Physical and Psychological Health Following Military Sexual Assault


Book Description

This paper reviews data on the prevalence of sexual assault among servicemembers, predictors of disclosure, efforts to improve disclosure, victim needs and DoD efforts to provide necessary resources in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault. The authors compared civilian and DoD guidelines for care and found them to be generally consistent. However, little is known about the fidelity with which DoD recommendations are implemented.




Physical and Psychological Health Following Military Sexual Assault


Book Description

This paper reviews data on the prevalence of sexual assault among servicemembers, predictors of disclosure, efforts to improve disclosure, victim needs and DoD efforts to provide necessary resources in the immediate aftermath of a sexual assault. The authors compared civilian and DoD guidelines for care and found them to be generally consistent. However, little is known about the fidelity with which DoD recommendations are implemented.




Surviving Sexual Violence


Book Description

Victims of sexual assault experience their trauma in different ways, and often one path to recovery and healing is right for one person, but not right for another. While there are some general mental health effects of sexual violence, this book outlines and describes the impact of particular types of sexual violation. Whether the survivor has experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault during adulthood, marital rape, sexual harassment, sex trafficking, or sexual violence within the military, they will find aspects of her experience in these pages. Once survivors understand the ways in which they have been affected, they are introduced to various pathways to surviving sexual violence and moving forward. The chapters provide case examples and specific activities which give a fuller description of the ways survivors can make use of the particular approaches, which include mind-body practices, counseling, group therapies, self-defense training, and others. Anyone who has been a victim of sexual violence, or knows and cares about someone who has, will find relief in these pages, which offer practical approaches to finding balance and healing.




Treating Military Sexual Trauma


Book Description

AN EVIDENCE-BASED TEXT FOR UNDERSTANDING AND TREATING MST FROM MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES The incidence of sexual assault and harassment experienced by members of the U.S. Armed Forces has reached epidemic proportions. Its victims often suffer from devastating, lifelong consequences to their careers, health, relationships, and psychological well-being. This authoritative resource is written for mental health clinicians to help in understanding and treating military sexual trauma (MST). Based on a solid foundation of research and clinical expertise, it addresses the complex circumstances of victims of sexual abuse in the military and how clinicians can meet the unique challenges of treating these clients. The book describes how MST differs from other forms of military trauma such as combat, and discusses its prevalence, neurobiology, and social contexts as well as unique stressors of betrayal, injustice, struggles with issues of reporting and disclosure, and impact on relationships and sexuality. It reviews current evidence-based interventions and offers insights on treating specific symptoms within MST, such as PTSD, anxiety, substance abuse, sleep disorders, and sexual dysfunction. Chapters discuss how a variety of psychotherapies can be used to treat MST, including prolonged exposure, cognitive processing, EMDR, Seeking Safety, acceptance and commitment therapy, and somatic experiencing, as well as the Warrior Renew MST group therapy program. Clinicians who work with veterans and active duty personnel will find this book an essential guide to working with MST survivors. KEY FEATURES: Presents a comprehensive clinician's resource with contributions from top experts in the field on the topic of MST Describes how MST differs from other forms of trauma, necessitating specialized treatment Provides an overview of MST as well as information on evidence-based and emerging treatments




Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan


Book Description

Handbook of Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan is an official publication of the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan (NPEIV). It is a comprehensive state-of-the-science reference work for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. It is written from a trauma-informed perspective, and utilizes adverse childhood experiences research as its basic developmental framework along with the traumatic effects all forms of interpersonal violence tend to produce. With public health and social justice in mind, this human-rights based handbook also focuses on the overlap and continuum of the various types of interpersonal violence. It integrates all forms of interpersonal violence while dealing with key issues of intersectionality and systems responses. This two-volume handbook is published in collaboration with the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan, which aims to: Acknowledge and understand the impact interpersonal violence has on individuals and society Recognize the mental, physical, legal, social, and economic burden of interpersonal violence Respect an individual's basic right to live without violence; value human dignity Promote consensus-based practices while maintaining cultural sensitivity Consider and address the unique needs of vulnerable populations




Cognitive Processing Therapy for Rape Victims


Book Description

Sexual assault is a traumatic event from which many survivors never fully recover. They may develop a range of disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, poor self-esteem, interpersonal difficulties and sexual dysfunction. This volume provides insight into the effects of rape and explores a treatment approach that assists in the healing process.




Sexual Assault in the Military


Book Description

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights chose to focus on sexual assault in the U.S. military for its annual 2013 Statutory Enforcement Report. This report examines how the Department of Defense and its Armed Services-the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force (the Services)-respond to Service members who report having been sexually assaulted ("victims") and how it investigates and disciplines Service members accused of perpetrating sexual assault ("perpetrators"). This report also reviews how the military educates Service members and trains military criminal investigators and military lawyers about sexual assault offenses. The topic is both relevant and timely, as Congress is currently considering ways to address this issue. The Commission has authority to examine questions related to sexual assault in the military because the issues involve both sex discrimination and the denial of equal protection in the administration of justice.




Treating Survivors of Childhood Abuse and Interpersonal Trauma


Book Description

Now revised and expanded with 50% new content reflecting important clinical refinements, this manual presents a widely used evidence-based therapy approach for adult survivors of chronic trauma. Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) Narrative Therapy helps clients to build crucial social and emotional resources for living in the present and to break the hold of traumatic memories. Highly clinician friendly, the book provides everything needed to implement STAIR--including 68 reproducible handouts and session plans--and explains the approach's theoretical and empirical bases. The large-size format facilitates photocopying; purchasers also get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials. First edition title: Treating Survivors of Childhood Abuse: Psychotherapy for the Interrupted Life. New to This Edition *Reorganized, simplified sessions make implementation easier. *Additional session on emotion regulation, with a focus on body-based strategies. *Sessions on self-compassion and on intimacy and closeness in relationships. *Chapter on emerging applications, such as group and adolescent STAIR, and clinical contexts, such as primary care and telemental health. *Many new or revised handouts--now downloadable. *Updated for DSM-5 and ICD-11.




Treating the Trauma of Rape


Book Description

After reviewing the relevant treatment literature, the authors detail how to assess and treat PTSD using a cognitive-behavioral approach. Co mplete instructions are given for planning treatment, as well as for i ntroducing the patient to the various interventions. Nine exposure and stress management techniques are then detailed, including imaginal ex posure (trauma reliving), in vivo exposure, relaxation training, thoug ht-stopping, cognitive restructuring, covert modeling, and role-playin g. Enhancing the books clinical utility are numerous case examples il lustrating how to implement the techniques, as well as explanations of how to cope with common problems and complications in treatment. The final chapter presents detailed outlines of three suggested treatment programs.




Gender and PTSD


Book Description

Current research and clinical observations suggest pronounced gender-based differences in the ways people respond to traumatic events. Most notably, women evidence twice the rate of PTSD as men following traumatic exposure. This important volume brings together leading clinical scientists to analyze the current state of knowledge on gender and PTSD. Cogent findings are presented on gender-based differences and influences in such areas as trauma exposure, risk factors, cognitive and physiological processes, comorbidity, and treatment response. Going beyond simply cataloging gender-related data, the book explores how the research can guide us in developing more effective clinical services for both women and men. Incorporating cognitive, biological, physiological, and sociocultural perspectives, this is an essential sourcebook and text.