The Utility of the Expert Witness in a Rape Case: Reconsidering Rape Trauma Syndrome

McGowan, Mila Green; Helms, Jeffrey L.

doi:10.1300/j158v03n01_05

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…As in previous reports among women refugees [10,20], likelihood of PTSD and depression was greater for women reporting rape and other warrelated exposures years after their initial arrival to the host country, even after adjusting for age and sociodemographic factors. The potential for long-lasting symptoms after sexual violence and rape has been described in the Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS) [21], a nomenclature used to describe post-traumatic stress symptoms that arise from sexual assault not usually diagnosed in PTSD, including sexual dysfunction, long-term depression, fear, anxiety, social maladjustment, and humiliation [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conflict-related violence and mental health among self-settled Democratic Republic of Congo female refugees in Kampala, Uganda – a respondent driven sampling survey

et al. 2021

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Background Violence and traumatic events are highly prevalent among refugees, but less is known about the impact of these experiences among self-settled refugees in the country of asylum. We evaluated the association between traumatic experiences and PTSD and depression symptoms among female Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) refugees living in Kampala, Uganda. Methods Participants were recruited using respondent driven sampling in one refugee service center in Kampala, Uganda. Eligibility criteria included: Congolese nationality, age 18+ years, self-settled in Kampala for at least 6 months, refugee status or documentation of application for refugee status. Only data from female participants were included in this analysis. Depression symptoms were screened with the Patient Health Questionnaire-2, and symptom criteria for PTSD and traumatic experiences were evaluated with the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. Logistic regression models were performed to separately assess associations between mental health outcomes (PTSD and depression), rape and non-sexual violence. Results Five hundred eighty women with a mean age of 33 years were interviewed. Among participants, 73% (95% CI:67–78%) met symptom criteria for PTSD, 57% (95% CI: 51–63%) for depression, and 65% reported thoughts of ending one’s life. 79% of women reported experience of rape, for over half (54%) it occurred more than once, and 82% were gang raped. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) show that PTSD was most strongly associated with being raped (OR = 2.43, p < 0.01), lacking shelter (OR = 2.86, p < 0.01), lacking food or water (OR = 2.53, p = 0.02), lacking access to health care (OR = 2.84, p < 0.01), forced labor (OR = 2.6, p < 0.01), extortion and/or robbery (OR = 3.08, p < 0.01), experiencing the disappearance/kidnapping of a family member or friend (OR = 2.72, p < 0.01), and witnessing the killing or murder of other people (OR = 3.28, p < 0.01). Depression was significantly associated with several traumatic experiences including rape (OR = 2.3, p = 0.01), and experiencing the disappearance/kidnapping of a child or spouse (OR = 1.99, p = 0.01). Conclusions Refugee women self-settled in Kampala reported high lifetime experiences of violence and traumatic events including rape, as well as high rates of PTSD and depression. Future programming addressing self-settled refugees and their settlement in host countries may benefit from including local and national integration strategies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conflict-related violence and mental health among self-settled Democratic Republic of Congo female refugees in Kampala, Uganda – a respondent driven sampling survey

et al. 2021

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“…We are also keenly aware that a prosecutor's job is to best determine which cases have the greatest chance of being successful and then to pursue those cases. The use of expert testimony as it pertains to rape trauma syndrome and posttraumatic stress disorder following a sexual assault is controversial at best and continues to be argued in state courts (McGowan & Helms, 2003;Trowbridge, 2004). We wonder if using expert testimony might be helpful and see that as an area for future research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advocates Speak Out on Adult Sexual Assault: A Unique Crime Demands a Unique Response

Murphy

Banyard

Maynard

et al. 2011

Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma

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“…Although the diagnosis of PTSD has been useful in forensic situations as a scientifically valid description of the impact of sexual assault (Boeschen et al, 1998), the PTSD conceptualization has been criticized for failing to capture the complexity of victims' responses to sexual assault (Koss et al, 2003;McGowan & Helms, 2003). In addition to PTSD, sexual assault might lead to a range of disabling problems, including depression, suicidality, substance abuse, sexual dysfunction, physical health outcomes, and changes in core beliefs about one's self and the world.…”

Section: Emotional and Psychological Sequelae Of Sexual Assaultmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychological Knowledge in Court

Young¹,

Nicholson²,

Kane³

2006

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The Utility of the Expert Witness in a Rape Case: Reconsidering Rape Trauma Syndrome

Cited by 6 publications

References 7 publications

Conflict-related violence and mental health among self-settled Democratic Republic of Congo female refugees in Kampala, Uganda – a respondent driven sampling survey

Conflict-related violence and mental health among self-settled Democratic Republic of Congo female refugees in Kampala, Uganda – a respondent driven sampling survey

Advocates Speak Out on Adult Sexual Assault: A Unique Crime Demands a Unique Response

Psychological Knowledge in Court

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