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Providing Treatment and Support for Partners of Sexual-Assault Survivors

NCJ Number
112095
Journal
Psychotherapy Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 94-98
Author(s)
L J Cohen
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
An open-ended support group for husbands and boyfriends of sexual assault victims was an effective intervention and provided normative information to the men about their reactions to the rape.
Abstract
The group was an outgrowth of a victim's support group. The group met weekly for 2 hours; 2 to 6 men attended each session, and 15 attended once or twice over 5 months. Major themes expressed by the men during sessions included frustration, concern, anger, helplessness, empathy, and insight. Many of the men expressed anger against both the victim and the offender. For many, the sexual assault forced them to examine their own attitudes toward violence and masculinity. Information on the effects of sexual victimization helped the men understand their partners' symptoms and deal with issues of sex, intimacy, and control within the relationship. Preliminary clinical experience suggests that support groups for partners can provide a means to help them gain insight into the situation, become more empathic, learn new coping strategies, and explore new ways of interacting with their partners. As a result of participation, group members felt less anxious, depressed, and alone and were able to improve their relationships. 11 references.