Health care-based interventions for women who have experienced sexual violence: a review of the literature

Trauma Violence Abuse. 2007 Jan;8(1):3-18. doi: 10.1177/1524838006296746.

Abstract

Thirty publications that evaluated health care-based interventions for women who experienced sexual violence were reviewed. The findings highlight that clinicians often need training in the provision sexual assault care, and that not all emergency departments have sexual assault care protocols. Studies examining effectiveness found that Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner programs are very helpful, that health care-based sexual assault treatment settings attract more women than do forensic-based settings, that sexual assault survivors often prefer a combination of medication and counseling treatment, and that preexam administration of a video explaining the collection of forensic evidence may reduce women's stress during the procedure. Studies on postexposure HIV prophylaxis found that many women did not complete the treatment regimen, often because of side effects. Emergency contraception to prevent postrape pregnancy is not consistently offered to women. Only one study reported on abortion as part of the range of sexual assault services.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Battered Women / psychology*
  • Battered Women / statistics & numerical data
  • Counseling / organization & administration
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Crime Victims / rehabilitation*
  • Emergency Medical Services / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nursing Service, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Women's Health
  • Women's Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Women's Health Services / statistics & numerical data