Sexual Assault

Question 1

What is sexual assault?

Answer 1

Any sexual activity for which consent is not obtained or freely given. Also called sexual violence.

Question 2

What is aggravated sexual assault?

Answer 2

A legal term used when, during a sexual assault, the life of the survivor is endangered or the assault results in injury.

Question 3

What is at the root of sexual assault?

Answer 3

Sexual assault is not about sex but rather is the exertion of power and control over another individual.

Question 4

What % of sexual assaults are thought to go unreported in Canada?

Answer 4

90%

Question 5

What mental health impact is 2-3 times higher for survivors of sexual assault than for any other kind of trauma?

Answer 5

PTSD

Question 6

What is secondary victimization?

Answer 6

The sexual assault survivor’s experiencing further stress or trauma when seeking help.

This can happen through victim blaming, insensitive communication techniques, delays in care, disbelief, shame, stigmatization, or minimization of the experience by others.

Question 7

In sexual assaults, is it typical for the survivor to know the perpetrator?

Answer 7

Yes,a large majority of reported sexual assaults were committed by a friend or acquaintance of the victim.

Question 8

When did spousal sexual assault become against the law in Canada?

Answer 8

1983

Question 9

What factors can provide resiliency to the psychological imapcts of sexual assault?

Answer 9

• timely intervention
• trauma-informed approaches, such as having some control over the legal process
• availability of positive support systems

Question 10

What is rape-trauma syndrome?

Answer 10

A variant of post-traumatic stress disorder that consists of an acute phase and a long-term reorganization process that occurs after an actual or attempted sexual assault.

Question 11

How long does the acute phase of rape-trauma syndrome last?

Answer 11

Onset occurs immediately and may last 2-3 weeks.

Question 12

What reactions are survivors likely to experience during the long-term reorganization phase of rape-trauma syndrome?

Answer 12

• intrusive thoughts
• increased activity
• increase emotional lability
• fears and phobias may develop
• acute disruption of sex life

Question 13

What nursing interventions are suggested for sexual assualt victims by the Emergency Nurses Association?

Answer 13

• Use a nonjudgmental and empathetic approach
• Rapidly assessing the needs and support required to prevent further trauma
• Treating and documenting injuries
• Providing a private environment
• Assisting with or conducting the physical exam
• Collecting evidence, with appropriate documentation and technique
• Assessing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and treating STIs
• Conducting pregnancy risk evaluation and prevention
• Providing crisis intervention and arranging follow up counselling

Question 14

What is involved in the general assessment of a sexual assault survivor?

Answer 14

• Level of anxiety (a patient experiencing severe to panic levels of anxiety will not be able to problem solve or process information)
• Coping mechanisms, including a suicide assessment
• available support systems
• signs and symptoms of emotional trauma
• signs and symptoms of physical trauma (ensure consent is given)

Question 15

What is vicarious trauma?

Answer 15

A term used to describe the disruptions in thinking and perspectives of those who are exposed to the stories of people who are traumatized; it is of concern for nurses and others working with sexual assault victims.