title: The Survivor Master Narrative in Sexual Assault.
abstract: This article is based on data drawn from 90 Victoria Police operational files covering the period 2004-2008. Several thematic responses by sexual assault survivors are described as forming a master narrative of "identity shock." It is argued that the "minor/serious" sexual assault legal distinction is meaningless to survivors and conceals a shared felt experience. It is also argued that sexual assault is fundamentally a "public issue" of betrayal of citizen trust--not just a collection of "private troubles"--and that effective resolutions require more than individualized therapeutic and criminal justice measures.
authors.affiliation: New Age People, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia newagepeople@optusnet.com.au.
authors.forename: Shane D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Muldoon
authors.affiliation: Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: S Caroline
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Norma
mesh_terms: D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement / Q000941:ethics / Q000379:methods; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D033262:Narration; D011640:Public Policy; D011902:Rape / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D012946:Social Welfare; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: attrition; criminal justice; delayed reporting; non-disclosure; police; public issues and private troubles; sexual assault/rape; trauma/shock; victims/survivors