Tips For Sexual Abuse Victims

Many survivors of sexual abuse feel uncomfortable having healthcare providers of the opposite sex perform intimate procedures or see certain parts of their bodies. For some, having a male gynecologist can be particularly distressing and may trigger painful memories or further trauma. The medical community needs to be more sensitive to the needs and concerns of sexual abuse survivors and make reasonable efforts to accommodate their preferences.

You have the right to express your preference for a same-sex healthcare provider for intimate medical care. Don't let medical professionals intimidate you or discourage you from speaking up about your concerns.

Below, we have listed some tips to help you request a same-sex medical team.

1) Be firm and clear about your preferences for a same-sex medical team and your expectations regarding modesty and privacy.

2) If a hospital cannot accommodate your request for same-sex medical care, look into another hospital nearby that may be better able to respect your preferences for privacy and modesty.

3) Tell the medical providers that based on your life experience you find it degrading and humiliating to be subjected to opposite gender care and refuse treatment. Put it in writing. Get a letter from a licensed psychologist stating that exposing you against your will is an assault and that you are competent and that your healthcare decisions are supported by the therapist. Make sure you find a psychologist who is sensitive to your needs and agree that you should be able to get the same gender care. (Contributed By: Belinda Diamond)

4) Be vocal and assertive when advocating for your needs. Always speak up if something makes you feel uncomfortable or compromises your privacy or modesty. For example, if you feel that an examination room does not provide adequate privacy, explain your concerns and ask the staff to address them before proceeding.

5) Remember that you have the right to express your needs and decline an examination or procedure. Putting your wishes in writing and asking your healthcare providers to acknowledge them can help ensure they are taken seriously. One sexual abuse survivor gave her letter to the nurse in a sealed envelope and asked her to share it with the physician. After researching her providers beforehand, she was pleasantly surprised by their positive responses. She found that using the letter made a significant difference compared with explaining her concerns verbally. Here is a sample letter you can use.

Special Thanks to Belinda Diamond, Writer/Researcher psycho social aspects of medical care that are detrimental to sound mental health; patient advocacy training for victims of sexual assault who has contributed to some of the information on this web page.

** Check out the testimony of a sexual abuse survivor Medical Patient Modesty helped to take steps to ensure she had an all-female staff for the birth of her baby. **