Sexual Violence and Maternity Care - version 1.0

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Understanding the pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood experiences and needs of survivors of adulthood sexual violence and abuse

  • IRAS ID

    263099

  • Contact name

    Siofra Peeren

  • Contact email

    siofra.peeren@kcl.ac.uk

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 3 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    This research forms part of a PhD in Health Services and Population Research.

    Background:

    Pregnancy and birth can be distressing for survivors of sexual violence, who may have additional needs when receiving maternity care. So far, existing research has focused on the maternity care, pregnancy and parenting experiences and needs of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Less is known about the needs of survivors of adulthood sexual violence and abuse. The dynamics of childhood sexual abuse and adulthood sexual abuse are different and both experiences need to be understood separately in order to provide appropriate care.

    Aim:

    This study aims to understand the pregnancy, birth and early motherhood experiences and needs of survivors of sexual violence and abuse in adulthood. I aim to speak to women who have experienced sexual violence since the age of 16 (as this is the legal age of consent in the UK), and who have had a pregnancy since their experience of sexual violence, about their experiences of pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood.

    Method:

    Interviews will be face-to-face and lasting approximately 90 minutes.
    Participants will only participate in one interview. They will be recruited through various methods, including maternity services, specialist sexual violence support centres, and an open call. Interviews will take place in a private location of the participant’s choosing. Preferably this would be a private room in a public place (e.g. a room in a service). However, the location could be their home if this is deemed safe and appropriate by the study team.
    Individual interviews will be audio recorded and transcribed by the student. The student will analyse the data using narrative analysis.

  • REC name

    London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/LO/0896

  • Date of REC Opinion

    2 Sep 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion