Source: RAINN; https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence
One in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. Once an unspeakable experience, women and men are speaking out about their experiences of sexual assault; however, only a fraction (about 23%) of sexual assaults are reported to police and only 0.5% of the assaults result in a conviction of the perpetrator. Young people may not seek out health care after an assault for a variety of reasons, including not knowing why it’s important or what to expect. But being assessed and treated by a qualified health professional is key to preventing additional complications from the assault, obtaining evidence of the assault that could be used in a trial, and obtaining the physical care and emotional support that may help in recovery.
Jocelyn Anderson, PhD, RN, is a forensic and sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) who has been working to ensure that people who are sexually assaulted can trust that they will be protected and respected when they go to an ER. She’s an assistant professor at the Penn State University School of Nursing and the author of a recent article on sexual assault for Scarleteen, an independent, grassroots sexuality and relationships education and support organization and website founded in 1998. The article is titled “Sexual Assault Exam: An Insider’s Guide.”
I talked with Dr. Anderson on HealthCetera in the Catskills recently to learn more about the role of appropriate, trauma-informed care after a sexual assault. You can listen to the interview here:
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