A Mixed-Methods, Multi-Stakeholder Study to Understand and Improve Access to Post-Sexual Assault Care for Survivors of Color, LGBTQ+ Survivors, and/or Survivors Living in Poverty

Principal Investigator:

Kate Walsh, associate professor psychology

Co-Principal Investigator:

Jeneile Luebke, assistant professor of nursing

Co-Investigator:

LB Klein, assistant professor of social work

In the United States, 54.3% of women, 30.7% of men and 41% of trans and non-binary people have experienced lifetime contact sexual assault. Rates of sexual violence are elevated among people of color, those who identify as LGBTQ+ and those experiencing poverty. Sexual violence is associated with numerous mental and physical health conditions yet only 21% of survivors seek post-assault medical care and fewer than 40% of these survivors receive needed follow up care.

Although the high prevalence of sexual violence is well-documented in these demographics, scant research has focused on increasing access to or improving post-assault care, particularly for minoritized populations. This project will address that deficiency by including the perspectives of multiply minoritized sexual violence survivors.

 

The project is expected to yield new information about barriers to care, experiences with care and associated physical and mental health and economic disparities among survivors of color, LGBTQ+ survivors, survivors living in poverty and those with multiple minoritized identities and key stakeholders who work within systems of care. The project also will consider where post-assault care occurs (hospitals, clinics, Indian reservations, LGBTQ centers, advocacy spaces, etc.) and the perspectives of various types of care providers. Furthermore, the project will assess barriers and facilitators for different types of care across groups.

The project will use narrative approaches including in-depth interviews and focus groups with survivors of sexual assault, as well as input from nurses, social workers, advocates and advocacy organizations about barriers to seeking post-assault care. In addition, the study will allow researchers to develop and validate methods and survey measures.

The research findings may be used to improve and increase access to care and inform policy recommendations about nurse training standards (which vary by state) and economic policies and programs for sexual assault survivors generally and minoritized survivors specifically.