Responding to Sexual Assault Victims: Considerations for College Counselors

Abstract

College counselors need to be informed of effective interventions when counseling students who have been sexually assaulted. This article applies research and theory from the general literature on counseling sexual assault victims to college counselors' work with this population. An overview of the effects of sexual assault is followed by specific implications for counseling students who have been sexually assaulted. e FBI estimates indicate that 1 in 4 women will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime (Heppner et al., 1995). O n college campuses,

Psychological Consequences Associated With Positive and Negative Responses to Disclosure of Sexual Assault Among College Women

“…Active practice of responding to sexual assault disclosure within sexual assault prevention programming may also minimize the likelihood students provide responses to disclosure—such as questioning the victim or pressing for details—that potentially harm the survivor. Practitioners on college campuses may also consider how best to adapt existing theoretically and empirically guided recommendations for college counselors on how to support a survivor of sexual assault (e.g., Krees, Trippany, & Nolan, 2003) to meet the needs of college students. Residential advisors, who frequently provide support to college students living in campus dormitories (Coulter, Offutt, & Mascher, 2003; Mathis & Lecci, 1999), may also benefit from training in how to respond effectively to disclosure of violence.…”

Supporting survivors of campus dating and sexual violence during COVID-19: A social work perspective

“…Dating and sexual victimization are associated with many negative effects, including increased risk for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, potential substance abuse, physical health consequences, and adverse impacts on academic performance (Abebe et al, 2018;Jordan et al, 2014;Krebs et al, 2016;Voth Schrag, 2017; White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, 2014). Such negative sequelae are addressed in the university setting with mental health services including individual and group counseling, educational programs to increase awareness and peer support, and case management for referral to legal and health care services (Kress et al, 2003). As such, IHE-employed social workers play a crucial role in responding to campusrelated DSV.…”

Shattering Silence: Exploring Barriers to Disclosure for African American Sexual Assault Survivors

“…Short-term symptoms typically included anxiety and arousal symptoms that were not present before the traumatic event, feelings of anger or worthlessness, depression with possible suicidal ideation, and decreases in self-esteem (Kress, Trippany, & Nolan, 2003). A woman's susceptibility of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like symptoms from increased anxiety and arousal can be based on past life experiences, age, and developmental maturity at time of trauma, genetic predisposition, and availability of support systems both prior to and following the sexual assault (Kress et al, 2003). Although 73%-82% of sexual assault victims experiencing trauma-related anxiety, only between 17% and 65% will develop PTSD (Campbell, Dworkin, & Cabral, 2009).…”