Sexual Assault and Rape for Healthcare Professionals

Course overview

Survivors of rape and sexual assault will experience a variety of physical and emotional comorbidities as a direct result of their experience. This means survivors will enter the healthcare system through a variety of specialty clinics in addition to their primary care provider. It is important healthcare providers of all disciplines be familiar with the signs that a patient may have been raped or sexually assaulted in their past. By asking the right questions, medical intervention can be initiated in a timely manner and help the survivor heal emotionally and physically. This course will review the legal aspects of rape and sexual assault, the emotional and physical trauma associated with the experience, and how to identify and care for survivors.