A group of masters candidates from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy compiled this report for their client, the SAFE Center, an anti-trafficking organization located in College Park, Maryland. The SAFE Center provides direct services to trafficking survivors (regarding legal, medical, mental health, and economic empowerment), engages in research to improve those services, and advocates justice for survivors. This report contains an in-depth explanation of trauma, trauma-informed training, and treatment methods, while considering the literature on crisis intervention models used within various trauma models including sexual assault, post-traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence, and human trafficking. While examining human trafficking as a trauma model, we (the authors) researched various survivor service models, and provided information about the notable differences in services provided between the SAFE Center and these other organizations.…
Depression, guilt, shame, fear, anxiety and interpersonal difficulties have been found to be present in survivors beyond one year after the rape (Cohen & Roth, 1987; Resick, 1983). Crisis theorists (Burgess & Holstrom, 1974; Sutherland & Schurl, 1970) have provided a model by which the emotional sequelae of rape can be better understood. However, crisis theory models are limited because they compartmentalize the aftermath of rape into phases and the actual experience of being raped can be lost (Fischer,…
The legal issue surrounding this heinous crime done to males can be complicated. To start off with police officers are usually the first responders and at time they can cause more harm than good. Officers are not at times properly trained for this kind of response and can be insensitive. Some officers when encountering a male victim they are usually in disbelief. In this moment, the victim has been denied a proper investigation, and the feelings of they deserved it or wanted begin.…
Teachers’ role is vial in supporting sexual assault survivors, starting from raising awareness in the classroom about the causes, consequences and different ways of support. Teachers should emphasis on the varies methods of support; starting from being a good listener, showing a sense of believe, honor the survivor autonomy, always remind them that it is not their fault , and most importantly to refer them to an organizations with specialized…
When you hear the words sexual abuse and rape, what pops into your head? An innocent, defenseless, woman or creepy looking man? While that version of events is the majority of cases, it is not all. Especially in my friend’s situation; my friend, a man, was sexually coerced by a women and was affected heavily. Men who have experienced any type of unconsented sexual act are negatively affected no matter their sexuality or gender of the perpetrator.…
Child sexual abuse leaves a huge impact on its victims. Following child sexual abuse initial effects include fear, anger, hostility, guilt and shame, low self-esteem, anxiety, early overt sexual behavior and behavioral disturbances; these same feelings can last into adulthood. Childhood sexual abuse survivors may experience depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, dissociation, low self-esteem and Post Traumatic Shock Disorder . The article Sexual Abuse Histories of Young Women in the U.S. Child Welfare System informs that rape, being tortured or a victim of terrorists and molestation are the types of drama associated with PTSD (Breno, AL, and MP Galupo). Incest child sexual abuse survivors may have more severe problems, especially if the offender…
Interpersonal violence against women is endemic in our society. Thus, it is estimated that 14% to 20% of women will experience rape at some point in their lives; that 25% to 28% will be physically abused in a sexual-romantic relationship; and that 8% to 24% will be stalked by someone they know or by a stranger. When these statistics are added to the 25% to 35% likelihood that the average adult woman has been sexually abused as a child, it is clear that the epidemiology of interpersonal violence against women is a pressing social issue (Briere & Jordan, 2004). Equally concerning is the association between these various forms of victimization and mental health issues in women. Female survivors of sexual trauma are vulnerable to a wide range of…
Similar to the other group therapies, there are certain norms and rules established in psychoeducational group therapy. Along with trust there must be respect among the group. Anything that is talked about during a group session should remain within the group, and group members in should refrain from socializing with each other outside of the group ( CIAITION). The psychoeducational group therapy begins with session one; rapport building and trust.…
After reading about the psychoeducation model, it’s the answer to what I believe one of my new clients is in need of. My client a 22 year old male who has had several hospitalization since being diagnosed with bipolar 1. However, once stabilized he is sent back home with a Mother and father who have two other younger children at home. Most of the time he’s brought to the hospital its due to the client being off his medication for couple of weeks. The Parents are very tired, and has warned our agency that they are not going to allow the client back home which causes an even bigger problem for the client and even more instability.…
Sexual assault is an epidemic that affects a tremendous number of people in the United States. According to a 2010 survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control, 18.3% of women and 1.4% of men report experiencing rape at some point in their lives (Black et al., 2011). If convicted, the perpetrators of these crimes will often be mandated to undergo treatment as a means to lower their chance of re-offending. However, current models of sex offender treatment are not particularly effective, reducing recidivism by only 10% (Shingler, 2004). Lowering the recidivism rate for sex offenders is a matter of public safety, and therefore it is of vital importance that mental health practitioners and researchers continue to search for more effective treatment modalities.…
‘Sexual Assault and Depressive Symptoms in College Students: Do Psychological Needs Account for the Relationship?’ focuses on the correlation between fulfillment of basic psychological needs and how it affects the levels of depression of sexual assault victims in college students. Many studies in the past have found that the reason for higher depressive symptoms in college students was often connected to students with low satisfaction of their basic psychological needs, such as competence, autonomy, and relatedness (Chang, et al., 2015). With this previous information in mind Edward Chang, et al., wanted to figure out how basic psychological needs play a role in connection with depression of sexual assault victims. They hypothesized that low…
A girl by the name of Leslie Marmon Silko was born in Albuquerque in 1948. She was born in a time where violence was a huge factor in her life. In 2000, Leslie wrote an essay titled “In the Combat Zone”. She wrote this essay to let women know that the use of guns for self-defense not just against strangers, but also rapists and killers really is okay. All people, but mostly women, need to be able to defend themselves and not let anyone take advantage of them.…
It is reported that one in five women and one in 71 men have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. Being a victim of sexual assault is one of the most traumatic types of criminal acts against a person. Victims find it difficult to discuss being a victim and it is important that victim resources be available for them. For many victims the trauma is greater than a physical attack but an emotional and spiritual attack on a person. It is important for investigators and higher education administrators to be able to protect the victim’s privacy while prosecuting sexual assault cases.…
The mental health impact of sexual trauma is undoubtedly a serious public health problem for women. Hopefully, with all the research that has been found, anyone who experiences the emotional aftermath of sexual trauma can recover in a way…
This can help the authorities understand better what can be done to make sure the women’s perspective is considered the investigation. The Classes can give women assistant on coping with what happened from this traumatic experience and doing it in a healthy way that doesn’t result in creating negative effects. Many countries across the world have been developing educational classes of sexual violence and consent. These programs in North America are seen as being helpful to an extent, as communication about consent is only so effective. Having series of permanent programs instead of one-off programs are more effective in preventing sexual violence.…