Thesis (doctoral)--Universiteit te Amsterdam, 1892. / Errata slip inserted. Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Research supports the notion that sexual and physical assault history is associated with the use of self-protective strategies. One shortcoming in this area of research is the reliance on dichotomous (yes-no) measures of assault as opposed to number of experiences. The aim of this study was to determine if the number of sexual and physical assaults experienced is associated with self-protection behaviors, controlling for general safety concerns. Women (N = 293) completed measures of sexual and physical assault, self-protective behaviors, fear, and safety concerns using a web based survey. Contrary to expectations, sexual and physical assault (and the interactive effect of these variables) were not related to self-protective behaviors. However, safety concerns and overall fear were positively associated with the use of self-protective behaviors. These findings have implications for the creation of interventions aimed at victims of crime.

No description available.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S. in Operations Research)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2008. / Thesis Advisor(s): Nussbaum, Daniel A. "December 2008." Description based on title screen as viewed on February 2, 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p. 77). Also available in print.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Heidelberg, 1912. / Includes bibliographical references (p. [vii]-viii).

Thesis (doctoral)--Friedrich-Alexander-Universität zu Erlangen.

This is a qualitative investigation into women’s awareness of sexual violence during emerging adulthood. Sexual violence refers to any sexual act that is experienced as a threat or violation and takes away an individual’s ability to control intimate contact (Adams, 2005). Current estimates suggest that one in six adult women in the United States has been the victim of rape or attempted rape in her life (Department of Justice, 2015). Women in emerging adulthood (18-28 years old) are three to four times more likely than all women to experience sexual assault, and sexual violence is more prevalent than other crimes on college campuses (Cantor, Fisher, Chinball, Townsend, Lee, 2015). Given the ubiquity of sexual violence, some researchers (e.g., Brison, 2002; Adams, 2005) have argued that the threat of sexual violence harms women. There is a growing body of literature, essays, documentaries, and news reports documenting college women’s experiences of sexual assault. However, the dearth of empirical psychological literature on the impact of women’s knowledge of the possibility of sexual violence impacts them has implications for practitioners and researchers working with women affected by sexual violence. Therefore, a phenomenological approach using semi-structured individual interviews was used in this qualitative investigation of how women in emerging adulthood are aware of the possibility of sexual violence. The study was guided by the following questions 1. How do women in emerging adulthood encounter sexual violence in their lives? 2. How are women in emerging adulthood taught to think about, prepare for, and deal with unwanted sexual encounters? 3. What social forces perpetuate rape culture? Six women in emerging adulthood and enrolled in university courses were interviewed for this study. During the interview process, participants described how they learned about sexual violence, how they think about it in the present day, how their awareness impacts their movement in the world, and how sexual violence impacts their relationships with others. The content of the interviews was analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as described by Smith, Flowers, and Larkin (2009). Results from the data analysis yielded four superordinate themes: (a) Lack of dialogue about sexual violence, (b) Living with the possibility of sexual assault, (c) Discrepant understandings of sexual violence, and (d) Sexual assault and interpersonal relationships. These themes reflect an awareness of sexual violence that is informed by dominant representations of what sexual assault looks like. Participants’ narratives reflect the struggle of trying to understand their own experiences of sexual violation in a culture that represents narrow depictions of what counts as sexual violence. The participants also expressed hope and optimism for change in the future.

ABSTRACT Introduction The health system is struggling with the implementation of a comprehensive and systematic approach to post rape management and HIV prevention, Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an intervention programme implemented at a rural hospital. Methods The study was conducted in Acornhoek from March 2004 - August 2006. A five-part intervention was introduced, that included centralisation and coordination of post rape care; implementing a hospital rape management policy; a 2 day training workshop for HCW; engaging a broader group of stakeholders and raising community awareness. Three hundred and sixty five of 409 rape survivor patient records were reviewed to assess changes in quality of care of (Voluntary Counselling and Testing) VCT, Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) and Emergency Contraception (EC). One hundred and fifteen clients were followed up to assess clients perceptions of quality of care and their adherence to PEP treatment. Key informant interviews were conducted with 19 service providers to assess whether the intervention had any impact on VCT, PEP and EC services. Results There were improvements in HCW knowledge: when to prescribe EC (22.7% vs. 79.0% OR 12.4 CI 2.5- 60.7); correct prescription of EC (10.3% vs. 61.9%; OR 12.5 CI 2.7-55.8 P<0.001) and use of anti-emetics (17.2% vs. 36.9% P<0.001). VCT services were provided more consistently at the first visit during Phase 2 compared to the Phase 1 (44.1% vs. 59.6% P<0.001). In the Post-Intervention phase 28 day PEP was introduced, thus minimising return visits. Conclusions Improvements in knowledge of the use of EC were greater than improvements in knowledge about the correct use of PEP. There are systematic obstacles to providing VCT and PEP which are difficult to address. One of the repeatedly cited obstacles was the shortage of trained VCT providers. The improvement of sexual assault services hinges on demonstrable commitment from senior management officials to providing good quality post rape care.