Providing Context for Social Workers’ Response to Sexual Assault Victims

Sharon B. Murphy, University of New Hampshire
Sharyn J. Potter, University of New Hampshire
Jennifer Pierce-Weeks, Forensic Nurse Examiner Program
Jane G. Stapleton, University of New Hampshire
Desiree Wiesen-Martin, University of New Hampshire
Kimberly G. Phillips, University of New Hampshire

Abstract

The authors sought to give voice to women victims of sexual assault whose stories otherwise remain muted. The study reported here provided rare insights into victims who sought emergency services at a hospital following a sexual assault. The data (N = 745) were collected by sexual assault nurse examiners in one northeastern state between 1997 and 2007.