title: From Survivor to Thriver: A Pilot Study of an Online Program for Rape Victims.
abstract: Approximately 15% to 20% of women have been victims of rape and close to a third report current rape-related PTSD or clinically significant depression or anxiety. Unfortunately, very few distressed rape victims seek formal help. This suggests a need to develop alternative ways to assist the many distressed victims of sexual violence. Online treatment programs represent a potentially important alternative strategy for reaching such individuals. The current paper describes a pilot evaluation of an online, therapist-facilitated, self-paced cognitive behavioral program for rape victims. Five college women with current rape-related PTSD were recruited to complete the From Survivor to Thriver (S to T) program in a lab setting over the course of 7 weeks. After completing the program, 4 participants reported clinically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and no longer met criteria for PTSD. All participants reported clinically significant reductions in vulnerability fears and 4 reported significant reductions in negative trauma-related cognitions. Implications of the results for further development of the S to T program and how clinicians could utilize this program in treating rape-related PTSD are discussed.
authors.affiliation: East Carolina University.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Littleton
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buck
authors.forename: Lindsey
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosman
authors.forename: Amie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grills-Taquechel
keywords: cognitive-behavioral therapy; online treatment; sexual assault; web-based therapy