title: Treating the psychological sequelae of proactive drug-facilitated sexual assault: knowledge building through systematic case based research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) has emerged as a distinct category of sexual victimization and precipitates posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Few studies have examined the distinct psychological aspects of PTSD caused by DFSA. Gauntlett-Gilbert, Keegan and Petrak (2004) represent a notable exception and draw on cases, from their clinical experience, treated using Ehlers and Clarks' (2000) cognitive therapy (CT).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This paper aims to further develop and refine clinical knowledge on CT for PTSD arising from DFSA and advance the findings of Gauntlett-Gilbert et al. (2004).
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic case based research was used to investigate the applicability of CT for PTSD related to DFSA. Three survivors were treated with CT within the South African context.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The case series corroborated existing findings but also documented the presence of somatic and visual intrusions among survivors with partial or complete amnesia for rape and illustrated the utility of imagery interventions in targeting intrusions. The study highlighted the role of physical paralysis in DFSA in compounding helplessness/powerlessness and the necessity of enhancing physical agency and building social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Distinctive aspects of PTSD related to DFSA can be effectively treated by adapting CT to suit this population group.
authors.affiliation: Rhodes University, Psychology Department, Eastern Cape 6140, South Africa. a.unni@ru.ac.za
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Padmanabhanunni
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000777:Anesthetics; D001364:Awareness / Q000187:drug effects; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015897:Comorbidity; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D006380:Helplessness, Learned; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D019018:Imagery, Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology*; D012978:Sodium Oxybate; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D005445:Flunitrazepam; D012978:Sodium Oxybate