The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #56360

Elizabeth M. Cohen, MPH, Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell, Inc., 144 Merrimack Street, Suite 304, Lowell, MA 01852, 978-452-7721, ecohen25@hotmail.com and Elaine J. Alpert, MD, MPH, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, T2W, Boston, MA 02118.

This presentation will describe an innovative new outreach program designed by Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell, MA that offers psycho-educational and support groups to women who are substance abusing and/or prostituted and are dealing with a history of sexual violence. By bridging gaps in service and taking a holistic approach to treating sexual assault survivors, we have been able to reach one of our most vulnerable populations. The public health community is just beginning to understand the inherent connections among substance abuse, sexual abuse and prostitution. Someone who is suffering from one of these issues will be more likely to suffer from another, if not both of the other conditions. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, approximately 60 % of women in treatment for substance abuse disclose a history of either child or adult sexual violence. Many women who enter into a life of prostitution have silently suffered for years from child and adult sexual violence. In addition drug use and prostitution have a complex relations. A study published in Sexual Assault Report found that 68% of women who were incarcerated for prostitution were prostituting in order to support their drug habit and 80% of subjects report that regular drug use led them to become prostituted. A description of activities, curriculums and collaborations that can be by other programs to reach survivors who are using substances and/or being prostituted will be provided

Learning Objectives:

• Learning Objectives:
• · Participants will understand the complex connections among sexual assault, substance abuse and prostitution
• · Participants will learn about an innovative program to reach out to survivors that can be replicated in a variety of community settings
• · Participants will gain insight into both the similarities and differences in the philosophy of violence prevention programs and substance abuse programs

Keywords: Sexual Assault, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am the executive director of the agency whose program I will be discussing