Current Trends in Psychological Assessment and Treatment Approaches for Survivors of Sexual Trauma

Female survivors of sexual trauma are vulnerable to a wide range of psychological consequences (see the VAWnet document entitled The Psychological Consequences of Sexual Trauma). Because some psychological symptoms may be long lasting and severe, treating them at the earliest point in time may reduce the duration and severity of distress. Therefore, this document provides a review and critique of current trends in mental health assessment and treatment for sexual trauma survivors with an emphasis on early intervention. Treatment approaches covered in this paper are restricted to psychotherapy. The body of literature on pharmacological approaches for symptoms common among survivors is sufficient for a separate document. Although trained professionals must administer most of the techniques, all individuals working with or for survivors may benefit from knowledge in this area. The term sexual trauma is used in this paper to refer to distress resulting from experiencing one or more sexual violations. Clinical observations have revealed that some survivors do not label their experiences as rape or assault due to the absence of force or previous relationships with the perpetrator. For some individuals, the term sexual trauma more accurately describes their perceptions, highlighting the lasting impact of the event on their lives. Specific terms for sexual violence (e.g., assault and abuse) are used when research findings on specific types of violations are presented.