"...and he raped her. When he was gone she called 911 and the police came and took her to the hospital. And then something remarkable happened. She was treated with sensitivity and great care by people whose only duties were to look after her...explaining what was happening...giving her back her sense of dignity and safety..." Anna Quindlen, The New York Times, October 19, 1994. The words of journalist Anna Quindlen awakened the sleeping consciences of governments, hospitals and health professionals who care for survivors of sexual assault. Although health care providers are usually the first to treat rape survivors, they are often unaware of the trauma that presents before them and can unintentionally re-victimize the survivor. The care a survivor receives after an assault can have a positive impact on her mental and physical health. Yet, there is another important outcome--the effective prosecution and conviction of rapists. In the past five years the author has developed a curriculum that incorporates experiential and didactic learning, educating nearly 500 health care professionals with community involvement at every level of the educational process. The Department of Health and Division of Criminal Justice Services in New York were among early collaborators, providing consultation and funds for program implementation. Community law enforcement, rape cris programs, hospitals and prosecutors continue to be active participants, both as learners and teachers in this comprehensive 40 hour course.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the historical issues concerning the treatment of rape survivors 2. Discuss five content areas necessary to prepare clinicans for assessing and treating sexual assault survivors. 3. Identify trauma-related curricular content for health professionals 4. Describe community participation in planning and implementing the training program
Keywords: Sexual Assault, Training
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.