Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis - Social Psychology Notes

1 Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Management Plan Harvard University 2 Sexual Assault and Rape Crisis Management Plan Sexual assault and rape are very traumatic situations that can hurt not only the mind and emotions but the health of survivors as well. These cases leave scars that can take months and even years to heal. Recent survey data show that assault is a problem that affects people from all backgrounds, and women in particular, who are more exposed to such risk. The crisis management plan that is discussed hereafter is about assistance to the 22-year-old female survivor who has been sexually assaulted. The focus is on the special problems she may experience during recovery. Along with other forms of violence, an incident of sexual violence becomes proof of the necessity of a specific program that aims at the reduction of trauma symptoms, the restoration of a sense of safety and trust, and increasing the survivor's resilience in the face of these traumatic experiences. The plan is to develop a step-by-step counselling procedure focused on a survivor's emotional restoration and well-being. Problem Definition Recurrent and distressing flashbacks of the assault triggered by specific reminders. Frequent nightmares related to the traumatic event lead to disrupted sleep patterns and daytime fatigue. Avoidance behaviours, such as actively avoiding situations or places associated with the assault to prevent distress. Hyperarousal symptoms include irritability, heightened startle response, and difficulty concentrating. General sense of fear and insecurity in daily life. Withdrawal from social activities and strained interpersonal relationships, particularly in intimate settings. 3 A pervasive sense of vigilance and wariness in interactions with others, reflecting the psychological impact of the traumatic experience. In the previously described example, the 22-year-old female client suffers from trauma-related disorders occurring after sexual assault. The victim goes through regressive and disturbing flashes of the assault that are, for the most part, retriggered by things like particular locations, odours or noises. Additionally, she noted that she experiences recurring nightmares from the ordeal, thus resulting in broken sleep patterns and exhaustion during waking hours. Avoidance action is also shown when the victim lies to himself by withdrawing from places or situations that bring pain. She has hyperarousal symptoms such as irritability, intensive startle response, and concentration problems, which lead to the fact of being constantly frightened and insecure. Relapsing into negativity and pessimism is followed by detachment from social activities and strains in interpersonal relationships, particularly in intimate settings, where establishing and maintaining trust is difficult (Banvard-Fox et al., 2020). The way she acts toward others corresponds with continuous caution and distrust in her thought process, suggesting that the severe trauma she went through affected her psychologically. Goal Development The primary goal is to facilitate the survivor's healing and empower her to regain a sense of safety and control over her life. Broad goals include: Reduce symptoms of anxiety and PTSD to improve daily functioning. Restore a sense of safety and trust in relationships. Increase self-esteem and promote resilience in coping with trauma triggers. Objective Construction 4 Objectives will be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to track progress effectively: Objective 1: Decrease the frequency of flashbacks and nightmares by 50% within three months. Objective 2: Engage in trauma-focused therapy sessions twice weekly for three months. Objective 3: Participate in a support group for survivors of sexual assault for ongoing emotional support. Intervention Creation Adopt cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a trauma-focused approach to deal with and reframe traumatic experiences. Teach relaxation techniques (e.g., breathing techniques, progressive muscle relaxation) that would assist in dealing with anxiety symptoms. Give psychological education on trauma to the survivor to guide his or her experience and reduce self-blame. Explanation Strategies are specific for reaching the client's goals and needs. First, the trauma-focused cognitive behavioural approach (CBT) will be used to enable the survivor to regulate and reframe traumatic experiences that result in diminished emotional impact. Moreover, calming techniques, including deep breathing and muscle relaxation, will be taught to relieve anxiousness and boost the feeling of serenity. Psychoeducation about trauma and its impact on mental health would also be provided to normalize the experience of the survivor, minimize the self-blame and establish knowledge of the recovery process (O'Doherty et al., 2023). Such interventions seek to give the survivor better coping techniques as well as a deeper understanding of the nature of her emotional reactions, thereby enabling her to recover from the traumatizing event fully. 5 Diagnosis Determination The diagnosis of the patient is a 22-year-old female survivor of sexual assault transmitted with PTSD DSM-5 symptoms. A range of studies indicates that the number of PTSD cases among survivors of sexual assault is comparable with the traumatic war experiences, which is proven to result in severe mental health problems like PTSD. Symptoms exhibited by the client, like extreme abnormal fear and anxiety or the cases of flashbacks and nightmares typical for post-traumatic PTSD, include avoidance behaviours, emotional numbness, and constant hypervigilance (Farahi & McEachern, 2021). Such diagnosis is essential to create a preferred treatment that considers the particular needs and difficulties of the survivors in the way they overcome this terrible incident. In conclusion, the crisis management plan hinges on this concept of a fine-tuned and research-based approach for sexual assault and rape survivors. In the course of providing individualized services, which imply dealing with survivors' particular needs and symptoms, such as anxiety, PTSD and interpersonal relationship difficulties, we help to heal and build up resilience. The recovery from sexual trauma is a complex and complicated long-term process that requires careful monitoring, understanding, patience and collaboration. Through trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dispelling awareness lectures, and participation in a support group, survivors would be able to learn how to manage their lives and gain back their sense of empowerment and dominance. Moving on, the research and advocacy continue, and the resources, as well as the support system of the survivors, should be improved as possible to reduce greatly the sexual violence happening in our communities. 6 References Banvard-Fox, C., Linger, M., Paulson, D. J., Cottrell, L., & Davidov, D. M. (2020). Sexual assault in adolescents. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice, 47(2), 331–349. Farahi, N., & McEachern, M. (2021). Sexual assault of women. American Family Physician, 103(3), 168–176. O'Doherty, L., Whelan, M., Carter, G. J., Brown, K., Tarzia, L., Hegarty, K., ... & Brown, S. J. (2023). Psychosocial interventions for survivors of rape and sexual assault experienced during adulthood. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (10).