Survivors Of Sexual Violence Research Articles

"Like A Mouse Pursued By the Snake": A Qualitative Metasynthesis on the Experiences of Revictimization Among Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Partner Violence.

A metasynthesis was performed on 15 qualitative studies to document the experience of revictimization by an intimate partner among women, based on survivors' perspectives on their sustained childhood sexual abuse and intimate partner violence victimization. Results identified two main conceptual categories: (a) Barriers to action: A belief system reflecting learned helplessness that hinders women's abilities to protect themselves and prevent further abuses, and (b) Broken internal compass: Cognitive elements blurring women's risk evaluation capacities and reference points limiting their ability to break the cycle of revictimization. These findings support the need to examine cognitive distortions and false beliefs in intervention practices and suggest valuable guidelines for practitioners. As the responsibility for violence always lies with the perpetrator, this study should not be interpreted as blaming women for their victimization, but instead, as a way to give women a voice about their experiences and give them a sense of power in the prevention of violence.

The shame of sexual violence towards women in rural areas.

This perspective paper presents a discussion around the issues of sexual violence (SV) in rural and remote areas and the associated discourses of shame. The authors propose that shame of SV adds additional trauma to survivors, further impacting survivors' mental health which may be exacerbated in rural areas. Shame is a complex emotion that can result in increased feelings of guilt, humiliation, and embarrassment. Shame has been identified as an underlying risk factor and a mechanism for post-assault mental health problems. We propose it can be particularly pronounced for women subjected to sexual assault in rural or remote areas. This paper will explore the link between SV and shame, explain how shame attached to SV may be used as an informal social control mechanism for women, particularly in rural and remote areas, and discuss the role of health practitioners, particularly mental health nurses, who play a key role in supporting people impacted by SV. SV is an insidious social phenomenon that can have profound consequences for individuals, families, and communities. Addressing shame and stigma is a crucial component of supporting survivors of SV in rural and remote areas. There is a need for targeted community-led interventions and responsive support services to address the complex and multifaceted issues contributing to SV in rural and remote communities.

A Proposal for a Follow-Up Algorithm for Survivors of Sexual Violence in the Context of a Humanitarian Crisis

Sexual violence is a continuum of actions that constitute a violation of consecrated Human Rights and that has consequences in the short, medium and long term. This issue is aggravated in situations of conflict, forced migration and natural disasters, which is why the UN has considered it one of the priorities to be primarily addressed in a crisis. In order to systematize the good practices for approaching survivors of sexual violence, the group of authors proposes the application of this algorithm as a working tool, in accordance with the standards stipulated by the World Health Organization, IAWG and UNFA.

Relationship Between Emotional Regulation and Resilience in Survivors of Sexual Violence in East Java

This research aims to determine the relationship between emotional regulation and resilience in survivors of sexual violence in East Java. This research uses a quantitative method with the criteria being that respondents are survivors of sexual violence, whether male or female, aged 18‒25 years, domiciled in East Java, have experienced sexual violence, and have not currently experienced such an incident. The measuring instrument used in this research consists of an adapted results scale. Emotion regulation was measured using The Difficulty in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) from Gratz and Roemer (2004) with 33 items, and the resilience variable was measured using the resilience scale by Reivich and Shatté (2002) with 52 items with 103 respondents. The study findings indicate a significant and positive correlation (with a coefficient of 0.404) between emotional regulation and resilience in individuals who have survived sexual violence. In simpler terms, as emotional regulation improves, resilience also increases; conversely, if emotional regulation decreases, so does resilience.

The political consequences of wartime sexual violence: Evidence from a list experiment

Sexual violence is a prevalent feature of war with severe physical, psychological, and social consequences for survivors. Yet we have a limited understanding of how survivors relate to their political environment after the conflict ends. We analyze individual-level survey data on postwar Sri Lanka to assess whether wartime sexual victimization relates to political activism. Connecting unobtrusive measures from a list experiment to individual survivors’ political action, we show that personal experience of sexual violence increases political participation. This effect is substantial in size, holds for institutionalized and non-institutionalized forms of political action, and is robust to unobserved confounding or sample selection bias. Causal mediation analyses suggest that survivors of wartime sexual violence mobilize politically through their involvement in civic networks. The findings stress the relevance of survivors’ agency and contribute to a better understanding of wartime sexual violence, the role of civil society in post-conflict politics, and of humanitarian policy.

PurpLE Clinic: A Primary Care Pilot for Survivors of Sexual Violence, Abuse, and Exploitation.

PurpLE Clinic: A Primary Care Pilot for Survivors of Sexual Violence, Abuse, and Exploitation.

Adolescent Female Victims of Sexual Violence: Analysis of Loss of Follow-up after Emergency Care and Outpatient Follow-up.

To assess the loss to follow-up after emergency care and during 6-months of outpatient follow-up, and the associated variables, among adolescent sexual violence survivors. This is a retrospective study with review of the medical records of 521 females, aged 10 to 18 years, who received emergency care in a referral service in São Paulo, Brazil. The variables were sociodemographic; personal history; characteristics of abuse, disclosure, and reactions triggered after abuse (physical and mental disorders as well as social changes), psychotropic prescription needs, and moment of abandonment: after emergency care and before completing 6 months of outpatient follow-up. To compare groups of patients lost to follow-up at each time point, we used the Chi-square and Fisher exact tests followed by multiple logistic regression with stepwise criterion for selection of associated variables. We calculated the odds ratio with confidence interval (OR, CI 95%). The level of significance adopted was 5%. A total of 249/521 (47.7%) adolescents discontinued follow-up, 184 (35.3%) after emergency care and 65 (12.4%) before completing outpatient follow-up. The variables of living with a partner (OR = 5.94 [CI 95%; 2.49-14.20]); not having a religion (OR = 2.38 [CI 95%;1.29-4.38)]), having a Catholic religion [OR = 2.11 (CI 95%; 1.17-3.78)]; and not disclosing the abuse [OR = 2.07 (CI 95%; 1.25-3.44)] were associated with loss to follow-up after emergency care. Not needing mental disorder care (OR = 2.72 [CI 95%; 1.36-5.46]) or social support (OR = 2.33 [CI 95%; 1.09-4.99]) were directly associated with loss to outpatient follow-up. Measures to improve adherence to follow-up should be aimed at adolescents who live with a partner and those who do not tell anyone about the violence.

Starting a Follow-up Clinic for Patients Who Experience Sexual Violence

There are more than 450,000 new victims of sexual assault each year in the United States. Utah averages 55.5 rapes per 100,000 women, costing an estimated $5 billion annually. Long-term consequences affect mental health (depression, anxiety, mood swings, sleep, and paranoia) and physical health (painful sexual intercourse, painful menstruation, lack of sexual pleasure, and other gynecologic concerns). Current federal guidelines recommend an initial forensic evaluation plus follow-up care to mitigate the sequela. Sadly, specialized follow-up care is rare in Utah. This report describes the creation, implementation, and evaluation of a program designed to increase follow-up care among survivors of sexual violence.

Social Reactions toward Online Disclosure of Sexual Violence

Many survivors of sexual violence have come forward to disclose their experiences on social media. The disclosure has generated positive and negative social reactions. Social media users either victimize sexual violence survivors or advocate against it, according to previous studies. This study aims to explore Twitter users’ social reactions to sexual violence disclosure and their narratives. This study used social network analysis and analyzed 1,678 tweets extracted from the Twitter search function. This study discovers two major themes and twelve subthemes of social reactions. New subthemes emerged: condemnation, curiosity, and sharing experiences (positive social reactions) and humor (negative social reactions). The narratives within negative social reactions brought digital harm to sexual violence survivors with prejudice, hostility, and normalization of sexual violence. Meanwhile, positive social reactions represent resistance by challenging harmful users and the authority and retelling sexual violence experiences to a bigger audience. This study provides input to design policy interventions to guide social media users in responding to sexual violence disclosures.

Forms of sexual violence perpetrated in conflict and post-conflict settings against South Sudanese men resettled in two communities in Uganda: an exploratory qualitative study

BackgroundConsideration for men as survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings has gained some prominence in the last decade. There remains a paucity of empirical data on forms of sexual violence from the survivors’ perspective, and no study has considered the context of the 2013 South Sudan conflict specifically.MethodsThis paper reports the findings of an exploratory qualitative study on the forms of sexual violence perpetrated against men in conflict and post-conflict settings, with the survivors as the main participants. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit 26 South Sudanese male sexual violence survivors who have resettled in two refugee resettlement communities in Uganda since the onset of the 2013 South Sudan conflict. In-depth semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data from the male survivors. Six humanitarian aid workers who support sexual violence survivors also participated as key informants. Thematic data analysis was performed on the qualitative data.ResultsThe 26 survivors reported experiencing eight direct and two indirect forms of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict settings. The direct forms include (1) striping men naked; (2) male rape; (3) exchange of sex for favours; (4) forcing men to rape other people; (5) genital mutilation; (6) genital beating; (7) insertion of objects into men’s anus, and (8) taking men as wives. The indirect forms were forcing men to witness the rape of a female relative and forcing men to cheer or assist during the rape of other people.ConclusionTo maximize positive health outcomes for survivors, stakeholders must consider both direct and indirect forms of male-directed conflict-related sexual violence in policy and practice.

A Virtual Reality Courtroom for Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study on Application Possibilities.

This mixed-method pilot study examined the application possibilities of a virtual courtroom to support survivors of sexual violence who may experience courtroom-associated distress. Female sexual violence survivors (n = 13) who had testified in court following victimization entered an interactive virtual courtroom replica. Their reactions were measured quantitatively and qualitatively. The virtual courtroom evoked both subjective and physiological stress. Participants perceived the virtual reality environment as similar to the real-life courtroom. Most reported negative experiences from interacting with the criminal justice system. The virtual courtroom is a possible future strategy to support survivors when reporting violence to the justice system.

Sexual workplace violence in the health sector in Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study

BackgroundSexual workplace violence occurs worldwide with increasing prevalence, causing psychological and physical injuries. However, only few reports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have investigated the most involved health specialty and its association with other factors, such as working and sociodemographic conditions. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of workplace sexual violence over 12 months, from May 2018 to May 2019, circumstances related to the event, and consequences for the perpetrator and survivor and to identify associated factors among all healthcare workers (HCWs) in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included all HCWs registered with the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties who worked for > 1 year in the health sector (government or private) in Saudi Arabia until May 2019. A non-probability convenient sampling technique was used. A modified self-administered questionnaire sent via email was utilized to assess workplace violence. Descriptive statistics were used to report percentages and frequencies, while advanced statistics, such as bivariate analysis, were used to determine associations. Multivariate logistic binary regression analysis was used to assess the combined and individual associations between relevant predictors of exposure of HCWs to recent sexual violence at the workplace.ResultsIn total, 7,398 (male, 51.3%; female, 48.7%) HCWs were electively enrolled in the study (mean age 40 ± 8.62 years). Most were non-Saudi (60%). Overall, 3.9% were sexual violence survivors. Approximately 60.7%, 51.4%, 48.3%, and 65.9% of female workers, nurses, Saudi natives, and night shift workers (18:00 to 07:00), respectively, were significantly exposed to sexual violence. Furthermore, approximately 54.8% of those with direct physical contact with patients had a higher rate of exposure to sexual harassment (p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe prevalence of sexual violence is low but remains a risk to HCWs, especially those working night shifts and having direct physical contact with patients. Thus, more support, specific strategies, and policies are needed to reduce the rate of occurrence, protect HCWs, and prevent such events. The underreporting of cases may be skewing the magnitude of the problem; thus, more education and additional research in Saudi Arabia are needed regarding sexual violence experienced by HCWs.

Psychosocial interventions for survivors of rape and sexual assault experienced during adulthood.

Psychosocial interventions for survivors of rape and sexual assault experienced during adulthood.

“Information is power:” Promoting a Safer Environment for College Students to Report Sexual Violence

ABSTRACT Most college students do not report sexual violence (SV) incidents reportable under Title IX to their universities. Several studies focus on Title IX in regard to gender equality in sports or SV survivors’ perceptions of their Title IX experience. However, few studies examine the knowledge and perceptions of Title IX of the general college student body using qualitative methods. This study expands upon this literature by exploring college students’ perspectives on Title IX, including the most recent amendments to Title IX regulations. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 55 students with different levels of Title IX experience at one university. The results show that, with the exception of students with Title IX experience, most students lack knowledge about Title IX regulations and procedures, but all students had high expectations of the Title IX office. There is also skepticism and confusion surrounding changes to Title IX regulations.

Voice of incarcerated male youths in Malawi’s semi-urban prisons: a qualitative study

ObjectiveIncarcerated male youths in Malawi’s detention facilities face multiple threats to their health and well-being. The most common challenges are overcrowding, poor sanitation and a lack of access to basic...

Health Providers' Response to Female Adolescent Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Demand Side Barriers in the Utilization of Support Services in Urban Low-Income Communities of Nigeria.

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are often hindered in their quest to access quality healthcare. This has a significant effect towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal SDG Target 3.7. to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This study is focused on identifying some of the demand side barriers in accessing health care services, particularly among young girls who are survivors of SGBV within intimate relationships in poor urban areas in Nigeria. The study used an ethnographic approach to solicit information from health providers, adolescents, and young women (AYW) in 10 low-income communities in two major cities in Nigeria, Ibadan and Lagos. Findings showed that there are structural limitations within the primary health care (PHC) system that posed a great challenge for survivors of SGBV to access services. Some of these include non-existing counseling services, a lack of rehabilitation centers, poor referral, and a lack of training for health providers in handling survivors of SGBV. There is also a lack of skills among health service providers that have negative influence on support services to survivors of SGBV. On the demand side, poor knowledge of possible health seeking pathways, a lack of education, and social support are barriers to accessing appropriate services among adolescent and young SGBV survivors. The study concluded that integrated services at the PHC level should include adequate and timely treatment for survivors of SGBV and targeted intervention to upscale skills and knowledge of health care providers.

“I was just so confused, like does this even count as sexual assault?”: understanding LGBTQA+ sexual victimization, help-seeking, and mental health outcomes

ABSTRACT Most research on sexual victimization centres on cisgender, heterosexual experiences and pushes LGBTQA+ experiences to the margins. The current study focuses on queer experiences of sexual victimization and subsequent help-seeking behaviours and mental health outcomes. Fifteen in-depth interviews with queer identifying individuals who experienced sexual violence were conducted and analysed using a thematic analysis approach. A total of 32 incidents of sexual violence were discussed across the 15 participants. Findings indicate that negative disclosure responses from others, as well as normalizing and rationalizing experiences of sexual violence, are detrimental to help-seeking behaviour. Incidents that involved sexually minoritized women and heterosexual men were met with more positive disclosure responses than incidents that occurred between two sexually minoritized women. Additionally, lesbians experienced more supportive reactions to disclosure than bisexual and queer women. Mental health professionals who were knowledgeable and experienced in both trauma and LGBTQA+ related issues had the most impact on improved health and well-being for queer survivors of sexual violence.

Social Reactions to Disclosure of Sexual Violence Experienced by Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults: Comparisons of Sexual and Gender Minority Recipients Versus Cisgender/Heterosexual Recipients.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual violence (SV). Social reactions received upon disclosure of SV impact survivors' mental health, and this may be more extreme when social reactions are provided by other SGM individuals. The purpose of the current study was to understand the SV disclosure experiences of SGM young adults, including the identity of disclosure recipients and the quality of the social reactions received by SGM and cisgender/heterosexual disclosure recipients. Additionally, the current study sought to examine how the SGM identity of the disclosure recipient and the quality of the social reactions received were associated with mental health outcomes (depression, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and alcohol use) among SGM SV survivors. SGM-identifying participants (N = 110) completed a 10-min survey on Qualtrics that was distributed through Prime Panels. Results revealed that 83% of participants (SGM survivors of SV) disclosed their SV experience to other SGM individuals. SGM disclosure recipients provided more positive social reactions and fewer negative social reactions than cisgender/heterosexual disclosure recipients. Regression models indicated that positive social reactions from cisgender/heterosexual recipients were associated with a decrease in depression scores. Negative social reactions from SGM recipients were associated with an increase in depression scores. Unexpectedly, positive social reactions from SGM recipients, while negative social reactions from cisgender/heterosexual recipients, were associated with an increase in PTSD scores. No associations were found between social reactions and alcohol use. Findings highlight the importance of social reactions and disclosure experiences on SGM survivors' mental health and mitigation opportunities to improve these disclosure experiences.

Perceptions of Anticipated Peer Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence Among Students with Minoritized Identities.

Peers' attitudes toward survivors of sexual violence can impact their willingness to disclose. Students with minoritized identities may perceive and experience their campus environments as less supportive than peers with privileged identities. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of anticipated peer support for sexual violence survivors, using a cross-sectional study of 2,727 students. Linear regression modeling showed significant associations between students with minoritized identities and lower scores on perceptions of anticipated peer support for survivors. There were also several important interactions between specific overlapping student identities. The findings suggest that students with minoritized identities perceive anticipated peer support less favorably than those with privileged identities.

Sex-specific associations between self-reported physical activity and PTSD among survivors of sexual violence.

This study examined sex-specific associations between sexual violence (SV) type and physical activity, and identified associations between PTSD symptoms and physical activity, all among cisgender men and women survivors of SV. Cross-sectional data from men (n = 197) and women (n = 356) survivors of SV were analyzed with stratified (men; women) hierarchical logistic regressions. Additionally, fully adjusted models for the total sample included interaction terms to further assess whether associations between SV type as well as PTSD symptoms (sum, clusters) and physical activity differed significantly by sex. Sexual assault was negatively associated with physical activity in the crude model among women (ORs: 0.58; p < 0.05). Harassment was positively associated with physical activity in the crude and adjusted models (ORs:1.92-2.16; ps<0.05) among women. Among men, there were no significant relationships. Regarding PTSD symptoms among women, crude and adjusted stratified models identified significant positive relationships with intrusion (ORs: 1.18-1.22; ps<0.05). Crude and adjusted models revealed significant positive relationships between avoidance and activity (ORs:1.38-1.41; ps<0.05) among men but not women. The interaction term for this difference in the association between avoidance and physical activity by sex was significant (OR: 0.65; 95%CI: 0.48-0.88; p < 0.01). Overall, findings provide evidence for sex-specific associations between SV and physical activity.