Barriers to Service
As previously mentioned, disclosure is the first step toward healing after sexual assault. Unfortunately, for many victims, it is also the most difficult step to take. There are numerous reasons victims hesitate to disclose. These include fear of navigating the justice system, worry about retribution or further attacks by the assailant, shame, self-blame, and confusion about the assault (Baker et al., 2012). Research further indicates that many victims do not disclose incidents of sexual assault due to concerns about stigmatisation, blame and other negative responses from those to whom they disclose (Baker et al., 2012).
In some cases, victims who are prepared to disclose are hindered by a lack of available services. Many small communities have no services that are tailored to meet the needs of sexual assault victims. In small communities that do have accessible services, issues of …show more content…
Again, there is a cost to the victim in the form of work interference, loss of wages, and the cost of childcare so that he or she can attend counselling (Julich et al., 2013). For some, the value of engaging in counselling is perceived to be limited by the complications that must be navigated to do so.
Finally, the out of pocket cost of counselling services can be a barrier to receiving supportive assistance post-assault. Individuals who do not have access to a Family Assistance Program through extended insurance coverage often cannot afford to attend counselling (Julich et al., 2013). Those who do have insurance coverage may find that counsellors are hesitant to bill insurance directly and prefer payment out of pocket. Free counselling services are often available to victims of sexual assault, but these are most often available in urban centres and require extensive travel for individuals from rural
As previously mentioned, disclosure is the first step toward healing after sexual assault. Unfortunately, for many victims, it is also the most difficult step to take. There are numerous reasons victims hesitate to disclose. These include fear of navigating the justice system, worry about retribution or further attacks by the assailant, shame, self-blame, and confusion about the assault (Baker et al., 2012). Research further indicates that many victims do not disclose incidents of sexual assault due to concerns about stigmatisation, blame and other negative responses from those to whom they disclose (Baker et al., 2012).
In some cases, victims who are prepared to disclose are hindered by a lack of available services. Many small communities have no services that are tailored to meet the needs of sexual assault victims. In small communities that do have accessible services, issues of …show more content…
Again, there is a cost to the victim in the form of work interference, loss of wages, and the cost of childcare so that he or she can attend counselling (Julich et al., 2013). For some, the value of engaging in counselling is perceived to be limited by the complications that must be navigated to do so.
Finally, the out of pocket cost of counselling services can be a barrier to receiving supportive assistance post-assault. Individuals who do not have access to a Family Assistance Program through extended insurance coverage often cannot afford to attend counselling (Julich et al., 2013). Those who do have insurance coverage may find that counsellors are hesitant to bill insurance directly and prefer payment out of pocket. Free counselling services are often available to victims of sexual assault, but these are most often available in urban centres and require extensive travel for individuals from rural