Intimate trauma involves one person’s intentional violation of another’s body. The impact of intimate trauma on the survivor is distinct from that experienced by those involved in collective traumas. Issues of traumatic sexualization, identity confusion, safety, and powerlessness, among others, abound in intimate—or sexual—trauma survivors. Layered responses to sexual trauma refer to those that are more visible, such as depression or PTSD, as well as others that may remain hidden, such as suicidal tendencies. Layered responses complicate the recovery process, demanding specialized skills and interventions specific to the needs of the sexual trauma survivor. These needs are influenced by the survivor’s gender, age, and culture. Appropriate interventions can have a positive impact on the quality of recovery for the client, while inappropriate interventions can have adverse effects, leading to potential legal and ethical issues. Thus, it is important that you are adequately trained and prepared to provide services to sexual trauma survivors.
For this Assignment, Read the case study Sandra located in this week’s resources. Think about the effects of the trauma on Sandra and the interventions you might use to help Sandra deal with those effects. Consider the cultural, ethical, and legal issues related to Sandra’s treatment.
Explain the effects of sexual trauma on Sandra.
Describe two specific interventions you might use to help Sandra deal with those effects.
Explain any cultural, ethical, and legal issues related to Sandra’s treatment.
Explain what might be different in the effects of the trauma and the interventions you might select if Sandra had been a male.
