Cervical screening for women who have experienced sexual violence

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Qualitative exploration of the therapeutic process facilitating appointments at the My Body Back cervical screening service for women who have experienced sexual violence.

  • IRAS ID

    313468

  • Contact name

    Ashleigh Madigan

  • Contact email

    ashleigh.madigan.2020@live.rhul.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London

  • Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

    N/A, N/A

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 11 months, 30 days

  • Research summary

    Attendance at cervical screenings is the most effective way to detect cervical cancer and improve chances of effective treatment. Research shows that women who have experienced sexual violence can experience barriers to attending cervical screenings. Barriers include the experience triggering traumatic memories, worries about disclosing the traumatic experience, or feelings of shame.

    This project will explore the experiences of women who have attended a specialist clinic for cervical screening for women who have experienced sexual violence. This specialist clinic offers a collaborative, supportive experience with specialist staff. The aim of these interviews is to explore the therapeutic processes of these appointments; to understand what processes facilitate and hinder these appointments to promote engagement, be beneficial to their wellbeing and reduce distress and retraumatising. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a sample of women who have attended a cervical screening appointment at the My Body Back project, with the hope to gain insight into their experiences of this clinical intervention.

  • REC name

    London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/LO/0451

  • Date of REC Opinion

    11 Aug 2022

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion