Citation

Brown R, Du Mont J, MacDonald S, Bainbridge D. J. Forensic Nurs. 2013; 9(2): 76-83.

Affiliation

Author Affiliations: 1Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto 2Women's College Research Institute, Women's College Hospital, 3Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, 4 Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre at Women's College Hospital, 5Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto, and 6Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres in Ontario.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, International Association of Forensic Nurses, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1097/JFN.0b013e31828106df

PMID

24158128

Abstract

Sexual assault is a common and serious health issue that is underreported and has low follow-up rates. The myriad of psychological sequelae of sexual assault are well documented; however, there is a dearth of literature on the prevalence of preexisting mental health issues in survivors of sexual assault. This exploratory study compares victims seen at a sexual assault treatment center with and without preexisting self-reported mental health histories. The rates of preexisting mental illness in sexual assault victims are significant. Implications for clinical practice and research are discussed.

Language: en