NCJ Number
176521
Date Published
1998
Length
243 pages
Annotation
This book examines the problem of sexual abuse by health professionals.
Abstract
The book was written by a woman psychiatrist who was sexually abused as a child and then sexually and emotionally abused while a psychiatric patient. The author gives details of her own experiences and reflects on the experiences of other victims of sexual exploitation by health professionals. The book describes what constitutes sexual abuse and exploitation by a health professional, the process, vulnerability and risk factors and the aftermath. Victims are usually left with feelings of shame, major difficulties with respect to trust, and a reluctance or inability to seek further health care or therapy. In addition to the problem of finding an appropriate and knowledgeable therapist, victims frequently have no community support. The public thinks they should have known better and views them as merely having had affairs with the health professionals. Those victims who make public complaints are sometimes assumed to be vindictive fortune-hunters who are besmirching the reputations of innocent professionals. The book emphasizes the importance to victims' healing of understanding and support from friends, relatives, the community and other professionals. Notes, references, index