Safe and supported disclosure of sexual violence and abuse V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a framework to improve safe and supported disclosure of sexual violence and abuse by adults within sexual health services: A Realist Evaluation
IRAS ID
266583
Contact name
Rachel Caswell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Developing a framework to improve safe and supported disclosure of sexual violence and abuse by adults within sexual health services: A Realist Evaluation
Sexual violence is commonplace and known to have significant harmful psychological, physical and social consequences. Despite this, most adults who are raped or abused do not disclose what has happened and seek help. There is help available and one place within the NHS where free and confidential can be accessed are sexual health services. These services are for people of all ages, gender and sexual orientations.
The current study is a NHS funded PhD project designed in cooperation with Umbrella Sexual Health services, part of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, and the study will include NHS sites in London, Birmingham and Devon. Healthcare staff respond to disclosure of sexual violence and offer an individualised response. Immediate medical care (sexual transmitted infection testing, emergency contraception, hepatitis B vaccination, prophylactic HIV medications) as well as referring for psychological and forensic support is offered. National guidelines exist for Sexual Health clinics to follow for this patient group (https://www.bashhguidelines.org/media/1079/4450.pdf).
A review of the literature shows little is known about the reasons why certain groups of people find it more challenging than others to disclose sexual violence. Little is also known how sexual health services might respond better to support particular groups in safe and supportive disclosure. This study's objective is to improve safe and supported disclosure of sexual violence and abuse by adults in sexual health services and to understand needs of particular patient groups. Interviews with adults who've experienced sexual assault, focus groups with professionals working with these adults, observation of non-clinical environment and interaction, combined with a literature review will be used. As this is a complex health situation a realist approach has been selected.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/WM/0297
Date of REC Opinion
8 Oct 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion