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Sexual violence is pervasive and generates significant trauma symptoms that can last a lifetime for survivors. Rape crisis centers provide critically important services for survivors of child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault, including individual and group counseling. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) has been found to be an effective treatment for a wide array of trauma symptoms in both children and adults. This study sought to determine the extent to which rape crisis centers use EMDR therapy, practitioners' perceptions of EMDR, and the provider characteristics that might support or hinder implementation of EMDR in this setting. A statewide web-based survey generated responses from 76 counselors working within 47 rape crisis centers. Results indicate that there is a low-use rate of EMDR (8%) in this setting, perceptions of EMDR were predominately marked by uncertainty, reflecting a lack of familiarity, but there is strong interest in receiving training. The desire for training is complicated by the range of education levels of counseling staff in rape crisis centers with only 54% holding advanced degrees. There is an opportunity and need to build capacity for the implementation of EMDR in this vital service sector, but there are also significant challenges that will need to be addressed.
Keywords: eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy; rape crisis centers; provider perceptions; implementation research
Within the United States, 1 of every 5 women (18.3%) has been raped within her lifetime, which includes nearly 22 million women (Black et al., 2011). The first completed rape typically occurred before age 25 years for most female victims (79.6%) and for 42% before age 18 years (Black et al., 2011). Systematic reviews of the health effects of childhood sexual abuse and rape reveal a broad range of behavioral, social, psychological, and physical health problems that greatly impact the everyday lives of victims (Bohn & Holz, 1996; Wilson, 2010). Survivors of sexual assault often feel a need to move to a new residence, may employ safety rituals for up to 2 years following the rape, and may have difficulty with normal daily activities and routines (Bohn & Holz, 1996). Social ramifications include difficulty trusting people, extreme limit setting, sexual impairment, difficulties in intimate partner relationships, and being more vulnerable to subsequent victimization (Bohn...