Sexual revictimisation risk mitigation among survivors of sexual violence and trafficking: A multi-method feasibility study of a body-oriented treatment module

Abstract

Background: The majority of sexual violence survivors become sexually revictimised, and migrant populations are at particular risk. Prior research indicates that limited body awareness, dissociation, and difficulties in communicating boundaries might be underlying mechanisms of sexual revictimisation. Mental healthcare disregarding sexual revictimisation may insufficiently address the population’s needs. Aims: In the current study, a novel individually delivered body-oriented module was considered for its feasibility amongst migrant survivors of sexual violence and trafficking. Method: Thirteen migrant sexual violence survivors engaged in the module in an outpatient mental health care setting in the Netherlands. A multi-method approach was applied to tap into patients’ and therapists’ perspectives on the feasibility of the module using pre-, during, and posttreatment questionnaires, evaluation forms, and (group) interviews. Results: Patients and therapists reported treatment outcomes by the module’s aims, and treatment adherence was high. Bayesian informative hypothesis evaluation revealed that, for seven out of 12 patients (58.33%), body awareness, and self-efficacy in communicating boundaries increased, while body dissociation simultaneously decreased during treatment. Discussion: Findings suggest that a body-oriented module for sexual revictimisation risk mitigation is feasible amongst migrant survivors. Given the small sample size and lack of a control group, the findings should be interpreted cautiously.