Early Psychological Intervention After Rape

Summary

Rape is a common cause of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women, as around 30-50% will develop PTSD in the aftermath of rape. A modified protocol based on Prolonged Exposure Therapy (mPE), has been developed, consisting of three to five once or twice weekly 60 minutes sessions, and studies indicate that if implemented early after rape, mPE may prevent the development of PTSD. The aim of the study is to conduct a multi-site (4 Sexual assault care centers in Norway) randomized control trial (RCT) in which patients are recruited early after rape, and randomized to intervention (mPE) or treatment as usual (TAU).

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

* Women ≥ 16 years of age
* attending after a trauma meeting the DSM V trauma definition criterion "sexual violation" (in this context, characterized by penetration in any body orifice, by penis, finger, foreign body, but also attempted penetration leading to a sufficient mental reaction, helplessness, without control, intense fear etc.)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \< 16 years
* male biological gender
* cognitive disability
* acute psychosis
* acute suicidal
* severe alcohol/drug abuse
* current treatment for PTSD
* non-Norwegian speaking
* total amnesia for the event

Conditions11

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