RT Article
T1 Survivors’ Dating and Romantic Relationship Experiences Following Adult Sexual Violence: A Qualitative Interview Study
JF Victims & offenders
VO 19
IS 5
SP 888
OP 914
A1 Stockman, Dagmar
A2 Van Parys, Hanna
A2 De Mol, Jan
A2 Uzieblo, Kasia
A2 Littleton, Heather
A2 Keygnaert, Ines
A2 Lemmens, Gilbert
A2 Verhofstadt, Lesley
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1897091400
AB Survivors of adult sexual violence frequently encounter physical, reproductive, psychological and socio-economic difficulties in the aftermath of sexual violence. However, an in-depth understanding of survivor’s post-assault intimate relationship experiences is lacking. The aim of the current study was to gain a better understanding of survivors’ intimate dating and romantic relationship experiences following sexual violence. Fourteen sexual violence survivors (four men and ten women) completed a semi-structured interview regarding the psychosocial impact of sexual violence including how it affected their intimate relationships. Thematic analysis revealed several key themes including the decision to (temporarily) avoid intimate relationships, changes in the qualities survivors look for in a relationship, the space sexual violence takes up in the relationship, and the healing effects of being in a relationship. Having experienced sexual violence can affect survivors’ post-assault relationship experiences in multiple ways supporting a need for further work focused on understanding how to help survivors manage the relational impact of sexual violence.
K1 Trauma
K1 intimate relationships
K1 Sexual Violence
DO 10.1080/15564886.2024.2312468