgement that the violence was real and not their fault. In the ling term most victims experienced a dynamic recovery process with fluctuating responses. Their social support network played a crucial role in reaching out for professional care. Shortly after assault sexual violence victims need the violence to be acknowledged by skilful, empathic care providers. In the long term, victims experience vitims experience a dynamic recovery process with fluctuating responses in which continuity of care is of the utmost importance.