Web resource:	http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-78650771445&partnerID=40&md5=6872fed7a594353597995d27a42e41c7
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Listening to mental health workers' experiences: Factors influencing their work with women who disclose sexual assault
Other Titles:	International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Authors:	McLindon, E Harms, L
Year:	2011
Citation:	No 1 Vol.: 20
Notes:	Women are overrepresented within mental health service-use statistics, and a disproportionate number of them have experienced sexual assault. While mental health workers are often the first point of contact between these women and the mental health system, within the research to date, women have often reported a negative experience of disclosing sexual assault to these workers. This article presents findings from an exploratory Australian study. The aim of the study was to explore factors that influenced how mental health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Service (CATS) workers respond to women who disclose sexual assault in crisis service settings. Fifteen CATS workers were surveyed and the predominantly qualitative data were then analysed using thematic analysis. This article presents two key findings: (i) the majority of participants had not experienced adequate sexual assault training, and seven of the 15 did not feel well equipped to respond to a disclosure of sexual assault; and (ii) they rarely consulted or referred women to specialist sexual assault services, despite recognizing the significant impact of sexual assault on mental health functioning. Recommendations are made for training and increased communication between mental health and sexual assault service systems to ensure better outcomes for women. © 2011 The Authors. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing © 2011 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc. Cited By (since 1996):1Export Date: 23 July 2013Source: Scopus
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/15648
Physical description:	Pages 2-11
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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