Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Sexual assault: coping with crisis

E MacFarlane, P Hawley

    The Canadian Nurse
    |June 1, 1993
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Sexual assault survivors often feel re-traumatized by healthcare professionals. This study highlights the critical need for compassionate and sensitive care for victims of sexual assault to prevent further distress.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same author

    Trends in pain relief and the role of interventional radiology.

    Clinical radiology·2023
    Same author

    What skills do New Zealand clinicians have to provide first trimester abortion in primary care and are they willing?

    Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives·2023
    Same author

    Cannabis use in cancer: a survey of the current state at BC Cancer before recreational legalization in Canada.

    Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.)·2019
    Same author

    A multicentre open-label safety and efficacy study of tetrodotoxin for cancer pain.

    Current oncology (Toronto, Ont.)·2011
    Same author

    Suicide in Australian pesticide-exposed workers.

    Occupational medicine (Oxford, England)·2011
    Same author

    Cancer incidence and mortality in a historical cohort of Australian pest control workers.

    Occupational and environmental medicine·2009

    Area of Science:

    • Forensic Nursing
    • Trauma-Informed Care
    • Patient Advocacy

    Background:

    • Sexual assault is a significant public health issue with profound psychological and physical consequences for survivors.
    • The initial medical examination and interaction with healthcare professionals can be a critical juncture in a survivor's healing process.
    • Negative experiences with healthcare providers can exacerbate trauma, leading to feelings of abandonment and hopelessness.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To explore the experiences of sexual assault survivors during their initial contact with healthcare professionals.
    • To identify factors contributing to feelings of re-traumatization among survivors in the emergency department setting.
    • To emphasize the importance of empathetic and trauma-informed approaches in forensic nursing and emergency care.

    Related Experiment Videos

    Main Methods:

    • Qualitative analysis of a case vignette describing a sexual assault survivor's interaction with healthcare professionals.
    • Exploration of the mother's and daughter's expressed feelings of abandonment and re-traumatization.
    • Review of existing literature on trauma-informed care for sexual assault victims.

    Main Results:

    • Survivors may perceive healthcare interactions as a secondary assault if not handled with extreme sensitivity and care.
    • Communication breakdowns and perceived lack of empathy from medical staff can lead to significant distress.
    • The "rape myth" and victim-blaming attitudes can inadvertently influence professional responses.

    Conclusions:

    • Healthcare professionals must adopt trauma-informed practices to provide effective and compassionate care to sexual assault survivors.
    • Training in empathetic communication and understanding the psychological impact of sexual assault is crucial for all medical personnel.
    • Improving the initial healthcare experience is vital for a survivor's long-term recovery and trust in the healthcare system.