Venetia Clarke1, Andrea Goddard1,2, Kaye Wellings3, Raeena Hirve4, Marta Casanovas5, Susan Bewley4, Russell Viner6, Tami Kramer5, Sophie Khadr7,8,9. 1. The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK. 2. Department of Paediatrics, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, W2 1NY, UK. 3. Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK. 4. Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, c/o 10th Floor North Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7NH, UK. 5. Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, 7th Floor Commonwealth Building, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK. 6. Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 3EH, UK. 7. The Havens Sexual Assault Referral Centres, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 9RS, UK. sophie.khadr@nhs.net. 8. Department of Women and Children's Health, King's College London, c/o 10th Floor North Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7NH, UK. sophie.khadr@nhs.net. 9. Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 3EH, UK. sophie.khadr@nhs.net.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe medium-term physical and mental health and social outcomes following adolescent sexual assault, and examine users' perceived needs and experiences. METHOD: Longitudinal, mixed methods cohort study of adolescents aged 13-17 years recruited within 6 weeks of sexual assault (study entry) and followed to study end, 13-15 months post-assault. RESULTS: 75/141 participants were followed to study end (53% retention; 71 females) and 19 completed an in-depth qualitative interview. Despite many participants accessing support services, 54%, 59% and 72% remained at risk for depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders 13-15 months post-assault. Physical symptoms were reported more frequently. Persistent (> 30 days) absence from school doubled between study entry and end, from 22 to 47%. Enduring mental ill-health and disengagement from education/employment were associated with psychosocial risk factors rather than assault characteristics. Qualitative data suggested inter-relationships between mental ill-health, physical health problems and disengagement from school, and poor understanding from schools regarding how to support young people post-assault. Baseline levels of smoking, alcohol and ever drug use were high and increased during the study period (only significantly for alcohol use). CONCLUSION: Adolescents presenting after sexual assault have high levels of vulnerability over a year post-assault. Many remain at risk for mental health disorders, highlighting the need for specialist intervention and ongoing support. A key concern for young people is disruption to their education. Multi-faceted support is needed to prevent social exclusion and further widening of health inequalities in this population, and to support young people in their immediate and long-term recovery.
PURPOSE: To describe medium-term physical and mental health and social outcomes following adolescent sexual assault, and examine users' perceived needs and experiences. METHOD: Longitudinal, mixed methods cohort study of adolescents aged 13-17 years recruited within 6 weeks of sexual assault (study entry) and followed to study end, 13-15 months post-assault. RESULTS: 75/141 participants were followed to study end (53% retention; 71 females) and 19 completed an in-depth qualitative interview. Despite many participants accessing support services, 54%, 59% and 72% remained at risk for depressive, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorders 13-15 months post-assault. Physical symptoms were reported more frequently. Persistent (> 30 days) absence from school doubled between study entry and end, from 22 to 47%. Enduring mental ill-health and disengagement from education/employment were associated with psychosocial risk factors rather than assault characteristics. Qualitative data suggested inter-relationships between mental ill-health, physical health problems and disengagement from school, and poor understanding from schools regarding how to support young people post-assault. Baseline levels of smoking, alcohol and ever drug use were high and increased during the study period (only significantly for alcohol use). CONCLUSION: Adolescents presenting after sexual assault have high levels of vulnerability over a year post-assault. Many remain at risk for mental health disorders, highlighting the need for specialist intervention and ongoing support. A key concern for young people is disruption to their education. Multi-faceted support is needed to prevent social exclusion and further widening of health inequalities in this population, and to support young people in their immediate and long-term recovery.
Authors: Carolyn Tucker Halpern; Mary L Young; Martha W Waller; Sandra L Martin; Lawrence L Kupper Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Sophie Khadr; Venetia Clarke; Kaye Wellings; Laia Villalta; Andrea Goddard; Jan Welch; Susan Bewley; Tami Kramer; Russell Viner Journal: Lancet Child Adolesc Health Date: 2018-07-19
Authors: Kirsten E MacGregor; Laia Villalta; Venetia Clarke; Russell Viner; Tami Kramer; Sophie N Khadr Journal: J Child Adolesc Ment Health Date: 2019-12