Characteristics and Psychological Consequences of Sexual Assault in Haiti

Deschamps, Marie Marcelle; Theodore, Harry; Christophe, Marie Irdnie; Souroutzidis, Ariadne; Meiselbach, Mark K.; Bell, Tatiana; Perodin, Christian; Anglade, Stravinsky Benedict; Dévieux, Jessy G.; Crémieux, Pierre‐Yves; Pape, Jean William

doi:10.1089/vio.2018.0005

Cited by 3 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(29 reference statements)

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“…Considering depressive symptoms, for example, female victims of sexual assault present a prevalence more than three times higher than other survivors. The few studies conducted among sexually assaulted women after the earthquake also showed that they present higher prevalence of traumatic consequences (Rahill et al ., 2015; Deschamps et al ., 2019). The results of the present study and previous research suggests that the consequences of enduring cumulative trauma can leave women more vulnerable to important traumatic consequences (Suliman et al ., 2009; Rahill et al ., 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The main issue in this case was the fact that women and girls lived in internally displaced persons camps, meaning they had no way to ensure their security, and this increased the probability of assault (Davis, 2010). However, traumatic consequences associated with sexual assault are poorly studied in Haiti (Cénat et al ., 2018; Deschamps et al ., 2019). The few studies that have been conducted have shown a significant association between sexual assault and mental health problems (Rahill et al ., 2015; Grelotti et al ., 2018; Deschamps et al ., 2019).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, traumatic consequences associated with sexual assault are poorly studied in Haiti (Cénat et al ., 2018; Deschamps et al ., 2019). The few studies that have been conducted have shown a significant association between sexual assault and mental health problems (Rahill et al ., 2015; Grelotti et al ., 2018; Deschamps et al ., 2019). However, no post-earthquake studies were conducted to examine the role of pre-earthquake sexual assaults on the mental health of women exposed to the earthquake.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Sexual victimization, PTSD, depression, and social support among women survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: a moderated moderation model

Cénat

Smith²,

Morse

et al. 2019

Psychol. Med.

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BackgroundIn 2010, an important earthquake devastated Haiti and caused thousands of deaths. In a social context where women are particularly vulnerable, this cross-sectional study examined the associations between sexual assaults experienced by women before the earthquake, the earthquake exposure, the traumatic consequences, and their satisfaction of social support received.MethodsA total of 660 women aged 18 to 86 completed questionnaires assessing exposure to the earthquake, sexual assault victimization, peritraumatic distress, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and social support. A moderated moderation model was computed to examine associations between exposure to the earthquake, sexual assault, social support, and traumatic consequences.ResultsResults showed that 31.06% of women were victims of sexual assault before the earthquake. They presented higher prevalence of peritraumatic distress, PTSD, and depression symptoms, compared to non-victims. The moderated-moderation model showed that sexual assault and exposure to the earthquake were positively associated with traumatic consequences (respectively, B = 0.560, p < 0.001; B = 0.196, p < 0.001), while social support was negatively associated with them (B = −0.095, p < 0.05). Results showed a triple interaction: women victim of sexual assault who were satisfied with received social support are less likely to develop traumatic consequences after being exposed to the earthquake(B = −0.141, p < 0.01).ConclusionsBy demonstrating the role of sexual assault in the development of mental health problems after the Haitian earthquake, this study shows the importance for clinicians to investigate interpersonal trauma experienced before or following natural disasters among survivors. Results also indicate the key role of family and communities to help survivors build resilience and coping strategies with their social support.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

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Sexual victimization, PTSD, depression, and social support among women survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: a moderated moderation model

Cénat

Smith²,

Morse

et al. 2019

Psychol. Med.

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“…Approximately one in eight Haitian women aged 15 to 49 have had a lifetime experience of sexual violence (l' Enfance and Program, 2018). A majority of female survivors who present for care post-assault report significant physical and psychological trauma, including the lack of an emotional response to the trauma, fear, and flashbacks (Deschamps et al, 2019). However, socioeconomic and environmental factors make seeking care difficult, and women assaulted by an acquaintance as well as younger victims are more likely to delay medical treatment (Deschamps et al, 2019).…”

Section: Sexual Violencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…A majority of female survivors who present for care post-assault report significant physical and psychological trauma, including the lack of an emotional response to the trauma, fear, and flashbacks (Deschamps et al, 2019). However, socioeconomic and environmental factors make seeking care difficult, and women assaulted by an acquaintance as well as younger victims are more likely to delay medical treatment (Deschamps et al, 2019). While Haitian law recognizes rape as a criminal act, insidious forms of sexual violence such as sexual harassment and intimate partner violence are not currently recognized as criminal acts.…”

Section: Sexual Violencementioning

confidence: 99%

“When It’s a Girl, They Have a Chance to Have Sex With Them. When It’s a Boy…They Have Been Known to Rape Them”: Perceptions of United Nations Peacekeeper-Perpetrated Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Against Women/Girls Versus Men/Boys in Haiti

2021

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Peacekeeping missions have been marred by reports of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) against local community members. However, there is limited research on how SEA against women/girls versus men/boys is perceived in peacekeeping host societies. In 2017 we collected micro-narratives in Haiti and then conducted a thematic analysis to understand how peacekeeper-perpetrated SEA was perceived by local community members comparing SEA against women/girls versus SEA against men/boys. Both male and female participants used language which suggested the normalization, in Haitian society, of both transactional sex with and rape of women/girls by UN personnel. In contrast, peacekeeper-perpetrated SEA against men/boys was viewed as unacceptable and was associated with homosexuality and related stigmatization. Overall, our results suggest that in Haiti, inequitable gender norms, the commodification of female sexuality, and homophobia result in SEA against males being recognized as a wrong that elicits outrage, while SEA against women/girls has been normalized. It is important to address the normalization of SEA against women/girls to prevent future violence and to recognize that SEA is also perpetrated against men/boys. Survivor-centered programs, sensitive to the needs of both male and female survivors, are required.

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A scoping review of how exposure to urban violence impacts youth access to sexual, reproductive and trauma health care in LMICs

Green

Swartz

Tembo

et al. 2022

Global Public Health

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Violence in the community can impact access to health care. This scoping review examines the impact of urban violence upon youth (aged 15–24) access to sexual and reproductive health and trauma care in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). We searched key electronic health and other databases for primary peer-reviewed studies from 2010 through June 2020. Thirty five of 6712 studies extracted met criteria for inclusion. They were diverse in terms of study objective and design but clear themes emerged. First, youth experience the environment and interpersonal relationships to be violent which impacts their access to health care. Second, sexual assault care is often inadequate, and stigma and abuse are sometimes reported in treatment settings. Third is the low rate of health seeking among youth living in a violent environment. Fourth is the paucity of literature focusing on interventions to address these issues. The scoping review suggests urban violence is a structural and systemic issue that, particularly in low-income areas in LMICs, contributes to framing the conditions for accessing health care. There is a gap in evidence about interventions that will support youth to access good quality health care in complex scenarios where violence is endemic.

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Characteristics and Psychological Consequences of Sexual Assault in Haiti

Cited by 3 publications

References 32 publications

Sexual victimization, PTSD, depression, and social support among women survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: a moderated moderation model

Sexual victimization, PTSD, depression, and social support among women survivors of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti: a moderated moderation model

“When It’s a Girl, They Have a Chance to Have Sex With Them. When It’s a Boy…They Have Been Known to Rape Them”: Perceptions of United Nations Peacekeeper-Perpetrated Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Against Women/Girls Versus Men/Boys in Haiti

A scoping review of how exposure to urban violence impacts youth access to sexual, reproductive and trauma health care in LMICs

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