Sexual assault within intimate partner violence: impact on helpseeking in a national sample.
Within intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual assault is often subsumed under the heading of physical abuse, but evidence suggests qualitative differences in outcomes when both types of abuse occur. This study explores the cumulative effect of sexual assault and physical abuse by a current or former intimate partner on helpseeking. Using a dataset of 1,072 IPV victims from 8 states, we found that women who had experienced sexual assault in addition to physical abuse (44%) used more help, but were also more likely to say that they did not seek help when they needed it. Among those who were aware of services, fear was the greatest obstacle to reaching out for help. Implications include the need for information on best practices in addressing the sequelae of both physical and sexual assault in victim service agencies.
Cattaneo
Lauren Bennett
LB
Department of Psychology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. lcattane@gmu.edu
DeLoveh
Heidi L M
HL
Zweig
Janine M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011581:Psychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012648:Self Care; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult