Citation

Chandra PS, Deepthivarma S, Carey MP, Carey KB, Shalinianant MP. Psychiatry 2003; 66(4): 323-334.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Guilford Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14964694

PMCID

PMC2430935

Abstract

THIS STUDY used qualitative research methods to investigate the problem of sexual coercion among female psychiatric patients in India. Consecutive female admissions (n = 146) to the inpatient unit of a psychiatric hospital in southern India were screened regarding coercive sexual experiences. Women who reported coercion (n = 50; 34%) participated in a semi-structured interview to learn more about their experiences. Among these women, 24 (48%) reported that the perpetrator was their spouse, 13 (26%) identified a friend or acquaintance, and 10 (20%) identified a relative such as an uncle or cousin. Most experiences occurred in the women's homes. Thirty of the 50 coerced women (60%) reported that they had not disclosed their experience to anyone, and that they had not sought help. Women revealed a sense of helplessness, fear, and secrecy related to their experiences. The problem of sexual coercion is seldom addressed in mental health care in India; the prevalence and severity of such experiences warrant immediate clinical attention and continued research.

Language: en