Mitigating Vulnerability in Individuals with Mental Health Problems to Sexual Assault

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Sexual violence is a pressing social problem with victims of sexual assault having to cope with physical and psychological consequences (Welch & Mason, 2007). Contrary to common beliefs, perpetrators of sexual assault are rarely strangers, but whom the victims know and trust (Eichenberg, Becker-Fischer, & Fischer, 2010; Mason & Lodrick, 2013). It is crucial to note that for sexual assault to occur, it does not necessarily involve violent force (Mason & Lodrick, 2013). Findings also suggest that sex offenders are more likely to target individuals with mental health problems (Campbell, Keegan, Cybulska, & Forster, 2007; Creighton & Jones, 2012). Creighton and Jones (2012) described these individuals as vulnerable, that is due to individual variables such as their psychological well-being interacting with the environment, they are more susceptible to harm, in this case becoming targets to sexual assault. Unfortunately, there is dearth in research concerning preventive interventions specified to mitigate this vulnerability in individuals with mental health problems. To establish the pertinence of this issue, this essay will review research that demonstrate the link between mental health problems and vulnerability to sexual assault, as well as discuss possible preventive interventions for psychologists to integrate into practice to mitigate this vulnerability.
There is limited research on the prevalence of psychological and psychiatric history of sexual assault victims, much less preventive interventions addressing their vulnerability to sexual assault. However, findings from the few research are enough to reason for further inquiry into the connection. Campbell, Keegan, Cybulska, and Forster (2007) found that of the 121 female patient...

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...Limited.
Mason, F., & Lodrick, Z. (2013). Psychological consequences of sexual assault. Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 27, 27–37.
Rothman, E., & Silverman, J. (2007). The effect of a college sexual assault prevention program on first-year students’ victimization rates. Journal of American College Health, 55(5), 283–290.
The Stern Review. (2010). A report by Baroness Vivien Stern CBE of an independent review into how rape complaints are handled by public authorities in England and Wales. London: Government Equalities Office and Home Office.
Welch, J., & Mason, F. (2007). Rape and sexual assault. BMJ, 334, 1154–1158.
Tuisku, V., Pelkonen, M., Kiviruusu, O., Karlsson, L., Ruuttu, T., & Marttunen, M. (2009). Factors associated with deliberate self-harm behaviour among depressed adolescent outpatients. Journal of Adolescence, 32, 1125–1136.

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