Supporting safe disclosure of sexual violence in healthcare settings: findings from a realist evaluation applying candidacy theory through a trauma-focused lens.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Most people who have experienced sexual violence (SV) will disclose the event(s) to someone. Key recipients of disclosure are those working in healthcare, and using sexual and reproductive health services can be an important step in accessing necessary medical care and being signposted to other services. Accessing this care and disclosing SV can be challenging. Evidence is lacking about how best to create a safe environment for disclosure to take place, how services can make changes to better facilitate this experience and what changes matter most.

Design

Realist evaluation.

Setting

Sexual and reproductive health settings.

Participants

1-1 interviews with service users who have disclosed SV (n=18), three focus groups with healthcare professionals and

SUBMITTER: Caswell RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12007058 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature