Sexual Violence Prevention Resources for Health Care Providers

Sexual Violence Prevention for Health Care Providers

Sexual violence victimization has a profound impact on a patient's physical and mental health. Along with possible physical injury, it is associated with an increased risk of sexual and reproductive health problems. Its impact on mental health can be as serious as its physical impact, and may be equally long lasting (World Health Organization).A recent Virginia survey (2003) indicated that one in four women and one in eight men in Virginia have been victims of sexual assault. Eighty-seven percent of female victims and 96 % of male victims were under the age of 18 when they were assaulted. A survey of Emergency Departments in 2005 found several gaps in service to victims of sexual violence. 44% of the hospitals do not offer forensic nurse services at their hospital. Only 25% of primary care practices provided any type of screening for sexual assault victimization.

Research and Reports

Response to and Prevention of Sexual Assault in the Commonwealth of Virginia

World Health Organization World Report on Violence and Health Sexual Violence Chapter 2003

Tools

American College Health Association Sexual Violence Toolkit - http://www.acha.org/SexualViolence

Policies and Position Statements

Centers for Disease Prevention and Control Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence Victimization Assessment Instruments for Use in Healthcare Settings (2007) http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/IPV/ipv-SViolence.htm

Screening for Sexual Violence: Gaps in Research and Recommendations for Change by Lynne Stevens with contributions from Barbara Sheaffer (December 2007) http://new.vawnet.org/category/Documents.php?docid=1191

A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (September 2004) http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ovw/206554.pdf#search=%22OVW%20National%20Protocol%22

Links for Providers

The Family Violence Prevention Fund's new website, http://www.knowmoresaymore.org, explores the reproductive health consequences of violence and sexual coercion.

Family Violence Prevention Fund: http://www.endabuse.org

Training Opportunities

http://www.vahealth.org/civp/sexualviolence/training.asp