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Sexual violence is "any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, or other act directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. It includes rape, defined as the physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration of the vulva or anus with a penis, other body part or object, attempted rape, unwanted sexual touching, and other non-contact forms" (World Health Organization, 2021).

Causes reproductive, sexual, physical, and mental issues both short-term and long-term for women. Childhood sexual violence can increase illicit drug use and inappropriate sexual behavior (World Health Organization, 2021).

It is estimated that about 1 in 3 (30%) of women worldwide have been subjected to either physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime (World Health Organization, 2021).

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Goal

The objective of this poster is to enhance healthcare provider's knowledge regarding the care of women who have experienced sexual violence.

Objectives

After reviewing this poster, participants will be able to:

Explain risk factors of violence occurring against women

Articulate signs of sexual violence

Verbalize potential symptoms of sexual violence

Discuss mandatory reporting laws related to sexual violence

Communicate key measures that the healthcare system should implement to guide care of patients who have experienced sexual abuse

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Female, past history of abuse, young age, low education, alcohol/substance use, being in a relationship with a male, and preexisting abuse in the relationship (Barker, Stewart, & Vigod, 2019).

Poor education, lack of parental support, history of family violence, poor communication skills, risky sexual behavior, and experiencing or witnessing abuse (Duval, Lanning, &Patterson, 2018).

Traditional masculinity- system of beliefs of what men should be in general (Krivoshchekov, Gulevich, & Blagov, 2023).

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Women Abuse Screen Tool (WAST) used in Canada

Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) used in the U.S.

Humiliation, Afraid, Rape, and Kick (HARK) used in the UK

Most data is based on violence not necessarily sexual violence

Barriers to screening

Providers don't find it acceptable

Some providers don't see it as their role

Some providers fear offending the patient

Some providers feel unsupported by lack of training or referral options

(Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

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Minimize additional Trauma while taking medical history and performing an exam (WHO, 2017)

Offer HIV prophylaxis within 72 hours (WHO, 2017)

Offer emergency contraception within 120 hours (WHO, 2017)

Consider STI treatment or prophylaxis (WHO, 2017)

Offer Hep B and HPV vaccination (WHO, 2017)

Limited evidence for interventions for recovery (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Nurse home visiting advocacy programs (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Child psychotherapeutic interventions (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Assertion training (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Clinician-assisted emotional disclosure (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Prolonged exposure therapy (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Stress inoculation therapy (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

Supportive psychotherapy (Hegarty & Tarzia, 2019)

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Patients decide whether they want to report a sexual assault to law enforcement

Vulnerable adults

Suspected abuse against minors victimized by caretakers or authority figures

(A national protocol for sexual assault, 2013)

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Healthcare providers in the emergency department recommend effective screening interventions, training of the staff on trauma-informed care, affiliations with community services, and patient support relations (Stanford et al.,2023).

The need to provide gender-sensitive care is essential. Further research is still needed to explore sexually abused female patients who have a history of mental health because it is often missed secondary to their psychiatric disorder (O'Dwyer et al.,2019).

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Trauma to the genital area- unexplained bleeding, unexplained bruising, blood on sheets or underwear

Inappropriate sexual behavior for age

Change in eating habits

Increase in unexplained health problems (stomach ache, headache)

Increase in alcohol or drug use

Self-harm

(Warning signs for college-age adults | RAINN, n.d.)

(Warning signs for teens | RAINN, n.d.)

(Warning signs for young children | RAINN, n.d.)

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Lack of energy

Trying to avoid removing clothing when changing or bathing

Limited talking

Unusual weight changes

Poor hygiene

(Warning signs for college-age adults | RAINN, n.d.)

(Warning signs for teens | RAINN, n.d.)

(Warning signs for young children | RAINN, n.d.)

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SAFER Act: helps with testing and auditing DNA evidence and bringing the offenders to justice.

Title IX: anyone who receives funding is not being discriminated against on any sexual basis

Victims of Crime Act: helps the victims with any medical bills, lost wages or counseling assistance

Federal and State Courts Address Sexual Violence: RAINN looks over how the offenders are prosecuted, prevents sexual abuse, and supports and helps the victims.

Clery Act: any crimes carried out on campuses in colleges and universities need to be reported with transparency by the Clery Act

Debbie Smith Act: removes any unanalyzed and untested DNA proof by adding it to the national DNA database and by giving the resources to dispose of the proof.

Campus Save Act: this act alters the Clery Act by providing educational programs, support for the survivors, enacting disciplinary events, and expanding the transparency needs for colleges

(Sexual Assault Laws and Court Decisions | RAINN, n.d.)