Mental health of sexual assault victims and predictors of their use of support from in-house psychologists at Belgian sexual assault care centres.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual assault (SA) can induce a negative impact on victims' mental health. Specialised SA services generally offer medical care and a forensic examination to SA victims. However, there is a large variation in how these services provide mental health support.

Objective

This study aims to assess mental health problems of SA victims attending the Belgian Sexual Assault Care Centres (SACCs) and identify predictors for victims' use of support from in-house psychologists.

Method

Health records of victims ≥ 16 years who presented within one week post-SA to one of the three Belgian SACCs between 25 October 2017 and 31 October 2019 were reviewed. An AIC-based stepwise backward binary logistic regression was used to analyse the association between victim, assault, s

SUBMITTER: Baert S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10569350 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature