Running head: SEXUAL ASSAULT: THE EFFECT ON RELATIONSHIPS 1

Sexual Assault: The effect on relationships

Michael Korzeniewski

Mercyhurst University

Abstract

Sexual assault affects 300,000 to 700,000 people each year. Few seek medical treatment for

physical problems and even fewer for psychiatric issues. Left untreated, psychiatric issues can

affect the victim and their partner for years beyond the initial trauma. Medications are available

to help in the healing process but cannot remediate the problems on their own. Medications can

also exacerbate intimacy issues already present from the trauma. Cogitative

Behavior Therapy (CBT) is one of the most popular treatments for individuals, despite better

treatments that are available for couples. Conjoint therapy focuses on healing the couple and

allowing the partner to be the support person for the primary victim. This can provide for a

better relationship and a better family life particularly if children are part of the family unit.
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Medications combined with therapy, whether CBT, or conjoint therapy is the most effective

treatment options for survivors of sexual assault and their families. The first step in the healing

process is breaking the barrier and deciding to get psychiatric help.

Sexual Assault: The effect on relationships

Sexual Assault is estimated to effect 300,000 to 700,000 women each

year (Kwence, 2012). This number varies because it is estimated that the

majority of sexual assault is unreported. Of the estimated number of women

assaulted approximately 40,000 are seen for physical treatment in the

emergency department and fewer are seen for psychological treatment. The

actions of a sexual assault cannot be undone; however, the long-term effects

can be mitigated through therapy. Complications from this trauma are:

depression, anxiety, PTSD, sexual dysfunction and fear (Tambling, 2012).

These complications not only affect the victim but also affect the victims

partner.

Whether the victim is in a relationship at the time of the trauma does

not indicate that the future of their relationship will not be affected or any

future relationships the victim has (Tambling, 2012). If the victim is in a

relationship her partner may view her as damaged, not a strong partner or

unfaithful. This rejection can cause further psychological damage. For those

couples that stay together and do not blame or reject their partners various

obstacles are still faced. Most couples have decreased sexual activity

derived from the victims decrease in arousal, desire and pleasure from sex.

For male partner this creates tension in the relationship, wondering why if
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she loves him does she not want to engage in sexual activity. A lack of sex

and avoidance of the topic can lead to mistrust of the partner, even when

there is no evidence of infidelity.

A decrease in frequency of sexual activity is only one of the many

concerns that secondary victims have. Communication difficulties related to

the victims experience as well as the topic of sex, are also at the top of the

list (Sadler, Mengeling, Fraley, Torner, & Booth, 2012). Other concerns are

related to providing emotional support for their significant other as well as

the safety of their partner (Tambling, 2012). Communication barriers and the

inability to provide emotional support are the two issues that can devastate

an o. Couples that have an otherwise healthy relationship, leading to more

problems that are not directly related to the victims trauma.

Overcoming these obstacles is neither an easy task nor a quick one;

there is no medication that can fix the issue; however, there are those that

can help. Many victims either delay or never seek counseling, despite

evidence that shows mental health interventions as the best way for the

victim and their partner to return to a more normal functioning relationship

(Sadler et al., 2012). SSRIs are the medication that many practitioners

prescribe for victims. Used to treat depression, anxiety, and PTSD this class

of medication also have side effects that can make the victim question if it is

helping. SSRI side effects include lower libido, erectile dysfunction and a loss

of pleasure that is typically already present with victims following the assault

(Sadler, Mengeling, Fraley, Torner, & Booth, 2012). Cognitive behavioral

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therapy has been most effective in alleviating PTSD symptoms. However,

there is a better option for couples. Conjoint therapy addresses the

problems affecting the family unit and allows the partner to play a vital

support role for the primary victim; therapy focuses on communication, trust

and intimacy(Tambling, 2012). Therapy that excludes the partner works

contrary to the key tasks of healing both individually and as a couple

(Tambling, 2012, p. 396).

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References

Kwence, S. (2012, December 2012). Encountering the victim of sexual assault. Clinician

Reviews, 22(12), 16-20. Retrieved from

http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a0c14955-e115-4546-ba03-

5505bb53310a%40sessionmgr4007&vid=4&hid=4211

Sadler, A. G., Mengeling, M. A., Fraley, S. S., Torner, J. C., & Booth, B. M. (2012). Correlates of

sexual functioning in women veterans: Mental health, gynecologic health, health status,

and sexual assault history. International Journal Of Sexual Health, 24(1), 60-77.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19317611.2011.640388

Tambling, R. (2012). Solution-oriented therapy for survivors of sexual assault and their partners.

Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal,, 34(3), 391-401.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10591-012-9200-z