HJBR Jul/Aug 2024

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF BATON ROUGE I  JUL / AUG 2024 27 Maltreatment & Trauma 20, issue 2 (Feb. 23, 2011): 199-226. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.201 1.546754 2 Caswell, R. J.; Ross, J. D.; Lorimer, K. “Measuring experience and outcomes in patients reporting sexual violence who attend a healthcare setting: a systematic review.” Sexually Transmitted Infec- tions 95, issue 6 (June 19, 2019): 419-427. 3 Raj, A.; Johns, N.E.; Kalysha, C.; et al. “Louisiana Violence Experiences Survey (LaVEX) 2023.” Newcomb Institute, Tulane University and Center on Gender Equity and Health, University of Cali- fornia San Diego, 2023. https://newcomb.tulane. edu/LaVEX 4 Hegarty, K.; Tarzia, L. (2019). “Identification and Management of Domestic and Sexual Violence in Primary Care in the #MeToo Era: an Update.” Cur- rent Psychiatry Reports 21, article 12 (Feb. 8, 2019): 1-8. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-0991-6 5 Martin, S. L.; Young, S. K.; Billings, D. L.; Bross, C. C. “Health Care-Based Interventions for Women Who Have Experienced Sexual Violence: A Review of the Literature.” Trauma, Violence and Abuse 8, issue 1 (January 2007): 3-18. doi: https://doi. org/10.1177/1524838006296746 6 McMillan, L. (2023). “Understanding sexual vio- lence and the implications for practice.” Obstet- rics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine 33, issue 12 (Oct. 7, 2023): 337-340. doi: https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ogrm.2023.09.001 of care, but this is not standard or required training in most health training institutes or continuing education programs. 5 Provider training curricula that provide up-to-date, evidence-based assessment tools and pro- tocols for sensitive, discreet, and trauma- informed care can greatly support those who have experienced sexual violence. 6 Combating sexual violence requires care- ful and sensitive intervention across mul- tiple fronts — judicial, health, and societal. Existing systems in Louisiana are working to address the issue, but much more needs to be done. Health systems and providers can be a vital link to screen for sexual violence, to provide adequate support and care to those who need it, and to offer prevention information and assessment to youth to pri- oritize earlier-in-life risk reduction. n REFERENCES 1 Probst, D. R.; Turchik, J. A.; Zimak, E. H.; Huck- ins, J. L. “Assessment of sexual assault in clinical practice: Available screening tools for use with dif- ferent adult populations.” Journal of Aggression, "Healthcare providers are in a unique position to support those experiencing sexual violence, despite the low rates of health-seeking post experiences of sexual violence. They serve as points of contact throughout a woman’s life, can maintain confidentiality, and can offer supportive referrals to counselors, social workers, and rape crisis and domestic violence programming. The importance of the role of providers cannot be overstated, as they are often in a position as a first- line support to those who have experienced this violence."